Mr. Moneybags asked:


Did you ever sit there and just wonder how did the richest people in the world get so rich?

We have Bill Gates (Microsoft) with $50 billion, Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) with $40 billion, Lawrence Ellison (Oracle) with $27 billion, the Walton family with $21.5 billion and not to mention the mighty Mr. Moneybags (that would be me) whose net worth is so large that any calculator in the world would simply explode just by trying to fit all those numbers onto one screen.

Let me tell you a little secret: Bill Gates didn’t make that $50 billion from selling bits of string (or computer software for that matter) nor did the Walton family make all their cash from selling mountains of discounted Tupperware (or whatever it is that Wal-Mart sells). I can also guarantee you that there weren’t any (or at least, not that many) shady business deals going on in dark allies next to any dumpsters. All these people made their massive riches through the little gift from the deepest, darkest depths of Rich Man’s Heaven known as compound interest.

What is compound interest you ask? Well, Albert Einstein describes compound interest as the most powerful force in the universe.

Yes, you read that correctly. Not radioactive congenial congruently concentrated vernacular waves, not subatomic dilating hydrogen splitting atomic protons and not even the deadly hydro-synthesizing corrugating sub-congenial metamorphosing radian. He said compound interest.

So, how could the man that was fundamental to the development of the second deadliest weapon (after my fists) the world has ever seen (a.k.a. the atomic bomb) call something that can never harm a fly be the most powerful force in the universe?

You’re going to have to understand what compound interest is in the first place.

Compound interest is making profits on top of profits on top of other profits and so on. As simply as it can be described, it is generating earnings from previous earnings. Before your head explodes, let me formulate it into something a little more tangible:

The story of compound interest

Let’s say your dear old Uncle Bert takes one too many trips to his local buffet and his intestines implode rendering him six feet under a short while after. In a weird twist of fate/luck/insurance fraud you find yourself inheriting a million bucks. You have the following options:

a) Buy a (large) house

b) Buy twenty Corvettes

c) Buy four million sticks of gum

d) Do something useful

Let’s assume you chose option “d”, do something useful – you start your own business. You take the money and you build a stable and start breeding Equestrian racing horses (don’t ask me why, you’re the one that decided to do this, not me). At the end of the year you find that you have made a tidy $300,000 net profit (a 30% rate of return). Instead of spending the proceeds on hookers and booze you decide to reinvest the money back into your business like a good entrepreneur – so now you have $1,300,000 invested in your business.

A year later you find that your rate of return is 30% again –only this time you make $390,000, not $300,000. You made $300,000 from the $1,000,000 and another $90,000 from the $300,000. Let’s say you decide to reinvest these new proceeds back into the business like last year – now you have $1,690,000 invested in the business.

Next year you make another 30% off of your investment – an extra $507,000. You reinvest it and your business is now worth $2,197,000.

I can go on, but I think (or at least, hope) you get the point.  This is what it means to make profits off of your profits.

Oh, and how much do you think that initial investment of $1 million will be worth ten years later growing at the constant rate of 30% a year? $10.6 million. In 27 years it will be just under $1 billion dollars.

And that, my friends is how the richest people in the world got so rich.

By the way, investing in the stock market works the exact same way – that’s how my uncle’s mother’s cousin’s grandfather’s niece’s husband’s nephew, Warren Buffett got so rich (currently the second richest person in the world) and is the predominant source of my income (investing and compound interest, not Warren Buffett).

As I mentioned earlier, the beauty of investing is that your rate of return doesn’t depend on your business skills, but instead on others’ business skills.

A Few Numbers

Let’s have a look-see at what your initial investment of $10,000 can turn into after a few years growing at a rate of return of 30%:

Year 1: $10,000.00

Year 2: $13,000.00

Year 3: $16,900.00

Year 4: $21,970.00

Year 5: $28,561.00

Year 6: $37,129.30

Year 7: $48,268.09

Year 8: $62,748.52

Year 9: $81,573.07

Year 10: $106,044.99

Year 11: $137,858.49

Year 12: $179,216.04

Year 13: $232,980.85

Year 14: $302,875.11

Year 15: $393,737.64

Year 16: $511,858.93

Year 17: $665,416.61

Year 18: $865,041.59

Year 19: $1,124,554.07

Year 20: $1,461,920.29

Year 21: $1,900,496.38

Year 22: $2,470,645.29

Year 23: $3,211,838.88

I’d say that’s not bad – all done without leaving your chair! A lot of you will be somewhat awestruck as to how I can possibly suggest a 30% rate of return – but I assure you, making 30% returns is completely average. My stock portfolio is currently making a return of 144% - and if I can achieve returns like that then anyone can.

