Category: Stuart Simonsen

If there’s one classic car that most auto mechanics love working on, it’s the 1961 Corvette (C1). Car enthusiasts love this American classic because it was the first time the world saw the vehicle’s legendary ducktail and iconic toothless front grille.

Anyone who owns one of these 1961 Corvette convertibles would want to preserve them.

But how?

Here, Stuart Simonsen of Billings MT relays expert-backed recommendations when restoring the 1961 Corvette.

Professionals Know Best

Perhaps the best advice is to ask professional and experienced auto mechanics for their suggestions and opinions, especially when restoring the classic Corvette.

According to Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market, only 10,939 Corvette convertibles were made in 1961. Therefore, it’s best to avoid as many restoration mistakes when very few C1s are left – experiment and tinker with cheaper cars than a classic.
Even if professional mechanics aren’t the ones restoring the Corvette, they still have insights and valuable advice to provide.

• Ask them how much the restoration would probably cost.
• Can the engine be restored? Or should it be replaced?
• Where do they source the leather for the seats?
• How do they layer the paint?

Individuals with experience in car restoration know the value of expert advice. But for beginners, it should be even more imperative to seek help from them. Once auto mechanics provide suggestions, it’s time to order and gather the parts.

Staying Organized Is Crucial in Car Restoration

In all aspects, staying organized should be of utmost importance, even more so when restoring classic vehicles. There will be many small but essential parts that can easily be lost – such as the relay and fuse.

Before removing parts of the Corvette, buy boxes and markers for labeling. If the budget allows, purchase a Polaroid camera so photos can be attached to the boxes – these photos can serve as a guide on how and where to return the car parts.

However, organizing Corvette parts shouldn’t be limited to when removing them.

Start With Bigger Projects First

1961 Corvette convertibles are 62 years old. Therefore, unless the vehicle is well-maintained, there will be several restoration projects in that car. However, don’t get overwhelmed. Instead, focus on one project at a time.

Start with bigger projects – such as the engine, mechanical, or electrical issues the Corvette might have.

The purpose of restoration is to get the car up and running. Rust removal and paint jobs may also be important but not the main priority. They must come after the C1 is running smoothly.

Furthermore, focusing on the bigger projects first also maps out the total budget needed for restoration. Once all the essential parts are ordered and installed, it’s easier to pace the paint job and other smaller projects.

However, even those with a clear and concise plan and budget could still use a little help from established advisors – ones whose 1961 Corvette recommendations are in hard copy.

Buy 1961 Corvette Restoration Handbooks

The 1961 Corvette has always been a well-loved car that people in the past and present consistently aim to restore.
However, as differing as everyone’s preference may be in the C1’s appearance, the engine, transmission, and electrical wiring are pretty much the same in every model. That said, when it comes to restoration basics, invest in 1961 Corvette restoration handbooks.

Car restorers recommend The Complete Corvette Restoration and Technical Guide, Vol. 1, by the president of the Solid Axle Corvette Club, Nolan Adams – available on Amazon.

In addition, Mid America Motorworks posted several 1961 Corvette manuals and guides on their website.

Once the books provide all the information, the last thing needed is patience.

Restoration Is a Pet Project

Car restoration takes time. And it need not be completed very soon. After all, most restorers would say that part of the enjoyment when restoring is the process. Don’t worry if the budget or parts availability doesn’t allow for new Corvette restoration projects for now.

If the 1961 Corvette lasted decades with minimal fixing, expect it will last longer once the restoration is done.

Just be patient. It’s worth it.

Summary

All classic cars deserve restoration. But even more so when it’s the iconic 1961 Corvette (C1). To restore it in its full glory, make sure to buy reliable manuals and parts.

When in doubt, ask experienced auto mechanics. They most likely know more about these classic vehicles than anyone else – and they’re also just as excited to see a 1961 Corvette up and running again.

Small businesses face a lack of accurate information regarding the direct and indirect costs of litigation on the decisions they make. As such, Stuart Simonsen Lawsuit reports that businesses often make huge sacrifices, like providing additional services at no extra cost, to avoid client conflict.

With that in mind, the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy conducted a study on the impacts of litigation on small businesses across the US.

