The automotive industry is an ever-evolving, ever-changing entity, both for manufacturers and consumers. Knowing and predicting trends can lead to huge sales and profits.
This month and next, we will cover a few of the trends I see over the horizon, many of which involve products you can easily sell and install with existing personnel and equipment.
As you likely know by now, baby boomers are retiring and looking forward to spending a great deal of money on cars of the past. So, how can manufacturers and dealers take advantage of this trend? Here’s one idea: bolt-on performance upgrades for cars of the past and present.
First off are the tri-five Chevys (1955 to 1957), which have always been attractive to many people. But, recently, they have gained a heightened status. With 2007 being the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Chevy, GoodGuys Rod & Custom has now opened some of its events to this era and even has a special place set aside to commemorate these cars of yesteryear.
The return of retro-style muscle cars has caused a surge in sales from people buying originals and upgrading them with late-model performance suspensions and components, as well. Global West (globalwest.net), a manufacturer of suspension components, has introduced tubular upper and lower A-arms for the tri-fives based on dealer and consumer demand.
Kevin Doyle, sales and marketing manager for Global West, says, “These new A-arms fit in the stock positions and will work with coil springs, coil-overs or an airbag system. They come complete with billet cross shafts and use the stock ball joints. This way, if you need to replace the ball joint, you can buy one at the local parts store. You don’t have to wait a week for a special part number to be shipped to you.”
Proprietary Del-A-Lum bushings are installed along with grease fittings for a smooth, squeak-free ride. For muscle cars, Global West has a complete line of products, including a new coil-over conversion for 1967 to 1970 Mustangs. The kits can be ordered for a drag race/street application or a road race/street application.
The point I want to make is that these are bolt-on components you can sell and install with your existing resources. After installing these bolt ons, you can add on even more sales with an alignment or go all the way with a tire and wheel package.
And, a little marketing goes a long way when you start installing these products. Take before-and-after pictures, and get a comment from the vehicle owner to post on your Web site. Take a few of these products to local car shows and events. Be knowledgeable and hold clinics to explain how these components improve not only handling but the aesthetics of the vehicle, as well.
Complementing the new control arms, QA-1 (qa1.net) has introduced a line of shocks that allow for double adjustment.
Imagine having 24 adjustment positions for both compression and rebound. This equates to 576 possible combinations to dial in most any vehicle. Ride to the track in comfort with a streetable setting, get out, turn a couple of knobs, and set the car up for drag racing or road racing. Then, finish the day and return the settings back to the original comfort settings for the ride home.
This double-adjustable application was originally designed for street rods and customs, including the previously mentioned Chevys, but has grown to encompass most other applications. These include coil-over conversions for muscle cars and light trucks, which allow not only for adjustable dampening but adjustable ride height, too.
Another company, Speed Direct (speeddirect.com), has developed an aluminum A-arm for 1963 to 1982 Corvettes.
This new A-arm is four pounds lighter than stock and provides better geometry for more positive caster settings and improved roll center for handling. It is available in natural or polished styles, and the kit comes complete with A-arms and single- or double-adjustable coil-overs from manufacturers such as QA1 or AFCO. There are two spring rates available: one for big blocks and another for small blocks. The lower A-arms are in the works, and a rear coil-over conversion kit was just introduced last month.
Taking this a step further, Speed Direct manufacturers its own Steeroids brand rack-and-pinion conversion kit to fit mid-year Corvettes and other popular 1960s and 1970s muscle cars. These are bolt-in parts, so no welding or fabricating is involved. You rebuild front ends every day, so why not offer one of these?
Next, KW Automotive (kwautomotive.com) offers several components under its Suspension Techniques brand for late-model and muscle-car applications that include heavy-duty stock replacement springs, one-inch-lowered springs, shocks, coil-overs and sway bars up to a massive 1-3/8 inches in diameter!
Remember, a larger sway bar does not necessarily mean better handling. Sway bars need to be matched to the spring rate and dampening of the shock. A stiff sway bar can actually pull the inside tire off the ground and reduce the contact patch in a hard corner.
Lastly, Progress Group (progressauto.com) introduced competition-series coil-overs, sport springs and a rear sway bar for the new Honda Fit. The coil-overs provide 2.5-inch ride height adjustments for a really tight look. We featured this car last month and discussed its appeal. The Fit will be what the Civic was a decade ago, so be ready to upgrade a lot of these.
Next month, we’ll see what’s going on in the truck market.