Also, just to see what’s out there, let’s see what your initial $10,000 investment could have grown into if it were sitting in a savings account at a bank (nowadays the interest rate you get is around 1% but let’s be generous and assume an interest rate of 3%):

Year 1: $10,000.00

Year 2: $10,300.00

Year 3: $10,609.00

Year 4: $10,927.27

Year 5: $11,255.09

Year 6: $11,592.74

Year 7: $11,940.52

Year 8: $12,298.74

Year 9: $12,667.70

Year 10: $13,047.73

Year 11: $13,439.16

Year 12: $13,842.34

Year 13: $14,257.61

Year 14: $14,685.34

Year 15: $15,125.90

Year 16: $15,579.67

Year 17: $16,047.06

Year 18: $16,528.48

Year 19: $17,024.33

Year 20: $17,535.06

Year 21: $18,061.11

Year 22: $18,602.95

Year 23: $19,161.04

Now do you see the value of investing in the stock market?

What if you don’t have a lot of money to invest?

If you don’t have millions of dollars to invest (or even a few thousand) all hope is not lost. Although it is true that it’s better to invest a large chunk of money at once (mainly due to commissions {more on that later} as well as due to market timing), investing small amounts of money periodically is better than nothing.

Here are some numbers that will help you sleep at night:

If you invest one dollar a day ($365 a year) starting today, growing at a rate of return of 30% a year, you end up with: a bit over $20,000 in ten years, a tad under $300,000 in twenty years and over $4 million in thirty years – or you can buy a chocolate bar a day for the next thirty years, be $11,000 poorer and be 730 pounds heavier.

If you invest $100 a month ($1200 a year) growing at 20% annually, you will have $37,850 in ten years, a bit under $270,000 in twenty years and just over $1.7 million in thirty years.

If you invest $300 a month ($3600 a year) growing at 25% annually, you will have $150,000 in ten years, a bit over $1.5 million in twenty years and $14.5 million in thirty years.

Of course, as I mentioned earlier, the rates of return mentioned above are averages and there will always be down years where you aren’t able to make nearly as high of a return – then again there will also be years you will make returns many times more than that.

Closing Thoughts

The most important thing to remember about the stock market is that the longer your money is invested, the more it grows thanks to compound interest. That’s why it’s so important to start investing your money as early as possible, especially when you see by how much your money grows in the later years.

It’s also important to remember, investing doesn’t have to be a full time job. You can still keep your lucrative job as a potato peeler and do what you love; your money will still be working for you. Of course, it takes some time to research the stocks you are going to buy and then a few hours out of your week to keep up with the latest news.

Then again, it’s better than mowing lawns or sweeping floors.



Scented Candles To Spice Up Your Home

mitsudriver34 asked:


I have a 1985 corvette 4sp and i blew ther motor. I haven’t ever swapped vette motors before, so i was wondering if a motor out of a auto vette would fit into my 4sp vette? Will it need any extra parts?

Cable Lighting Fixtures

bettyfricketd44 asked:


December always brings about one of the biggest confusions that man kind has ever faced. What gift to buy for Christmas? Everyone wants to be different each year and not buy some run of the mill object. And if they have a long list of people to gift, their worries only multiply. IF you have the time to spare, you can find lots of different and unique gift ideas online. There are many stores that specialise in producing gifts and gift ideas that are rare. Unique gifts ideas are great as a gift for a person you are close to like family or friends.Most such gifting stores have websites and comprehensive catalogues for gift ideas. You can choose from the options, the kind of gift that suits you budget and requirements. With the stress on environmental friendliness and pollution, some unique gifting ideas would be products made from recycled materials. For example, an American company, makes products like bags, accessories and display items that have been salvaged from old rare cars like Corvettes, or Dodges. If the person you are gifting for is a car buff, he or she will surely appreciate such a gesture. Everyone wants to be different each year and not buy some run of the mill object. And if they have a long list of people to gift, their worries only multiply. IF you have the time to spare, you can find lots of different and unique gift ideas online. There are many stores that specialise in producing gifts and gift ideas that are rare. Unique gifts ideas are great as a gift for a person you are close to like family or friends.