Lawsuit Impacts Go Beyond the Financial Implications
It isn’t just the financial impact of damages and legal fees that impact small businesses and their owners during litigations. Since most owners are invested in their company, litigations cause overwhelming emotional hardships, shifting the entire business tone.

From telephone interviews with those who recently suffered a lawsuit, it’s clear that many try to settle their cases out of court. Although, the results are mixed.

Purportedly, the main reason why settlements failed was the opposing party refused to negotiate, preferring to head to the courtroom. Small business owners said they went to great lengths to prevent this.

Most participants in the study mentioned financial impacts, with legal costs amounting to between $3,000 and $150,000. Interviews show that owners felt they had to recoup such losses by cutting operating expenses, obtaining new customers, and/or expanding their offerings.

Due to the limited reserves held by small businesses, litigation costs are a near-impossible burden for their owners.

The Three Main Litigation Issues

The SBA Office of Advocacy classified the primary litigation issues faced by small business owners into three categories — employee complaints, business-specific claims, and customer satisfaction.

These issues affect small businesses in four major ways:

• Financially — This includes costs of attorneys, damage/settlement costs, and cost of employee/owner time devoted to the case.
• Emotionally — Strained mental states cause strains on the entire business.
• Loss of business — The publicity of the specific litigation causes customers to take their business to competitors.
• Structure changes — Small business owners often become more wary of customers and employees if they believe allegations were inappropriate. Plus, they realize documentation processes or organizational structures must change, costing time, effort, and money.

Minimizing Litigation Risk and Liability

While the impacts of lawsuits on small businesses in the US can be devastating in more ways than one, owners can use the following tips and tricks to minimize their likelihood of suffering litigation in the first place. They can:

• Ensure they address complaints promptly, regardless of how small they seem.
• Tighten control of the firm’s and owner’s assets and how operations are conducted day-to-day.
• Understand that no one can completely avoid lawsuits, so conducting themselves carefully is crucial.
• Ensure all EEOC posters are posted.
• Increase care when dealing with paperwork to ensure they’re covered from all sides.
• Be less trusting of other companies, employees, and customers.
• Obtain all relevant insurance policies.
• Document all complaints, even the smallest of problems.

Ultimately, keeping an expert eye over all operations and documentation processes is the key to limiting risk and the likelihood of suffering litigation.

When trading for numerous New York Stock Exchange companies had to be delayed on Jan. 24, it was a perfect symbol for the stock market year so far.

Yes, it’s still the beginning of the year, but its first year has already been a wild ride. Stuart Simonsen of Billings, MT says that the market had been previously strong for much of January, fueled in part by numbers indicating a possible inflation slowdown.

On the other hand, investors seem to fear that the repeated interest rate hikes last year could make this the year that America dives into a full-on economic recession.

Strategists at Ned Davis Research are predicting a 75% chance that an economic slowdown will occur in America during the first six months of 2023 — but also say there are indications that a softer landing could take place as well. Bloomberg is forecasting an economic retraction in this year’s second and third quarters.

That makes it, the company said, difficult for stock market investors to make decisions.

A slew of earning reports will likely have an impact on the stock market for at least the next few months. This includes earning results from IBM, Microsoft, and Tesla.

One recommendation for investors? Small-cap stocks, which Kevin Rendino, 180 Degree Capital’s CEO, says he has already begun to snap up as recession fears loom.

U.S. Stocks Compare Unfavorably with Global Counterparts

There was good news and bad news on the stock market in January.

While there was a 6.3% rise in the Russell 3000 benchmark for the U.S. stock market since October, that number is far below the MSCI World ex-U.S. index (which rose by over 22%) and the pan-European Stoxx 600 (up 13%). The bottom line: The U.S. stock market has been underperforming for months on the global stage.

Low retail sales and industrial production seem to be contributing to the low numbers and the sense around the world that the American economy is slowing. Compare that to Europe, where lower energy prices and positive data, paint a far rosier picture.

Moving Away from a Bull Market

Heading into the second month of 2023, the world’s economy appears to be shifting away from a bull market with high growth to one that will soon bring stock valuations down throughout the entire year.

