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Frane Selak – Born Survivor

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Frane Selak, a music teacher from Croatia was born in 1929 and has lived to tell the tale on his many incredible brushes with death. The four times married man known by his friends as ‘Mr Lucky’ amazingly then went on to win the Croatian lottery.

His first dice with death was on a cold winters day when he was travelling on a train to Dubrovnik in 1962. The train derailed and plunged into a river. Selak received minor injuries and hypothermia while 17 others aboard the train weren’t so fortunate and perished.

Twelve months later, Selak was involved in an accident which killed 19. This time he was in a plane flying to Rijeka from Zagreb. He was blown out of the plane after the cockpit door blew off. He landed on a haystack and again, only received minor injuries.

His next accident came three years later when another mode of transport he was using, a bus, crashed into a river killing 4 but Selak survived unharmed.

His car caught fire while he was driving in 1970 and exploded soon after. Selak managed to exit the vehicle before the explosion. In 1973 Selak had another car fire and lost the majority of his hair.

Selak went over 20 years before his next ‘mishap’. In 1995 he again received minor injuries when he was hit by a bus. A year later a tree saved his life when swerved to avoid a truck on a mountain road. While Selak landed in the tree, the car exploded 300ft below.

Frane Selak had rode his luck then came across some when in 2003 he won £600,000 on the Croatian lottery. He planned to spend his winnings on a new house, a speedboat and a car which hopefully won’t explode. One thing is for sure though, Selak hasn’t led a quiet life.

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Source by Javan McCabe

Rancho RS9000XL, RSX Reflex and RS5000 Shocks – A Comparison

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Being in the aftermarket automotive parts business with a focus on Rancho shocks and suspension, it’s not uncommon to hear customers ask, “What’s the difference between the Rancho RS9000XL, Rancho RSX Reflex, and Rancho RS5000 shocks?” All three are reputable products from a company that helped pioneer the off-road industry, yet each is built for different uses and driving experiences. The Rancho RS line of shocks are geared toward the Jeep, truck, and SUV markets especially if the vehicle will be used in off-road conditions.

At the entry level is the Rancho RS5000 shock absorber. The RS5000 shock is a premium (almost general-purpose) shock often installed as a better-than-factory replacement for vehicles with worn out shocks or upgraded suspensions. It’s also recommended for the budget-minded consumer. The RS5000 is designed to provide comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to mild off-road. The result of this is a ride quality that’s often bumpier than what the factory shocks provided because firm shocks are ideal for off-road driving and this comes at the sacrifice of some street comfort.

An upgrade from the RS5000 is the RSX Reflex shock. The uniqueness of this shock is the incorporation of an automatic “impact-sensing” valve that opens and closes depending on how quickly the piston is forced in or out. This provides a broader range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to aggressive off-road. The greatest aspect of the RSX is that each shock is engineered specifically for the vehicle for which it will be installed. This provides optimal performance in concert with the vehicle’s weight. The downside of the RSX is that it’s a “light(er)-truck” shock and therefore not available for heavy-duty (HD) and super-duty (SD) trucks and larger SUVs (at least not at this time). This isn’t to say that it can’t handle heavy off-road use, because it can. It just can’t handle the excess weight of certain full-size vehicles.

An upgrade from both the RS5000 and RSX Reflex is the RS9000XL. The RS9000XL shock features a manually-tuned valve system that allows the driver complete control of the softness or firmness of the piston movement. This provides the broadest range of comfort and control across the driving spectrum from street to extreme off-road. Ride quality can be set soft for highway driving, medium for city/urban driving, and firm for off-road driving and even towing. There are nine possible settings so a quality ride can be had by even the pickiest driver (or their passengers). In addition to manual tuning, an auxiliary remote control unit is available that allows the shocks to be adjusted at the touch of a button while the vehicle is parked or in motion. The RS9000XL was designed with today’s bigger trucks in mind so in addition to the typical 2-1/8″ and 2-3/8″ body diameters found on most shocks, the RS9000XL is also available with a 2-3/4″ body for select full-size applications.

When choosing your Rancho shocks, you’ll need to consider your budget and what kind of driving they’ll be used for. As expected, RS5000 cost the least, RSX cost approximately 40-50% more, and RS9000XL cost approximately 40-50% more than that. If you’re looking to save money or merely replace your old, worn out shocks, the RS5000’s will work adequately. If you’re still on a budget, but want a ride superior to what an RS5000 offers, then the RSX Reflex is recommended. If budget is not an issue, or if you want the best shock available without getting into the “extreme” off-road shocks, then the RS9000XL is recommended.

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Source by Dorian Jepsen

Why Buying a Used Mercedes Car is a Great Investment

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Mercedes-Benz is a German based manufacturer of luxury cars for sale. As an established name in the luxury car industry, it is possible to purchase one of their masterpieces as a form of investment you can enjoy now and in the future. Unlike other cars, it doesn’t lose its value as badly as cars of other make and model from other manufacturers. While the cost of getting a brand new Mercedes Benz can be really high, there is no reason why you should not settle for a used Mercedes Benz that would give you the same kind of status symbol a brand new Mercedes would give you.

Here are just some of the reasons why investing in a used Mercedes Benz is a great idea.

Market Value

The market value of a Mercedes is highly impressive and you can expect to retain its value especially if you purchased a used car. They are also likely to be converted into a classic car and this is one reason why getting one is a great investment.

Status Symbol

Mercedes Benz has been associated with status symbol and prestige and owning one clearly states your station in life loud and clear. Owning a Mercedes Benz with its high cost of maintenance has given its owner certain prestige and glamour that is exclusive to owners of these luxury cars. Mercedes Benz is the car driven by celebrities and then most successful and wealthy people around and those who are fortunate enough to own one clearly belongs to these successful group individuals.

Comfort

The ride is pretty comfortable for the driver himself and the passengers alike if you have been riding in a Mercedes Benz you would never feel the same way riding in other cars. There is a certain level of comfort being in a Mercedes car that is simply irreplaceable and you need to experience it for yourself I you wish to exactly what I mean.

Beauty

A Mercedes is a sheer work of beauty and art and embodies the latest technological and engineering feat. If you want a vehicle that looks good and gives you the high performance you are after, nothing beats a Mercedes Benz. Each model is a true beauty and embodies the finest masterpieces that would make any owner proud to own it.

Durability

They are highly durable and you can expect the car to last very long and it is often used as a classic car or a masterpiece that continue to rise in value with each passing year.

Safety

They are very safe and this is one of the biggest reasons a lot of people choose to invest in these beauties. It is made from very solid materials that can withstand impact and still preserve the fragile lives riding in one of the cars.

Historical Value

A Mercedes will always be a piece of history and owning one of your own serves as a sweet reminiscent of the old days where this car has graced the lives of the most powerful and influential people around.

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Source by Dan Hackett