If you decide to tread down the alternate path, the internet is quite the one stop solution. Most such gifting stores have websites and comprehensive catalogues for gift ideas. You can choose from the options, the kind of gift that suits you budget and requirements. With the stress on environmental friendliness and pollution, some unique gifting ideas would be products made from recycled materials. For example, an American company, makes products like bags, accessories and display items that have been salvaged from old rare cars like Corvettes, or Dodges. If the person you are gifting for is a car buff, he or she will surely appreciate such a gesture. Everyone wants to be different each year and not buy some run of the mill object. And if they have a long list of people to gift, their worries only multiply. IF you have the time to spare, you can find lots of different and unique gift ideas online. There are many stores that specialise in producing gifts and gift ideas that are rare. Unique gifts ideas are great as a gift for a person you are close to like family or friends.

You can also find items like table clocks, or pen stands made from vegetable waste, or paper waste. There items are usually hand painted and decorated, sporting colourful livery. Such unique gift ideas will surely go a long way in making your gifts stand out. Everyone wants to be different each year and not buy some run of the mill object. And if they have a long list of people to gift, their worries only multiply. IF you have the time to spare, you can find lots of different and unique gift ideas online. There are many stores that specialise in producing gifts and gift ideas that are rare. Unique gifts ideas are great as a gift for a person you are close to like family or friends.Most such gifting stores have websites and comprehensive catalogues for gift ideas. You can choose from the options, the kind of gift that suits you budget and requirements. With the stress on environmental friendliness and pollution, some unique gifting ideas would be products made from recycled materials. For example, an American company, makes products like bags, accessories and display items that have been salvaged from old rare cars like Corvettes, or Dodges. If the person you are gifting for is a car buff, he or she will surely appreciate such a gesture. Everyone wants to be different each year and not buy some run of the mill object. And if they have a long list of people to gift, their worries only multiply. IF you have the time to spare, you can find lots of different and unique gift ideas online. There are many stores that specialise in producing gifts and gift ideas that are rare. Unique gifts ideas are great as a gift for a person you are close to like family or friends.



Designer Scented Candles

Bcam asked:


Can someone give me an estimate on how much I should get back for my Corvette if I do a trade in? Its a 95′, 90650 miles on it, aqua colored, good condition, everything works on it. I dont know if this makes a difference but we bought it for $12,000

Gas Furnace Reviews

Dave Text asked:


When you think of a car that is born tough, incredibly masculine and delivers high-performance, actually you are thinking of a muscle car. All these attributes and many such others are known to be a part of the classic muscle car, and those who own one can readily agree with all the above. Since a long time, the muscle cars are thought t be some of the classic examples of the era when American automobile production had reached its peak.

These classic American cars, with all their sensual aerodynamic design and remarkable suitability for events such as drag racing, have helped them to attain a fame that has earned it a place in the history. Moreover, these cars are regarded as one of the signature vehicle design movements of modern automobile history.

The design of the classic American muscle car is all about power and appearance blended together to produce a stunning vehicle. It is contrary to the conception that classic muscle car emphasized power over appearance. A look at the classic muscle car can stop you in your tracks and a drive will take you to a different world.

And this is why the American muscle cars developed a craze among car enthusiasts. Looking at the design elements of the muscle cars, you will find that these vehicles have bigger engines than conventional cars, and are in fact bigger than the average sports car, and are bounded by the toughness of the frame that other cars can only envy. A typical Muscle car is the one which is made in the years between 1964 to 1973.