That’s according to Gateway Credit Capital CEO Tim Gramatovich, who doesn’t expect the stock market to be lifted up by conditions that have improved investment conditions in the past.

Gramatovich says that conditions such as spent dividends on technology and globalization and slowed population growth are among the top shifts making a big impact on world market trends.

Nasdaq is a Bright Spot

It’s not all gloom and doom at the U.S. stock market. The Nasdaq composite experienced its fastest start since 2019, up over 6% in January.

At the beginning of 2022, Nasdaq was down 9.5% during the same time period. An expected end to interest rate hikes and lowered account for much of the Nasdaq ride so far this year. Also a factor – big gains from companies including Indexx Laboratories, Alphabet, and Warner Bros Discovery.

As 2022 drew to a close, the US housing market remained hot. And while growth is expected to slow down and settle throughout the new year, there are still plenty of prosperous opportunities to be found by buyers, sellers, and investors if they know where to look.

Real estate experts like Stu Simonsen of Billings, MT encourage budding investors to maximize their returns this year by finding properties with greater rental occupancies, low tenant default rates, and high rentals relative to mortgage repayments.

Although naturally, location plays a huge role in this kind of success. So, keep in mind the following researched cities to get most out of future real estate endeavors:

Boise, Idaho

Historically, Boise has a fantastic track record of being one of the US’ most fruitful long-term real estate investment areas. As home prices continue heading skyward, this city’s supply and demand dynamics remain strong.

Inventory has been tight since the COVID-19 pandemic. And even though mortgage prices have experienced unbelievably high hikes, shoppers are still searching for their dream Boise-based home, making it an ideal place for long-term investment opportunites.

Ada County’s median sale price ticked over $500,000 in 2022’s last quarter, with the city boasting an appreciation rate of 4.53% in the final quarter alone.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas is one of the most accessible markets for investments, thanks to its well-stocked inventory and high rental rates compared to the home price. The city also showcases various investment properties, making it attractive for diversification purposes.

Reports state that roughly 340 people move to the area daily — a statistic that will no doubt excite investors looking to hold rental homes. Finding tenants will prove easier here than in other cities, giving peace of mind regarding returns.

Due to the expected growth of the Metro area, the Dallas real estate market will likely remain hot for the foreseeable future.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is a popular investment haven with attractive prospects for savvy rental unit investors.

The population has risen by 14% over the last ten years, pushing housing demand to all-new heights. And, as well-established investors know, positive population and employment growth are two signs of a more-than-healthy market.

Currently, Atlanta is experiencing an economic boom. Thus, property prices are expected to increase in a few years. Those that get in now will undoubtedly reap the rewards down the line.

Tampa, Florida

Experts dubbed Tampa the hottest real estate market in the US over the past 12 months. Heading into 2023, there’s still a massive demand for single-family homes, catching the eye of many wise investors.

The market is growing steadily. But house prices are still low, giving investors a great chance of solid appreciation in the long term.

Columbus, Ohio

The median home sale price here is just $175,000, meaning it has a high rental yield. And even though the population growth is slow, there’s been a huge demand for renovated homes in well-establish neighborhoods with high walkability rates.

Investors who manage to snag a property in any of the five cities above will likely benefit from high appreciation in the long-term and decent rental income in the short term.

Futures trading is favored among the world’s savviest traders and hedge fund managers. Inspiring many to engage in the globe’s most thrilling markets, futures trading is a legal agreement to buy or sell a particular asset or security at a predetermined price at a specific time.

Stuart Simonsen of Billings, MT dives deeper into this type of trading and a couple of strategies that many esteemed traders use.

Understanding Futures Trading

Initially, futures trading was created to fulfill the needs of commercial traders. Thus, the underlying asset that is bought or sold is typically a physical commodity. Although, the modern world has seen futures flood the equity and bonds markets too.

Futures trading happens through the CME, providing more price efficiency thanks to its centralized and regulated characteristics.

The leverage available and the low margin necessities in this type of trading are the aspects that make it so popular. Plus, they can be traded around the clock, negating the overnight risk for stock index futures.

