NAPA Know How: Hollywood’s Five Biggest StarsNAPA Know How Blog

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The most memorable movie car mods are the ones that take a classic vehicle and put a unique spin on it, forever linking it with the flick in question in the minds of audiences. Hollywood has a distinguished history of building some of the most eye-catching and iconic automobiles of all time.

Here’s a list of the top five movie car mods and what made them so special:

5. Ecto-1 from “Ghostbusters”

When gearhead/actor Dan Aykroyd came across a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor hearse while scouting final designs for the Ghostbuster’s ride of choice, he knew he’d struck gold. Built by Stephen Dane, “Ecto-1” swapped its casket rack for proton pack storage and featured a bunch of random ghost-busting gear strapped to the roof. But most importantly, it had red fins, flashing lights and the unforgettable Ghostbusters logo plastered on the door. Aykroyd was so enamored of the Cadillac that he ended up buying the hero car for his personal collection once the franchise was done filming.

4. Pursuit Special from “Mad Max”

The “Mad Max” films spawned legions of insane car mods as the film reimagined the world as a post-apocalyptic landscape where gasoline reigned supreme. The Pursuit Special from the first film kicked everything off with its exposed supercharger, all-black livery and the sleek lines of the Ford Falcon XB sitting underneath — an Australia-only model prized for its performance.

3. Lotus Esprit from “The Spy Who Loved Me”

Are there any car mods more extreme than transforming an exotic sports coupe into a full-on submarine? That’s what the props department did in “The Spy Who Loved Me,“ giving Roger Moore’s James Bond an easy escape from the bad guys by outfitting his Lotus Esprit with diving planes where the wheels used to be. Maybe the only Bond car more memorable than the original Aston Martin DB5.

2. Eleanor from “Gone In 60 Seconds”

Say what you will about the aggressive body kit outfitted to the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 in the remake of “Gone In 60 Seconds,” but the centerpiece of the heist film’s caper has spawned a thousand look-alikes, creating an almost cottage industry of car mods designed to replicate its looks. The retro-modern feel of the “Eleanor” Mustang has given birth to perhaps the most successful movie car subculture ever, as copycats show up regularly at national and local muscle car shows.

1. DeLorean DMC-12 from “Back To The Future”

It’s hard to argue that any car mods offered a bigger makeover for a vehicle than what the time machine treatment did for the DeLorean DMC-12 in “Back To The Future.” Before Doc and Marty McFly installed a flux capacitor, hover technology and a host of random tubes and wires to the gull-wing coupe, the DeLorean had faded from memory as a slow and unreliable car-by-committee that never lived up to the hype. After three star turns in a major Hollywood franchise, however, it was suddenly a permanent part of pop culture. In fact, unless you’re a dedicated car nut it’s likely that the only reason you’ve ever heard the name DeLorean is because of the DMC-12’s on-screen fame.

Check out all the maintenance parts available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to get your car into movie star shape, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

 

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NAPA Know How: Best West Coast Road Trips / NAPA Know How Blog

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It’s summertime — the perfect time to explore California in your car! It’s a huge state, so unless you have all summer, you’ll need to pick some highlights. Prepare your car and choose from these best West Coast road trips:

Southern California: San Diego and Orange County

Southern California means “LA” to most people, but if you skip San Diego, you’re missing out. A near-perfect climate, beautiful beaches, great restaurants and shopping, a thriving downtown including the historic Gaslamp District. And there’s 1,200-acre Balboa Park with its museums and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The only drawback to San Diego is that you won’t want to leave.

From San Diego, take Interstate 5 north for an hour. Mission San Juan Capistrano is a great starting point for your Orange County adventure. Built in 1776, it is famed for the annual return of the swallows. Thirty miles on Highway 5 north from there will take you to Disneyland. It’s true what they say — you can’t see it all in one day.

Skipping Disneyland? Take State Route 73 out of San Juan Capistrano until it meets Highway 133, running alongside Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Take 133 to SR 1 and you’re in Laguna Beach, famed for its sea views and vibrant art scene. Stay with Highway 1 and enjoy the laid-back beach vibe of coastal Orange County, the upscale shopping and dining in Newport Beach, the charming village of Balboa Island and its old-school Fun Zone, and the surfer havens of Huntington, Sunset and Seal Beach.