Among the most popular models of the American muscle cars are the Dodge Charger, the Chevrolet El Camino, and the Plymouth Road Runner and the Ford Mustang. In addition to these cars the Ford Fairlane 500, Ford Torino, the Mercury Montego, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, Pontiac GTO, Firebird, and Tempest, Olds 442, American Javelin, Plymouth ‘Cuda, and Dodge Challenger and the Charger are some of the highly adored American Muscle cars. Presently, the only Mustang and Corvette have retained their designs whereas the Dodge Charger has restructured as a four door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

The American muscle cars won the record of topping the popularity charts just after their brief introduction to the market. The market penetrating factor was the popularity the racing trend among the youth, which was the only emerging segment in terms of spending power at that time.

Riding on the racing euphoria, the muscle car manufacturing companies began to design tougher cars that appealed to the sense of aesthetics that the youths had and combined it with technical and performance features that made them suited for street racing.

Meanwhile the implementation of the new designs and technical upgrades resulted in doubling the costs of the car, many companies eventually developed “budget muscle” models that compromised some of the performance and design aspects in favor of reducing costs. This was the right move as of now, both the classic muscle car and budget muscle car designs were accepted into the market and began to drive their way into the American youth’s mind.



Outdoor Bamboo Fountain

Jamar Mcneil asked:


In 1967 Valentino Balboni was hired as a Lamborghini test driver. We’ve mentioned him in the pages of Road & Track on more than one occasion. Our Design Director Richard Baron remembers him clearly as the young Italian who managed to drive a Countach while sitting on its open door sill. Valentino has given thrill rides to many of us over the years. He’s the classic Italian who does everything with flair and, in this case, tire smoke. We all love tire smoke, and he’s a master.

That Lamborghini would honor him with a special edition of the Gallardo, the most successful Lamborghini of all time, is no surprise. Nor is the fact that they built this 250 limited edition model as a rear-wheel-drive drift-car special. (This not only saves weight, but allows for the ultimate power slides and tire smoke.)

The 550-2 identifies the mid-mounted V-10 making roughly 550 horsepower; the 2, the fact that the car is rear drive. Don’t let the numbers fool you, the engine is the same as that in the 560-4. The last 560-4 we tested weighed in at 3595 lb. and losing the front-drive portion of the Gallardo’s all-wheel-drive system shaves roughly 550 lb. off the car. To handle the change in balance, custom springs, dampers, roll-bars and tires are incorporated. A limited slip differential and revised stability control system help keep the rear-wheel-drive Lambo on the road even in novice hands. But turn it off and in the hands of a skilled driver like Balboni, the 550-2 is promised to make him smile. The Corsa ESP mode is also set to permit greater drift angles for those who want to have fun, but with a bit of moderation.

One can’t help but wonder if there are any connections to the Audi R8 GT (also rear-drive.) Although the limited run of 250 cars is small, the Lamborghini can be ordered with optional carbon ceramic brakes and e-gear transmission. The list price of $219,800 is only slightly higher than the last 560-4 we tested and, for those with the skill of Balboni, likely very worth the fun.

The 2010 Chevrolet Corvette lineup gains a new model, the Grand Sport. Chevy’s performance car comes as a coupe and convertible. Both body styles are available in Base and Grand Sport trim levels. Grand Sport replaces the Z51 option package and includes specific styling cues, suspension tuning, brakes, and transmission gearing. These models have a 430-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine. An optional “dual-mode” exhaust system increases horsepower to 436. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. Chevy offers other high-performance Corvette models, the Z06 and ZR1, both available only as coupes. Z06 has a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8, 6-speed manual transmission, specific suspension tuning, tires, and brakes. ZR1 has a supercharged 638-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine and 6-speed manual transmission. ZR1 differs from other Corvettes by its unique suspension tuning and use of lightweight carbon fiber on the hood, roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter, and rocker moldings. All manual-transmission Corvette models incorporate GM’s new Launch Control, which modulates engine speed in order to maximize grip during full-throttle launches. The ZR1 adds a “Performance Traction Management” system, which automatically adjusts the traction control and suspension to suit high-performance driving. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and side airbags. Among the available features are a head-up display, navigation system, and wireless cell phone link.

Absent since the C4’s demise, the Corvette Grand Sport is back for 2010, this time sporting wider Z06 bodywork, larger brakes and the option of either a Coupe or Convertible. Another commemorative sticker package? Not-so-much.

