Restoration, Rebuild & Customization Contest Winners

CoolRidesOnline: Thanks for the Memories Series

Two weeks ago we asked to see the Before & After shots of your restored, rebuilt or otherwise customized rides in the last installment of the CoolRidesOnline: Thanks for the Memories Contest!!!  We tip our hats to the Start Your Engines!® Brand manager (Kevin) for choosing such a fun topictopic!

Per the contest rules, we had to select five runner-ups to receive product prizes and only one winner to receive product, apparel and a $100 gift card.  It was very difficult to select a winner since we received so many amazing entriesbut here are the results!

Our 5 runner-ups who will receive product prizes are:

MPBGT – 1953 Willys CJ3A Restoration

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Featured Member of the Week: JustJim

For the Week of: 5/7/12

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m 74 years old and happily married. We are both members of AACA-Ohio Region Western Reserve Chapter.
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The Top Three Corvette Models of All-Time

Early this April, Dick Clark, the renowned TV host famous for bringing rock 'n' roll to American living rooms and for counting down the end of each calendar year with "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," passed away at 82 years old. For many, this marked the end of an era, especially since Clark was one of the most storied broadcasters of all time.

The 1962 Coupe de Ville can bring out the Don Draper in you

On March 25, the cast of "Mad Men" was back in full force on AMC, returning for another season full of complex characters, expertly crafted sets and plot lines packed with mystery and intrigue. And while the show routinely delves into all of the complexities of the '60s, including alcoholism, homophobia, adultery and sexism, it also succeeds at being a moving love letter to certain aspects of the past.

Looking for a job?: SEMA has top auto industry positions listed

As a lifetime car lover, you may have thought about quitting your day job, driving off in your classic Mustang and pursuing your dream job in the automotive industry. However, before you fill up the tank and pack your belongings into those snug rear seats, you may want to research the kind of positions that are often available.

Trucks to roar back in 2012, SEMA says

In recent weeks, new reports have indicated that the gas-powered engine is triumphing again with buyers at the marketplace. For example, readers may remember our story on the shrinking percentage of previous hybrid owners that are reportedly returning to dealerships to make the same purchase. 

The 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409: She’s still fine

Everyone loves a bargain. That's why at beaches across the country, there always seems to be someone with a metal detector and why out-of-towners make the journey every week to yard sales. After all, as Antiques Roadshow can attest, there's really nothing better than paying $5 for a painting that turns out to be a famous (and valuable) work of art.

Cool Rides Online website updates

What are they and what do they mean?

Hello friends,

As many of you have noticed, the entire Cool Rides Online® website has been going through a complete overhaul.  This is to improve the user experience and increase membership and participation.

We launched the Cool Rides Online Blog in February which has been going great!  We now have new stories posted daily and we will continue to provide the news and entertainment that you enjoy!  I personally love the member of the week stories by Augie and the nostalgia pieces written by Pete featuring iconic cars of yesteryear!

Last week we updated our forum and Showroom gallery to bring it up to speed with today’s technology.  This new software brings with it the following benefits:

1. Videos are now easier to post and share
2. Groups and Clubs are now easier to create and manage
3. The forum now shows members currently online and the newest members to join
4. The New Showroom now has a search feature and is easier to navigate, rate and comment on
5. We also now have a Facebook Connect button that allows anyone with a Facebook account to post on our forum (this should really increase participation since we have almost 30,000 Facebook followers)!

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The right preparations can keep small engines running strong while running on ethanol blended fuels

While many car fanatics view ethanol as a new intruder into the automotive world, ethanol has a long history with the car industry. For example, when Henry Ford designed the first Model T, he originally wanted the car to run on ethanol with gasoline as a secondary fuel.

The third generation Thunderbird was made to look easy

Earlier this month, Jack White, the former guitarist of "The White Stripes" released his first album under his own name, entitled "Blunderbuss." Now, I've always looked forward Jack's endeavors – even when that meant bearing through his experimentations with Tom Jones and Insane Clown Posse – but the new album is a bit of a coming together, pulling strands from his decade of musical experimentation into something that's more well-rounded and smooth, even if it's not as grabbing as some of his exciting early work.