by Admin
October 6, 2011
Created in 1898, the Michelin Man is among the world’s oldest and most iconic mascots. However, few people know much about him and his origins.
Firstly, and most surprising to many customers, “Michelin Man” is not his real name. For his first advertisement, the Michelin Man was portrayed as a regal figure at a banquet table. With a champagne glass full of road hazards – broken glass, nails, etc. – thrust high in the air, he borrows a famous line from the iconic Latin poet Horace and proclaims “Nunc est bibendum” or “Now is the time to drink.” His meager looking table mates – also made of tires – look on with a mixture of admiration and self-doubt on their faces. The ad goes on to declare that tough Michelin tires “drink up” road obstacles. In honor of the strength of Michelin tires and his catch phrase, the Michelin Man was named Bibendum.
Bibendum’s appearance has varied over his 100-plus years in the tire industry. In the original ad, his body is composed of thin beige-colored bicycle tires. He is also quite portly and wears pince-nez glasses on a lanyard. Presently, he’s a bit slimmer and made of automobile tires. Many have wondered why, if he is made of automobile tires, Bibendum is completely white. Any tire you buy is black, but they are not inherently that color. When tires are manufactured, they are a white or light beige color. They were even sold like this prior to 1912. Now, carbon is added to the tire’s base rubber compound to strengthen and preserve it – which turns the tire black. Bibendum is simply made of tires that have not undergone this process.
Even after 100 years, Bibendum is still confident in his ability to drink up road hazards. That’s why Michelin has created the Michelin Promise. When you buy Michelin tires from The Tire Choice, you get a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, flat tire changing assistance for three years, and a limited mileage warranty – all as part of the Michelin Promise.
See what Bibendum has to offer and shop for Michelin tires at The Tire Choice today!
by Admin
September 27, 2011
Tire rims come in a wide range of sizes. Generally, more upscale vehicles have bigger rims – usually 20” or larger. On an interesting note, 21” tire rims are an extremely rare size. Of course they are only found on high class vehicles, as you can see from the chart below:
Chances are if you own one of these vehicles, you are very particular about who handles repairs and maintenance – especially when it comes to mounting new tires onto your 21” rims. Twenty-one is a rare size; without the proper know-how and equipment, your rims can be easily damaged during mounting.
To avoid this risk, you likely defer to a reputable dealer for your repairs and maintenance. However, trips to the dealer can be a hassle. Luckily, The Tire Choice has you and your luxury vehicle covered. We have all the high-performance equipment needed to service your luxury or exotic car, no matter what model it is. Most of our stores are equipped with machinery that exceeds dealerships’ standards. And we always beat dealership prices – sometimes by as much as 75% percent! Of course, we also have top-of-line mounting equipment that can handle any vehicle and any tire size – even 21” rims.
So, don’t let your classy car continue become a chore, and don’t put your rare rims at risk. Bring your vehicle to The Tire Choice and get superior service, and superior savings.