We know what you’re probably thinking and to be perfectly honest, we were thinking it too. This is not another commemorative package, nor is it a sticker package, instead the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport is a bonafide performance package that will help to distinguish the different Corvette models even more so.

Chevrolet’s plan is to rid the lineup of the Z51 package Vettes, instead replacing it with a uniquely designed new Grand Sport model. Everything that you know and love about the Z51 will be here, but now, with the help of new Z06-derived bodywork you won’t be confused with those driving lesser base-model Vettes.

The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 remains, pumping out the same extremely capable 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft or torque (436 horsepower and 428 lb-ft with the optional two-mode sport exhaust) and is easily manipulated to do your bidding through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Sport’s calipers are distinguished by their silver with red lettering and the rotors have been enlarged to Z06-spec, 14-inch with six-piston calipers in front and 13.4-inch with four-piston grabbers in the rear. Also equipped are revised shock/spring settings and heavier duty stabilizer bars. The 2010 Grand Sport rides on unique 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels wrapped in sticky 275/35ZR18 and 325/30ZR19 tires, front and rear.

For those that opt to equip their Grand Sport with the six-speed manual transmission, Chevrolet will throw in a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery. All-in-all, these improvements should net an enthusiastic 2010 Grand Sport driver with a 0.2-second improvement over the existing Z51-model.

The Grand Sport can be equipped in either Coupe or Convertible body styles, but regardless of which you choose, you’ll be rewarded with a wider Z06-style front fascia with a Z06 lower lip spoiler, the only thing missing is the scoop on the nose. Z06-width front fenders replace the stock Vette’s with a Grand Sport badge sitting atop dual vertical gills. The rear fenders have been replaced with Z06 units with functional brake cooling ducts. You can have your Grand Sport in any available Corvette color as well as all four different available trim levels (1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT). A heritage package is also available, adding a pair of dual stripes on the front fenders in either silver or red. The interior features special Grand Sport embroidery on the seat head rests.

The 2010 Corvette Grand Sport is publicly being announced at the 12th annual C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky this weekend. Pricing is yet to be announced, but expect it to be somewhere around current Z51-package pricing. We’ll take ours in Coupe-spec painted in Le Mans Blue (Okay fine, Jet Stream Blue) with the red stripes please.

2010 Ferrari Millechili

What it is: A lightweight two-seater (2200 pounds or even less) loaded with Formula 1 technology. In many ways it will be a successor to the Enzo, but instead of adding power, Ferrari will add lightness. Don’t worry-the Millechili name won’t be making it to production.

Why it’s important: F1 goodies make their way onto a road car. The technology and light weight will make this car spectacularly quick but also fuel efficient.

Platform: A derivative of the F430’s aluminum space frame on a slightly longer, 104.3-inch wheelbase. The mid-engine layout will carry a new V-10 of unknown displacement making upwards of 600 horsepower.

Noteworthy technology: Active aerodynamics will manage airflow over the vehicle, thus reducing drag.

Competition: Not much in sight as the current crop of supercars (Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Murciélago, Mercedes SLR McLaren) are either too heavy or expensive to be considered worthy competitors.

What might go wrong: Not much. The idea of an ultra-lightweight Ferrari sounds plenty good to us.

Estimated arrival and cost: Production is set to begin in 2010. An estimated 300 cars will be built over a couple years. Start saving your Benjamin Franklins as the successor to the Ferrari Enzo will be at least $500,000.

see more at:

http://www.gt2buy.com



Kitchen Cookware Sets

Anil asked:


The way warships are classified tends to be controversial, and there is no set definition for the meaning of a term. Everyone have their own views with their ships. For example Russian destroyers on which I served for many years are known as SNF (Soviet Naval Frigate) in USSR. Since modernisation of navies size of the ship doesn’t matter in classifying the ships. However size was the main factor in the early days in classification. Secondly weapon carried and purpose of ship.

