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Greatest Movie And TV Fords | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

May 20, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Ford has always been known to make a statement, including a heavy presence in pop culture for the last several decades. Many of our favorite movies and shows feature at least one iconic Ford model that saves the day, solves the crime or gets the girl.

We have selected ten of the most memorable films and series starring Ford vehicles, from the oldest to most recent. Movie buff or not, you may recognize a few of these famous Fords.

Batman (1966) (series) – There isn’t much not to love about Batman, and before Michael Keaton, George Clooney and Christian Bale wore the mask, Adam West ran the show in the 1960 series. However, the big star of the television program was none other than the 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura Concept Car, also know as the “Batmobile”.

Starsky and Hutch (1975) (series) – If the Starsky and Hutch series tells us anything it is that you don’t need a fancy suit styled after a flying mammal to fight crime, but you might need a red and white Ford Gran Torino. The “Striped Tomato” became emblematic for the show that was centered around two street-smart cops solving crimes. Although the “Striped Tomato” was switched from a ’74 model to a ’73 model throughout the run of the series the car was made to look identical in each scene.

Grease (1978) – “Auto-matic, Systo-matic, Hydro-matic”, it was the 1948 Ford De Luxe “Greased Lightning” that had audiences loving the famous 70’s musical, set in the 1950s. The car not only appeared in several of the high-energy singing and dancing scenes but was responsible for the final drag race that took place near the end of the movie when Danny and our beloved “T-Birds” triumphantly took the win.

RoboCop (1987) – In the 1980s, Ford was taking some big hits from the competition. That is, until a line of cars only a year old at the time called the Ford Taurus found its way on to the set of RoboCop. The movie, set in a fictionalized Detroit used all Taurus LX’s as police cars and brought the line to life. Still today Taurus is the fourth-oldest nameplate in the Ford family sold in North America.

Thelma and Louise (1991) – If you’re going to go on a cross-country road trip filled with self discovery might as well do it in a stylish 1966 Ford Thunderbird. Although the unlikely duo pack many miles on the getaway ride, the most memorable scene is the dramatic exit when the Ford convertible flies through the air off a cliff from the Grand Canyon.

Jurassic Park (1993) – The jungle, the ripples in the water, the green and yellow Ford Explorer XLT, Jurassic Park gave a whole new meaning to “built Ford tough” when angry t-rex ripped this 1991 SUV to shreds and it still lasted (almost) throughout the rest of the movie.

Dumb and Dumber (1994) – You may have a hard time recognizing this 1984 customized Ford Econoline, but when Harry and Lloyd navigated this K-9 inspired van to Aspen it was hard to forget.

The Big Lebowski (1998) – No vehicle quite represented the carefree white-Russian drinking “Dude” like his worn in 1973 Ford Gran Torino. This 90’s cult favorite showed the 73′ model Torino in a new light and was one of the iconic pieces that made this movie so hilarious to watch.

Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) – The Ford Mustang has always been an incredible classic timepiece for American pop culture, and in the fast-action film the revamped 1973 Mustang made this millennium movie standout from others of its kind.

Scooby Doo (2002) – Last on our list is probably one of the most well-known of the big screen automobile’s that belonged to a group of problem solving teenagers and one very hungry dog. “The Mystery Machine”, a bright blue and green custom Ford Econoline van, has always been an eye-catching set of wheels since its cartoon series in 1969.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Tires Make A Difference | Lamarque Ford | Metairie, New Orleans, Kenner

May 16, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

When considering car safety, most motorists ignore their tires. Tires are more than just rubber, as they directly interact with the surface and transmit power from your car into the ground. Tires also play a vital role in breaking, stability and fuel economy. It should come as no surprise then, that tire technology as been consistently improving over the years. Here are some tips that will help you and your car drive better.

Monitor Your Tire Pressure

Most new vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, which is a sensor that alerts the driver when tire pressure is low. However, some systems are more sensitive than others, so it is recommended to regularly check the pressure with a pressure gauge. Always consult your owner’s manual to ensure your tires have the optimal amount of air. Remember that improper tire pressure can compromise stability and breaking, so take this seriously!

Rotate Your Tires

Rotating the tires to opposite corners of your car will extend their life. Although this step is not crucial for safety, it can save you a few bucks in the long run. Most cars have traction on only one or two wheels, so there’s always more wear on a certain pair of tires (front ones or rear ones). Hence, rotating them evens out the damage to the tread evenly.

Keep Them Balanced

Tires only need to be balanced when they’re first put on your wheels. Each tire is balanced to its own wheel, so rotating the tires does not necessarily mean you have to get them balanced. However, if you’ve damaged the sidewall or hit a big pot hole, you could be better off with a balancing. Any time a tire and rim are separated, they need to be balanced.

Inspect Tires For Wear

This might not be part of your daily routine, but it could even save your life. Your tire can be visually damaged and still not be detected by the pressure monitoring system. Don’t wait until is too late and your tire blows up at highway speeds! Some people recommend to inspect your tires daily before leaving for work, and is as simple as walking around your car looking for signs of damage like worn sidewalls or foreign objects in the tires.

Watch Your Weight

All tires are built to withstand a certain weight. Do not overload them as it could cause them to blow up or get damaged. Consult your owner’s manual or your tire warranty to learn more about your tires’ weight rating. Overloading your tires usually means you’re overloading your vehicle’s suspension, which is never a good idea. If it feels too heavy, it probably is.

Replace Accordingly

As you perform your scheduled car maintenance, ask your mechanic to look at your tires and see if they need to be replaced. The rule of thumb is the penny test, and consists on sticking a penny into your tire’s tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If the tread covers the top of his head, you should be good to go. If there’s any concern over wet roads or hot weather, don’t hesitate to take your car to your local mechanic.

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How To Extend Your Car’s Life | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

May 9, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard stories of people driving cars with over 250,000 miles on them. What’s the secret? We’ve put together a list of tips that will help your car run longer. Regular maintenance and common sense play an important role, as well as the way you drive.

Change Your Fluids Regularly

This is the single most important thing you can do to keep your car in great shape. Although this applies to all fluids (transmission, breaks, coolant, etc), pay special attention to the engine oil. If you drive a new car, stick to the manufacturer’s recommended changing intervals (some people recommend doing it sooner). If your car is older or has over 100,000 miles, it might be a good time to think about high mileage or synthetic oil, which better lubricates your engine. Changing fluids regularly will flush out any build up found in hoses and moving parts, keeping your engine in excellent condition.

Keep Your Car Waxed and Clean

Wax protects your car’s clear coat from the elements, making the paint last longer. It also allows you to wash your car’s exterior less often. Remember that paint not only makes your car look nice, but it also prevents the metal from rusting.

Drive At Highway Speeds

Cars are meant to be driven, and your engine operates at its peak performance when it drives at low rpms for long periods of time. That’s one of the reasons why your vehicle gets better gas mileage on the highway. Your engine also works better when it has reached optimal temperature, so driving short trips at city speeds is less than ideal.

Buy Gas From Reputable Sources

Go out of your way and ask the right questions. Some gas stations lack the filtration system required to keep gasoline clean at all times. Ask the associate if the filters are replaced regularly and if they mix the gasoline with anything else. You want to make sure you’re buying clean gas!

Look For Signs of Trouble

Whether your car is old or new, you should always be on the lookout for signs of trouble like leaks, odd smells, weird noises or any driving changes you might notice. It is always cheaper to repair a small problem; remember replacing a transmission or engine can cost thousands of dollars.

Having a trusted mechanic is helpful as well. Your local dealership has certified and trained experts and have the support from a national brand. Always shop around and make sure you and your car are treated with respect.

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