The Central Coast

Rolling hills and oak trees on one side, the Pacific Ocean on the other, with an attitude very different from LA, that’s the Central Coast. Santa Barbara is called “California’s Riviera,” and with good reason. San Luis Obispo is a charming small college city with wonderful food and shopping. Hearst Castle, near San Simeon, is a must-see, as are the elephant seals that bask on the rocks right by Highway 1. Big Sur is where the mountains meet the sea and you’ll never forget the view as you drive across Bixby Bridge.

After Big Sur, you’re minutes away from the lovely village of Carmel-By-The-Sea and the exquisite 17-Mile Drive (there’s a toll) that connects it with Monterey, home of the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium and world-class seafood.

The North Coast

Highway 1 north of San Francisco to Fort Bragg is a trip that will challenge all of your assumptions about California, and that’s why it’s one of the best West Coast road trips. As soon as you cross the Golden Gate Bridge out of San Francisco, you’re in the woods of Marin County. Highway 1 takes you through the Point Reyes National Seashore and up the rugged, unspoiled coast through small towns you’d swear were in New England. The lovely town of Mendocino doubled for Maine in the old “Murder She Wrote” TV show and Fort Bragg is a rough-and-tumble former logging and fishing town.

There’s nothing quite like a summer road trip, but before you head out, make sure you’re prepped for the trip. You should have a tire repair kit in your car, just in case, and all your car’s maintenance should be up to date including the basics like tires, air filters, windshield wipers, and washer fluid.

Check out all the maintenance parts available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to prepare your car for a road trip, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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NAPA Know How: 5 Tips for Long Drives

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Every year, Americans put over 3 trillion miles behind them, enough to drive to Voyager 2 and back almost 300 times. At all hours of the day, short trips and long trips, across town or across the country, drowsy driving is a serious problem. A recent American Automobile Association study calculates nearly 10 percent of car crashes are related to drowsy driving. Considering driving long distances can be mind-bendingly dull, driving while tired can make it difficult to stay awake.

Some of the signs of drowsiness are obvious, such as yawning, frequent blinking, difficulty focusing, or drifting or swaying. Other signs aren’t so obvious because sleep isn’t an on/off switch, but more of a spectrum between fully awake and fully asleep. You might think you’re awake, but if you haven’t had a good night’s rest, part of your brain is likely already asleep! You might jerk awake if you nod off, but many drivers don’t even notice microsleep episodes lasting a few seconds. To keep from nodding off the road, keep in mind these five drowsy driving prevention tips.

1. Rest Well

Be sure to sleep well all of the time, particularly on the days or nights before a long drive. Remember, you never get back the sleep you lose. Getting six to eight hours of sleep is generally suggested and will help you remain attentive during your long drive.

2. Eat Right

Before driving or when on the road, it can be tempting to pick up something quick. Unfortunately, most quick foods are loaded with salt, fat and sugar, which increase drowsiness. Sugar might give you a quick boost, but the crash afterward can be devastating. Instead, choose complex carbs and protein for long-lasting energy.

3. Hydrate

It might be tempting to reach for coffee or energy drinks, but these are only short-term solutions. Like sugary snacks, caffeine crashes are inevitable. Dehydration is the real problem here, so keep a few bottles of water in your vehicle and sip often. True, this will eventually force you out of your car to stretch your legs, but that’s another good way to stay alert.

4. Cat Nap

Don’t worry so much about getting somewhere by a certain hour, or else you might consider leaving even earlier. If you feel yourself nodding off or even if you don’t, pull over in a safe spot and take a 20-minute cat nap. Any shorter and you won’t get enough rest, but any longer and you might wake in the middle of your sleep cycle, feeling even more tired.

5. Share the Wheel

If possible, share the drive with someone else. Having someone to talk with helps keep you awake and focused. Don’t be offended if your driving buddy says you’re drifting a little too often or noticeably tired. Instead, switch drivers for a couple of hours and take a short nap.

We all want to get where we’re going in one piece, whether it’s for work, going on a road trip, visiting family or on vacation, but drowsy driving is a problem that just can’t be underestimated. Getting a good night’s rest and making sure your car is properly outfitted with the right tools for the long haul is really the only way to stay alert on long drives, but the other tips will certainly help.

Check out all the vision and safety products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 16,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on long drives, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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