Spring is here! And Summer is within reach!

It is that time of year when Western North Carolina is the place to be for sightseeing while cruising the Appalachian mountains! The magnificent views of the numerous waterfalls in Western North Carolina is always a guarantee to surprise and delight our eyes with their vast beauty!

Looking Glass Falls (Brevard Area)
This 30 feet wide and 60 feet high waterfall is the most popular in North Carolina.
Use this link to get directions from your location!
Looking Glass Falls

Bird Rock Falls
This waterfall is near the Shoal Creek and the North Fork of the French Broad River.
Use this link to get directions from your location!
Bird Rock Falls

Bridal View Falls
This is unique because it allows you to drive your car right underneath the waterfall!
Use this link to get directions from your location!
Bridal View Falls

Cullasaja Falls
The lower portion of the waterfall is a cascade of water which flows about 250 feet down.
Use this link to get directions from your location!
Cullasaja Falls

Dry Falls
This waterfall is between Franklin and Highlands. Once you arrive, you take a short, easy walk and then you get to walk behind the fall without even getting wet!
Use this link to get directions from your location!
Dry Falls

Linville Falls
This waterfall is located on the pristine Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 316.3. The trails that take you back to the waterfall are considered moderate to strenuous in range of difficulty.
Use this link to get directions from your location!
Linville Falls

Rainbow Falls
This waterfall is 200 feet high!
Use this link to get directions from your location!
Rainbow Falls

The team at The Winning Collection hopes you enjoy some of these amazing views while taking a casual drive within the mountains of Western North Carolina! As a reminder, you can subscribe to receive our newsletters automatically to your inbox! Simply, enter your information of the sidebar of this page.

The Winning Collection would like to make a simple, yet important reminder that the surface around the waterfalls can be slippery and dangerous, so please take extra precaution while visiting.

The essentials that are necessary are here in order for you to follow:

1. Chairs and shoes are at the top of my list. My butt needs a chair to rest the feet after all that walking I’ve done around the show. Bring chairs that are simple, such as the folding type that are easy to carry. Shoes are as important as the chairs. Go for comfort NOT style.
2. Sunscreen is at the top of number two list along with a hat if you are not so lucky to have all your hair. This protects the nose and the thin patch we all try to hide, haha!
3. Rain gear (I know this is a bummer to add) but it can make or break your fun level. Leave the rain coat in the car for the karma gosds to see, so it won’t rain. An umbrella makes for a great tool if kept under control. By this I mean DO NOT LET IT HIT A CAR whether opened or closed, so be careful.
4. The cooler is next! Not too big, so you can keep those waters handy and possibly lunch in the event there are no vendors. Also LEAVE THE ALCOHOL IN THE CAR because this is a FAMILY event and not all folks like obnoxious people, or alcohol.
5. Cleaning and detailing supplies. I am not going to list this because you should know what you need. This should all fit in a 5 gallon bucket.
6. KIDS! KIDS! KIDS! are the last on my list. Take a kid to a car show and he/she will remember it forever. WE NEED ALL THE FUTURE COLLECTORS AS POSSIBLE.
7. The last thing to do is HAVE FUN! This is why we are here.

Please don’t hesitate to call us for help with your first trip for pointers. Don’t forget the MALCO products we use for our show cars.

Cheers,

The TWC Team!

Don’t forget to join us this Saturday, March 3, 2012 for the DIY workshop!!

Location: The Winning Collection Shop

Time: 10:00-12:00

Spring has arrived and it is time for you to awaken your pride and joy from its winter slumber. The following pre-start checklist will hopefully be helpful in the start up of your collector car.

1. Make sure your fuel has not gone stale. The proper storage for winter should have been a full tank of gas, so this renders draining your tank impossible. Did you use a fuel stabilizer? If not, this could be an issue, but shouldn’t be for those living in the southeast. If you did not fill your fuel tank then I would add fuel to what you have on a one to one mix.
2. Is your battery charged? I hope by now all of you use some sort of a battery tender or trickle charging system for your car during the winter months as to keep the battery alive. If not, put a charger on the battery on a low 2 amp trickle and bring it back to life slowly.
3. Check all fluids to make sure you have proper levels, such as the oil, coolant and brake fluid.
4. After following the instructions and checking your charge, start the car. This is something you want to do slowly to allow the motor to come to temperature slowly. Let the car idle at low rpms until operating temperature is reached, then shut the car off and check for leaks. Look very carefully under the car for potential hazards.
5. Ok, so all has checked out! There are no leaks, tank is full, car is running good, so it is time for the first drive of the season. Before you go to the end of your driveway MAKE SURE you check your brakes! Pump them several times to allow for fluid regeneration in the system. A lot of people forget this step until it is too late!
6. It is a good idea for the first drive to keep it close to home and don’t forget if you need service, we will be here!

