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My son has a lot of car toy collections from die-cast vehicles, miniature cars, plastic cars, to remote-controlled cars. He has a Match box, a Tomica, Hot Wheels and even Maisto die cast vehicles. He also has a Cararama and Kinsmart die cast metal and scale model cars.

My son has been collecting cars for almost 3 years now. He even has collected cheap China plastic cars which until now are stored in cardboard boxes at home. All the damaged and old plastic cars are stored in cardboard boxes as he still doesn’t want to throw them away yet.

Buying your first car is like being a first time parent to your new born baby. You must provide proper tender loving care and full time maintenance if you want your car to last for a long period of time. I have not yet considered myself to be a car expert but my insights are coming from learning from my grandfather who once owned a car shop before plus having my first car a few years ago.

There are few but important parts to maintain. First, check your brakes. They are most important for your safety. Second, the engine and electrical system should have a regular engine check up and oil change. Third, ensure that your cooling system is fine to avoid overheat. Fourth, learn the proper way of using your air condition because aairconditioning system is one of the most expensive parts to be repaired if malfunctioning happens. Lastly, learn preventive maintenance to prolong the lifespan of your car. One way is to get the best car insurance company keep you assured and leave you with less worry when driving.

I was searching for the old Buick model car that I saw in the recent 2008 Trans Sport Show. Having to find out because my digital camera don’t focus that good enough unlike DSLR camera that I have before so I have a little blurry photos of it. Thanks that in my searching I was able to find Don Bagsit Multiply website where I was amazed about the entire picture he took during the 2008 Trans Sport Show. He also permitted me to use some of them for my future post.

I like vintage cars so much and if I have enough money, I will collect some more of it too. So one of the cars that captured me during the Car Show was the Buick Eight but I am not sure if the model displayed there is the 1952 Buick Eight Sedan because what I know the Buick Eight series model started in 1931 - 35. (Correct me if I’m wrong).

According to Wikipedia Buick originated as an independent motor car manufacturer, the Buick Motor Company, incorporated on May 19, 1903 by the Scottish-American David Dunbar Buick (who invented the overhead valve engine on which the company’s success was based) in Detroit, Michigan. Later that year, the struggling company was taken over by James H. Whiting (1842-1919), who moved it to his hometown of Flint, Michigan and brought in William C. Durant in 1904 to manage his new acquisition. Buick sold his stock for a small sum upon departure, and died in modest circumstances twenty-five years later.

Durant was a natural, and Buick soon became the largest car maker in America. Using the profits from this, Durant embarked on a series of corporate acquisitions, calling the new mega-corporation General Motors.

Now Buick is a marquee of automobile only sold in the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, and Israel by General Motors Corporation. The name is pronounced /ˈbjuːɪk/. Since the demise of Oldsmobile in 2004, it is GM’s only North America-based entry-level luxury brand.

So lucky if we can have Buick car now in the Philippines. Maybe if you have a lot of money and friends inside Bureau of Customs (but only if rumors are true) we might be able to obtain smuggled ones.

I was searching for a website about vintage car models displayed in the recent 2008 Trans Sport Show when I happened to passed by an old forum where there is a photo of 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.

I remember my beloved grandfather told me a story about the car he was driving before, and always heard from him about the Impala, being born in 75’s and living in a province I never saw an old car. The only vehicle I remember then was original Jeep Wrangler and Jeepney, just wondering what Impala and just found out that from 1958 until 1965, the Impala was Chevrolet’s most expensive full-size car.

Just followed by the mid-range Chevy Bel Air, Bel Airs are among the most recognizable American cars of all time. The Chevrolet Bel Air is an automobile series produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1953-75. From 1950-52, hardtops in Chevrolet’s premium deluxe model range was designated with the Bel Air name, but it was not a distinct series of its own.

Now Bel Air is highly sought after by enthusiasts. Roomy, fuel-efficient, and with tastefully restrained use of tail fins and chrome, they are seen by many as vastly superior to the oversized and over-decorated full-size models. I wonder if there are still Chevy Bel Air cars being rebuilt or revived as of the present time.