The World’s Navies classifies the ships as follows:

Cruisers: +10,000 tons

Light Cruisers: 5000 to 10,000 tons

Destroyers: 3000 to 4000 tons

Frigates: 1100 to 3000 tons

Corvettes: 500 to 1100 tons

FAC: +25 Knots

Large PC: 100 to 500 tons

Coastal PC: -500 tons

There are, however, some nearly “standard” classifications that can be applied to most major warships. The designations listed here attempt to be “universal” to the greatest degree possible. Keep in mind that many nations chose to “do things their own way” at one time or another. A typical destroyer built during WWII and still in service and would still be classified as a destroyer, but it would be more similar to a modern frigate, corvette or offshore patrol vessel depending on its level of modernization.

In the British Navy the pendent number is written with an alphabet in front which distinguish what type ship it is.

A - Auxiliary

B - Battleship

C - Cruiser

D - Destroyer

F - Frigate

M - Minesweeper

N - Minelayer

R - Aircraft Carrier

S - Submarine

H - Hydrographic Vessel

L - Amphibious Warfare

P - Fast Patrol Boat

Cruisers: Cruisers are an extremely large and varied group.

Guided Missile Cruiser: Modern guided missile cruisers generally have only one of the traditional cruiser roles–they are either offensive or defensive, but not both. Typically offensive ships are equipped with heavy anti-ship missile batteries; defensive ships have anti-aircraft missiles to defend task forces. Neither type is truly capable of independent offensive operations as traditional cruisers were. A few guided missile cruisers have combined the offensive and defensive batteries in one large hull.

Destroyers: The destroyers have seen numerous changes in role over the years, as can be seen from the descriptions below

Definitions based on size comparison (i.e. a destroyer is larger than a frigate but smaller than a cruiser) and displacement have become meaningless in this category and the same will likely happen to the escort classes (corvettes and frigates) in the next two decades.

Destroyer: (DD/DDG(Destroyer /Guided Missile Destroyer) Small, fast, heavily armed escorts intended to protect the battle fleet, Carriers from enemy surface, air or undersea threats, depending on the era. Destroyers originated as “torpedo-boat destroyers”, intended to sink enemy torpedo boats. Anti-submarine warfare was added when submarine became a threat. As aircraft became more important the destroyers added an anti-aircraft role. Destroyers are primarily defensive in nature and generally operate in groups rather than independently. In a modern context, DDs are the major anti-submarine ships and DDGs are anti-aircraft ships, but they retain multi-mission capabilities.

In addition to these defensive capabilities, it can support strike operations with long-range gunfire and land-attack missiles. It is this strike ability, mostly with Tomahawk missiles, that distinguish destroyers from frigates.

Frigates: Frigates are larger than corvettes. They are about the same size or just smaller than. Frigates today are multi-purpose platforms capable of long-range, long-endurance independent low and medium intensity missions. They are with advanced weapons, sensors and computer processing ability to defeat multiple air, surface and subsurface threats simultaneously and surviving in a high intensity environment. Stealth frigates are getting popular in the many navies.

Corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft, although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role.Corvette Small, generally slow escort-type vessel, generally intended for ASW. They are also sufficiently habitable and have the endurance for long-range operations. Best suited for coastal work but sometimes employed as a seagoing vessel. Often seem to be heavily armed for their size, but generally are lacking in things like sensors, electronics, reloads, range and accommodations.

Corvettes have a displacement between 540 and 2,750 long tons (and measure 180-330 feet (55-100 meters) in length. They are usually armed with medium- and small-caliber guns, surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and underwater warfare weapons

FAC: Fast attack craft are smaller than corvettes and distinguishable from similar sized patrol craft by their higher speed (at least 25 knots). They are distinguishable also from inshore vessels by size, being around 50m in length, whereas the smaller craft are 30m or less. Due to their small size, FAC specialise in one discipline and cannot be considered multi-purpose platforms. Most are optimised for surface warfare using missiles and guns, and increasingly rarely, torpedoes.