Happy Motoring, your TWC Team!

A representative from Malco will be here to demonstrate the cleaning and detailing of a leather seat, while including tips regarding interior, leather maintenance and plastic care. If you have always wanted to get some ideas from the professionals, we recommend you attend! Last year, Malco’s DIY workshop on paint care was a huge success! Tom Coleman, President of The Winning Collection looks forward to seeing you here that morning!

This gathering is open to the public and free of charge! Please R.S.V.P by Friday, March 2nd to be added to our list of attendees. (Please call Laura at (828) 658-9090 at extension 103, or email lfarmer@twcmotorsport.com to reserve your spot!

January is quickly approaching, which means it will be time for New Year’s resolutions once again.

For many, the hope of losing weight is top priority, but we have a suggestion for all you car enthusiasts!

Maybe you have always dreamed of owning and restoring your most desired vehicle, but never made the decision to just do it. The beginning of 2012 might be a good time to promise yourself this very gift!

There is no better time than the present, so we suggest making it happen! Too often people make resolutions that only last a month, so why not make a vow that you know you will uphold the entire year! The decision to restore a classic is the kind of promise that won’t leave you feeling guilty at the end of the year because this is one pledge you will be willing to keep! Also, you can drive and enjoy this New Year’s promise for many years to come!

And when you are ready to take this exciting journey, consider out team of professional, experienced technicians at The Winning Collection to make this resolution the best ever!

Have a safe and exciting New Year!

Have you ever pictured your dream car? For so many, it may be a modern day vehicle, but there are multitudes of others that can’t help loving cars of yesterday. These individuals realize that you can’t just walk into a car dealership and make a purchase with the snap of a finger. But if you have the time, money and most importantly the passion for these cars, restoration may be your route.

Cars were not designed to last forever, however car restoration can breathe new life into the older vehicle, making it look and run new! This will help increase the value of the car, while assuring its collectible status! The restoration process does take time, especially if you want it done right! But when you are driving around in your newly restored vehicle, it will be completely worth it!

With this thought in mind, this newsletter is the beginning of a series, in which we will be discussing the reality of the restoration process and the various options available. Our desire is to give you a little insight into this interesting and always evolving hobby.

So, the first step is to find the dream car that you desire restoring. There are multiple avenues for accomplishing this task.

For those seeking to build their dream car, it may be in hopes of recapturing their youth; therefore searching until they find that particular year and make from that memorable time in their life. For others it may be that they always fantasized about a specific car, but never had the means to afford it. Our situations change, therefore maybe the possibility of ownership has become a reality.

So the question for so many, especially for those new to this process is how to find that dream car!

For those that are not exactly sure what they are looking for, our experienced staff at The Winning Collection has the right connections, resources and knowledge in assisting you with pinpointing your future vehicle!

And once you have that perfect car, you need The Winning Collection to take your vehicle and build your dream! As leaders in automotive restoration and engineering we blend authenticity with state-of-the-art custom work to build vehicles as unique as their owners!

Keep checking our website for further newsletters regarding this topic or simply sign up to subscribe to our newsletters; therefore begin receiving our latest posts directly to your e-mail account.

Also, don’t forget to check out our website for a glimpse our our previous restorations, as well as our most current projects!

This year is quickly coming to an end, which means Christmas is right around the corner. Do you still have gifts to buy, but can’t can’t decide what Uncle Rick would enjoy? Well, if Uncle Rick happens to enjoy classic cars, The Winning Collection is here to help!