I was shocked and fascinated when I saw the recent 2008 Trans Sport Show showcasing timeless cars which I and my son attended last week. Imagine only 2,048 units were manufactured and maybe distributed world wide. I never thought we have that in the Philippines.

Think about this: prformance muscle car from 1967 Mercury Cougar tail light panel minus the chrome trim, a flip-up spoiler, and two sets of air scoops on each side. This was also the first American car to feature a factory roll bar.

Another is a series of Ford Mustangs specially modified by Carroll Shelby’s company and sold as a series. A 428-in³ (7 L) big-block V8 pumping out well over 350 bhp where the early Shelby Mustangs were very competition oriented This is also one of the most famous Shelby Mustangs. A modified GT500 clone, known as “Eleanor“, was featured alongside Nicholas Cage in the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds.

Retail price in 1967:
Shelby GT500: $4,195
Power disc brakes: $63.77
Power steering: $84.47
Shoulder harness: $50.76
Select-O-Matic transmission: $50.00
Air conditioner, SelectAire: $356.09
Exhaust emission control system: $45.45 Closed crankcase emission system: $5.19 Fold-down rear seat (mandatory): $64.77 Radio, AM push-button: $57.51
Deluxe wheels: $185.00
Rallye stripe: $34.95

Price today range from $90K for a restorable derelict upward to $200K for a vehicle with a proper provenance and race history.

Yesterday my son and I attended the 2008 Trans Sport Show, the country’s premier and longest running automotive event at the Megatrade Hall, Bldg B SM Megamall, Bldg B., Ortigas Center. The show will run from April 16-20, 2008.  Even though I was not feeling well because I was having a bad headache brought about by flu I got last Monday (we got hit by the rain after renewing car registration). But because I have promise Kyle to be there so we went there anyway.

 The Trans Sport show showcases new car models that was modified and upgraded as well as vintage cars, the ribbon was cut by Secretary of Environment Lito Atienza. But what captured my attention the most is the Mustang GT 500 that was featured in the movie “Italian Job” I was surprised that we have that kind of car here in the Philippines. Maybe I could feature all the cars that was displayed there in my new Suplado Info.

 We are planning to be there again this Sunday because we have not spent to much time yesterday because since it was yet the first day. Other cars are not yet ready for display other are still covered. I will post the latest here in my next article.

Photos… Here

Related Article…Here

My son Kyle loves cars so much. He has a steady supply of Top Gear and C! Magazines each month since Jan 2006 and some back issues of Top Gear from 2005 to 2004 courtesy of his parents’ allocated budget for these. He also has some American car magazines too, like automobile, NASCAR and trucks magazine. Not to mention that he also has other collectible car books which we got from book sales.His passion for automobiles started when he saw the movie “Cars” when he was a year and a half years old. At the age of 3 he already knows all car brands from Japanese, American, European and other luxury cars through their logos. I remember every time he’d have a new magazine he would scan it and ask me what that car is, almost everyday every time we are in our bed. I also remember buying him American Car Buyer’s Guide Magazine which features almost all the cars in the world. It would take tons of patience when a very curious little kid will ask, I remind myself when I’d get irritated because I couldn’t take some nap because he would always ask me about every featured car in every page.

He was able to obtain the 2007 C! Buyer’s Guide Magazine which featured all cars in the Philippines. He has a collection of Hot Wheels Matchbox, Tomica die cast car and even Miasto. He has The Cars books, those containing Cars’ characters, Mugs, Pillow, and calendar of Lightning McQueen which her aunt Danet bought him from the States. And if you are to make him choose between going to a children’s playground or a car exhibit, he will choose to go to the car exhibit. Even if we are in a bookstore he will seek the Automobiles section rather than children books.

At the age of three, Kyle was featured in the August 2007 Edition of Top Gear Philippines’ Letter of the Month.