Luxuries and Necessities

It's hard to imagine life before home computers, before cars, before air conditioning. What's interesting is how many of the items we take for granted as necessities used to be luxuries. And how the list has grown.

At one time we washed clothes down in the river, or by carrying water up from the spring. Clothes were dried on sunny days out on the line.

A Pew Research Study did a comparison of luxuries and necessities from 1996 to 2006. The list of things Americans "can't live without" has been growing, and in 2006 flat screen TVs and iPods were necessities for the first time in some homes. Undoubtedly smartphones will be on that list in the next study.

Do you nuke your food? Only 68% of Americans called their microwave oven a necessity, but that number is up by 36% from 1996 when 68% considered it a luxury. No one had cell phones listed as a necessity in 1996, but anyone who has worked a major trade show would be hard pressed to live without one.

One stat of special interest was that cars were the only item on the list that actually shrank slightly, to 91%. As urban communities grow, public transportation and bicycling are experiencing a resurgence. Nevertheless, for most of us the automobile or truck we drive is an essential part of our lives. Because this is so, it's necessary to take care of it. Check your fluid levels on a regular basis, maintain tire pressure, and make sure your air filter is clean. If you need help and want some reminders as to when you need to change your oil or take care of other maintenance matters, park your information at MyAMSOILGarage. Taking car of your car will help save you money so you can have a little extra cash for the next big thing we can't live without... How about that that trip around the moon you always wanted to take?

Automotive History Is Cool

Dan Stoner of Hemmings Motor News sent us a link to a cool website, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA). The U.S. may be in its infancy by European standards, but there is a rich history here in every field of endeavor, from railroads and aeronautics to inventions and automobiles. (Note: From an anthropological point of view, when scratching through time to our early native residents, the continent holds second fiddle to no one.)

Many people are unaware that AMSOIL Headquarters, formerly the Berkshire Block, is listed on the Wisconsin Register of Historic Places. What's interesting is learning that automotive history is being documented and that records are being preserved of historic vehicles.

The oil industry has a history as well. There was a time when wagon wheels were lubed with whale blubber of beef fat. When the internal combustion engine came along, something a little more fluid was required. As engines progressed, the oils that kept the protected also progressed, an in 1972 Lt. Col. Albert J. Amatuzio succeeded in bring jet engine technology into automotive applications, an achievement that later landed him in the Lubricants World Hall of Fame.

The HVA website has a bundle of info for car buffs of all ages. In the manner that some people trace their family tree so, too, we can trace the genealogical roots of our favorite cars. How did the first diesels come about? Why were cars so large and stylish in the fifties and so aerodynamic but less visually exciting in the 90's. What kinds of cars did our 60's rock stars like Jimi, Janis and Jim drive? 

And if you own a classic car, what kind of oil should you put in it?

The answer to this last question is not blowing in the wind. You can find it at AMSOIL.com.

MPMC in Sunny California Offers Unique Opportunity to Tell the AMSOIL Story

The value of things varies from person to person. Hence the saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure."

The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is just such an event. Representatives from manufacturing firms across the continent gather in a California hotel and tell their stories for three days to members of the media covering the motorsports industry. On the surface this sounds as boring as whittling matchsticks, but for the media and businesses, it is one of the most exciting events of the year. Why? Because the meetings are a catalyst for making things happen.

Today is the third day in which editorial staff from all over the world are meeting with racing and high performance parts manufacturers in a series of face-to-face, 30 minute meetings. When all is said and done, most journalist and manufacturers will have conducted 42 such meetings.

The reason MPMC works is because journalists need stories to write about. Manufacturers needs media to get their stories told to the wider audiences they want to reach. In an age where content is king it is a win-win for everyone.

When all is said and done, some of you will likely read some of the AMSOIL stories we told in magazines and on websites that you read.

One of those stories is not really new because it's essentially who we are. Another is our EBR Building Legends Sweepstakes.

We love telling our story. Follow us on Facebook so we can tell you more.

Spy Photos of the 2014 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour Build

Somehow we got inside Hot Rods by Dean and captured these shots of the latest AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour car.... as it happens. How cool is that?

Expect great things in 2014.

Team Hybrid’s Mike Gutierrez Grabs International Attention with AMSOIL-lubed Mitsubishi

Team Hybrid is a tuner enthusiast group out of California almost 20 years in existence. Their members boast some of the hottest tuners on the scene today, and many of them land high-profile media coverage in magazines and websites around the world. Team Hybrid member Mike Gutierrez is no exception, recently selected for a sponsorship and his very own build page on Mishimoto’s website.

Mishimoto is a well-known tuner product hub that showcases some of the finest rides in the world bearing their well-known modification products. Landing a spot on their sponsorship roster and website is no easy feat, and only those who have what it takes are afforded such an honor. While at SEMA in November, Mike G.’s Mitsubishi Evo X also caught the eye of English blogger Adam Ivell of 6two1.com. While typically a website for Honda enthusiasts, after seeing what Mike G. had created Ivell picked up his camera for an impromptu photo shoot and posted a Mitsubishi to his website.

Of course, so much time and effort into a car like this would be wasted if the engine wasn’t protected with a lubricant like AMSOIL. That’s why Mike G. approached us for oil and peace of mind before he headed to Las Vegas to put his car in front of the automotive industry masses. We obliged, and the end result was stunning. After a long search for the exact right mods and the best products on the market, behold the final product of Mike G.’s vision.

Photos courtesy Team Hybrid
Thanks, guys. You rock!