Battleships: Battleships were the primary warships in the era of ship-to-ship combat with guns. They were equipped with the largest and greatest number of guns possible, and were heavily armored to protect them from similar enemy ships. Battleships were intended to engage in ship-on-ship or fleet-on-fleet combat with forces of enemy battleships. Battleship armor was generally heavy enough to protect the ship against it’s own main armament

Offshore Patrol Vessel: (OPV) Modern classification for vessels similar in purpose to the 3rd class cruisers. Intended for duty in areas requiring presence but not major fighting power. Vessels tend to be optimized for good seakeeping, long range, good accommodations, easy maintenance and reliability. Generally slow and seemingly underarmed for their size

The World’s Navies classifies the ships as follows:

Cruisers: +10,000 tons

Light Cruisers: 5000 to 10,000 tons

Destroyers: 3000 to 4000 tons

Frigates: 1100 to 3000 tons

Corvettes: 500 to 1100 tons

FAC: +25 Knots

Large PC: 100 to 500 tons

Coastal PC: -500 tons

Anil

http://www.yoursuccesshub.com



Fireplace Design Ideas

Gary Witzenburg asked:


dgeable enthusiasts agree that Chevy’s current C6 Corvette is the best ever, and few question that the racer-like limited-production 505-horsepower $75,000 Z06 and the faster-still, and surprisingly refined supercharged 638-horse $108K ZR1 models are the best high-performance sports-car values on the market. But until now, there has been a substantial price gap between the roughly $50K base Corvette and that Z06.

The new 2010 Chevy Grand Sports fill the gap (for just $5-6K premiums above base MSRP) between the most Spartan Vettes and the Z06 and even more expensive ZRI. Chevrolet expects them to account for nearly half of 2010 Corvette sales, and—given their forceful good looks and outstanding performance value—we;see no reason to doubt that prediction.

Purists complain that Corvette V-8s (like Chrysler’s HEMI V-8s), with their single camshaft nestled deep in the center of their blocks driving overhead valves through pushrods and rockers, are inefficient “old tech” compared to other modern engines with camshafts mounted atop their heads. Yet the many advantages of cam-in-block construction—including lower cost and complexity, lower weight and center of gravity, easier build and serviceability and smaller overall size for a given displacement—provide truly notable performance for the money. Few complain about this 6.2-liter non-turbo LS3 V-8’s prodigious power and torque and surprising fuel efficiency (16/26 EPA city/highway mpg) at the Corvette’s fairly affordable price. And if the standard 430 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft. of torque are not sufficient, an optional two-mode exhaust system bumps those impressive numbers to 436 and 428.

Amazingly (at the price), the LS3 engines in six-speed-manual Grand Sports are hand built alongside Z06 and ZR1 V-8s at GM’s Wixom, MI special engine build facility and boast racer-like dry sump lubrication with a remote oil reservoir to prevent oil starvation during extended hard cornering, plus a differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery. Also standard with the six-speed manual is a terrific launch control system that modulates full-throttle torque 100 times per second to maximize available traction. The driver can just stand on the gas and side step the clutch for consistent four-second 0-60 launches.

Grand Sport Corvettes roll on large (275/35ZR18 front, 325/30ZR19 rear) high-performance tires on unique alloy wheels with Z06-size brakes: front 14-inch rotors with six-piston calipers and rear 13.4-inch rotors with four-piston calipers. A step above standard Corvettes in performance (thanks to more insistent gearing) and especially in dynamics, they are civilized on the road yet fiercely capable on a track. You could comfortably pilot one to work each day and pound it around a racetrack every weekend.

We tested manual and automatic coupes and convertibles on local roads and freeways, then brutalized manual-shift coupes on GM’s Milford, MI high-speed development track, and found much to love and little not to like. On climate-cratered Michigan roads, their ride was controlled but comfortable and compliant. On the track, their handling and stability were near-Z06 awesome. Acceleration was strong from any speed, braking was consistently powerful and stable and steering was crisp and precise. Uphill and down, through hairpins, fast sweepers and tight, tricky esses (with standard stability control on), they took a slight tail-out set powering out of each turn then dug in and rocketed toward the next one.

There is now a well-defined hierarchy within Chevy’s 2010 Corvette line-up, beginning with the base coupe at $49,880 MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) and climbing through the standard convertible at $54,530, the Grand Sport coupe at $55,720 and Grand Sport convertible at $59,530 before jumping to the $75K Z06. Standard on all 2010 Corvettes are keyless access, stability control, side air bags, OnStar with Turn-by-Turn navigation, AM/FM/CD radio with steering wheel controls, launch control (with manual transmission) and steering wheel paddle shifters with optional automatic.