1. Magazine Subscription:  Keep Uncle Rick busy all year with a subscription to a specialty car magazine. This will help keep him up-to-date on all the latest trends! Try Hemmings Motor News, Classic Car or Muscle Machines.
2. Wash and Wax: We are sure Uncle Rick would appreciate the products needed to keep his classic car looking sharp!
3. Gloves: Uncle Rick would enjoy a new pair of leather gloves, possibly with a logo from his favorite car manufacturer!
4. Diecast: Does Uncle Rick enjoy working with his hands? If so, he would enjoy this gift! Make it more personal by selecting a model that sparks his interest!
5. Garage Signs: There are some great opportunities at the Antique stores! We are positive Uncle Rick would love to have an antique automotive sign hanging up in his garage!
6. Professional Photographs: Is Uncle Rick proud of his classic beauty? Hire a professional photographer to capture memories that will last him forever!
7. Auto Gadgets: If your budget allows you to be more generous, consider a gadget for Uncle Rick’s car. A back-up camera is a great idea to ensure added safety. Or you could get a GPS device, that way he can find your house easier next vacation.
8. Books: Does Uncle Rick enjoy reading? Buy him a book that is related to classic, muscle and antique vehicles. Can we suggest Fifty Cars That Changed The World, or Classic Cars 1931-1980.

The benefit of having a car enthusiasts on your list of people to buy for is it is easy to make them happy. Their love of classic cars will make them enjoy any car-related gift.

We wish you all the best in seeking the perfect gift for that Uncle Rick in your family!

Merry Christmas from the family at The Winning Collection!

“Like” our page and “Share” the post on Facebook  to get entered in our contest! Please follow the link below! The sweatshirt is valued at $75 and it would make a great Christmas gift for any car enthusiast!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Winning-Collection/266271585187

 If you have already liked us, just share the post on Facebook and you will be entered too! The winner will be picked randomly and announced on December 19th!

Contest ends December 16th

We are eager to build our fan base, so thank you in advance for helping us spread the word!

Good Luck!

We have stuffed our bellies, the Christmas decorations are coming out of their boxes, and another year is about to end.

This year is almost over and so are several of our projects.

The Winning Collection has had the privilege of restoring a 1959 and 1967 Chevy Corvette, a 1939 Ford Woody and a 1967 Chevy Chevelle! And these are only a few of the projects that we have recently finished, or working hard towards completing. While the restoration process may be ending for these cars, the shop still has their hands busy with some other exceptional vehicles! Check out our “Current Projects” page to see photos of the vehicles we are currently restoring!

Some may ask, what the fascination is with vintage, classic and muscle cars. An easy and logical answer would be that each car has a unique story and captures a piece of our nation’s history.

Or perhaps it reclaims a moment of time in a person’s life that encapsulates the innocence of their youth. For example, Chevrolet has come out with a commercial recently that portrays this very feeling. An aging man, reunited with a car from his past; which brings pure joy and tears to his face!

One could argue that modern vehicles aren’t built with the same integrity as once before and that there is something majestic about earlier models.

There are numerous answers to why people are enthusiastic about these types of vehicles, but The Winning Collection plans on sharing with you the stories behind some of these cars. We invite you to stay tuned for some upcoming newsletters that will provide you with some history and interesting facts regarding the vehicles that enter our shop!

One of our crew members made the mistake of wearing shorts the first morning, but after a few miserable hours in the bitter cold, it forced him to head back to the truck to retrieve a pair of pants! A couple of the other TWC crew members found warmth in the hats they purchased while attending the car show!

It started off cold, but after being honored with PPG’s “Dream Car” award, the TWC crew started to warm up! The 1967 Chevy Corvette or the “A-Bomb” had the eyes of many attending the event. Admirers couldn’t help but stop to glance at its stunning atomic orange exterior and drool over its impressive interior features!

If the first award wasn’t enough to be thrilled about, the TWC crew was honored once again! This time Detroit Speed awarded the A-Bomb with “Builders Choice“. The A-Bomb was also selected for the Gazette, which means it will get a centerfold layout in the published Good Guy’s Gazette! So be looking for that exciting layout of the Award-Winning A-Bomb!

The second car attending the event, a 1959 Chevy Corvette, or “Nemesis” wasn’t without its admirers too! Its distinguished color schema made it a stand out among the crowd! There were quite a few vehicles participating during the weekend, so car enthusiasts attending the event were offered a wide variety of model types, colors and custom features for viewing! We are just thrilled that our two vehicles: The A-Bomb and Nemesis were are among the vehicles that stood out!

Overall, it was a great weekend! If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year, make a mental note to make a trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2012! As for the crew at TWC, we look forward to doing it all over again next year! However, we will hope for 70 degrees and clear skies!