But there are many strategies that traders use to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the futures market. Such as:

Day Futures Trading Strategy

Day trading is a popular approach. But it does come with its fair share of risks.

That said, people have made fortunes day trading futures. One prime example is Paul Rotter, one of the world’s most successful futures day traders. He made roughly $65 to $78 million every year for ten years!

How Does Futures Day Trading Work

Futures prices tend to display a specific trading pattern every day.

Think of it like traffic — there tends to be a lot in the morning and early evening, but not in the afternoon since everybody is at work. That’s how futures tend to run:

• Volatility at the start of the trading day
• No volatility in the middle
• Volatility before closing

Because of that, many day futures traders like to run strategies that combine volatility and breakout trading.

This system uses the previous trading day’s high and low prices as a rule. Traders multiply them by 0.25, add the high’s opening price, and subtract the low to find the breakout range. Then, buy contracts if the break is above the range and sell if it’s below the range.

Futures Swing Trading Strategy

Swing trading futures is one of the only multisession systems in this type of trading. Just be aware that margins may be higher due to the nightly gap risk.

Savvy traders often use this strategy during strong markets, giving them opportunities to ride trends. Success involves having a suitable timeframe.

NIFTY Futures Trading Strategy

The final strategy is a technical based one, involving indicators that generate accurate trading signals. It gives traders the opportunity to capture the intraday NIFTY trends.

Otherwise known as the Holy Grail trading setup, it utilizes ADX (Average Directional Index) and SMA (Simple Moving Average) to let traders find low-risk entry points following pullbacks. The former measures the trend’s strength, and the latter determines where the retracement could end.

It may seem counterintuitive to blend the heritage of a classic car with the technological advancement of an electric vehicle (EV). However, this is an option that more and more motorists are considering. So, why convert a classic car to electric power?

Aside from being more environmentally friendly, an EV conversion of a classic car can sometimes increase its performance. Vintage motors receive a new lease of life, increasing their usability and longevity as roadworthy vehicles.

Stuart Simonsen of Billings, MT explains more of the reasons for converting to electric during a classic car restoration below.

An Electric Engine Gives Greater Performance

As a car ages, it can lose horsepower and engine performance. Fitting an electric motor into a classic car will significantly improve speed and acceleration. EV specialists also perfectly balance the battery packs for the best weight distribution to enhance handling and performance.

EVs have Reduced Costs and Maintenance

Compared to a vehicle that consumes only gas, electric vehicles are much more cost-effective to fuel up. Research has shown that EV owners spend 60% less on powering their vehicles than other drivers, meaning they can quickly gain a return on investment from converting their classic cars.

Switching to an electric motor can also cut down on maintenance and repair costs. As electric engines are newer and have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines, certain expenses such as oil changes and tune-ups are no longer relevant.

As electric motors and batteries are newer technologies, they can alleviate the cost of sourcing replacement parts for rarer classic cars.

Changes are Discreet

The image and aesthetic appeal of a classic car are what bring many people to own them. Thankfully, the process of converting to an electric engine doesn’t compromise a car’s appearance.

From the outside, the chassis remains untouched, although the exhaust may be removed. Someone would only truly know that it was an EV by lifting the hood!

EV Conversion Gives Classic Cars Longevity

Often, classic cars can become run-down and become more and more expensive to repair when they break down. On other occasions, due to long periods of being stored in garages, warehouses, and barns without being run, their engines can seize, rendering the car unusable.

This often becomes the point when classic cars are scrapped, often taking with them many precious motoring memories.

Switching out an unreliable or non-working engine and restoring a classic car as an EV allows it to be used once again. As mentioned above, with greater performance and easier maintenance, converted classic cars often see greater use on the road as the fear of them breaking down is alleviated.

How to Start the Process

For anyone looking to convert their classic car into an EV, there are two options available.

For the mechanically trained or able, EV conversion kits can be purchased to be installed at home. This option is a cheaper choice but lacks the expertise of an EV conversion specialist.

Otherwise, many EV conversion companies can take care of the entire process. Some specialize in certain vehicles, so their knowledge lends itself perfectly to a perfect, balanced restoration. This option can be costly depending on the specifications required and the vehicle in question but leads to a great result and oftentimes added value.