Two available interior packages fill the gap between the standard trim and the posh leather-wrapped cabin, and a Heritage Package adds those front fender stripes and two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. Additional major options include DVD navigation with voice recognition, Bose premium audio with XM Satellite Radio and a six-disc CD changer.

Battery Back Up Sump Pumps

Lauro A asked:


I have in storage a 1969 Firebird, and just recently purchased a 2008 Corvette which was salvaged due to a hit to the side. Everything is in good order other than the passenger door and roof. I would like to take advantage and swap anything possible that might be bolt on.

Fenwick Fishing Rods

SmokinVette asked:


History on the Z06 Corvette

In 1953 legionary engineer Zora Duntov joins GM, and goes to work on pushing for greater power for the Corvette.  At the same time Duntov was always working GM to continue development of parts for Corvettes that would benefit the racing community of Corvette owners.  This later launched the name “Z06” which stood for higher performance equipment package.

In 1963 the first Z06 Corvette package offered 36.5 gallon gas tanks, vacuum brake booster, dual master cylinder, a 20 percent larger diameter front sway bar, sintered metallic brake linings within power assisted Al-Fin drums that were cooled by front air scoops along with vented backing plates to help keep the brakes operating cooler.  The Z06 package also included shocks and springs that were just about twice as stiff as the standard Corvette had.

The nick name these Z06 Corvettes were give was “Big Tanks” because as previously mentioned these had a 36.5 gallon gas tanks, compared to the standard tanks that were only 20 gallon.  In the beginning this package was only available to the coupes because the large gas tank wouldn’t fit in the convertibles.

At the time the only Z06 Corvette engine option was a L84 360 horsepower 327 cubic inch displacement engine that had a Rochester fuel injection system on it. Seeing that the Sports Car Club of America production classes required factory exhaust manifolds, the engine was rated at 360 horse power from GM.

During this time, a standard base Corvette coupe would run you around $4,252, if you wanted the Z06 package you would pay and additional $1,818.45.  Some time later GM removed the larger 36.5 gallon tank from the Z06 package and lowered the package price.  Although the larger 36.5 gallon tank would still be available as a stand alone upgrade if you wanted it.  The use of this tank was mainly for longer races.  Leaving the general racer and public happy with the standard fuel tank.  At this time also because the standard Z06 performance package now didn’t have the larger gas tank, GM started producing Z06 as a convertible option also.  There were 199 of these Z06s that were made of which only 63 had the 36.5 gallon gas tank and 124 of those weren’t ordered with a radio.  Showing that many of these Z06’s were used as recreational sports cars.

In October of 1962 during the LA Times Three Hour Invitational the Z06 Corvette performed incredibly.  At the end the winner of the race was won by Mickey Thompson’s Corvette that had been driven by Doug Hooper.  Not to long after this after Ford broke the ban that had been on racing, GM launched a 427 cubic inch displacement engine that had the nick name “mystery motor”.  This big block V8 was revealed at the January 1963 Daytona 500 stock car race.  Behind the scene Duntov had been working on the new Stingray prototype that would be called by the racing community “Grand Sport”.  The whole idea behind the Grand Sport was that these cars would be the Corvette that would be seen racing against the worlds top prototypes, while the Z06 would stick around and race against other production cars.  Then after the Z06, the Corvette picked up the racing designation “ZR-1” which stood for “Zora’s Racers”.

It wasn’t till the year 2000 that GM brought back the Z06 name into one of three packages offered for the Corvette. These models were released as 2001’s with a LS6 motor pushing out 385 horsepower, this was a increase of 35 horsepower from what the base Corvettes came with their 350 horsepower LS1 engine. Then in 2002 the Z06 was motor was modified by removing two of the precatalytic converters in the exhaust system, hi-lift camshafts had been installed, lighter valve gear, and improved induction system. After all of this in 2006 GM releases an even more power Z06 which had a 7.0liter 427 cubic inch displacement engine putting out 505 horsepower.

Swing on by the Z06 Corvette Forum today.



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