Gm Heat Riser Valve V8 454, 455--1975 To 1977 on 2040-parts.com

Collector electrifies a 1955 LaSalle Roadster

Just months after Joe Bortz's unveiling of the restored 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, the auto archeologist and collector is moving into the second phase of restoration with another General Motors Motorama concept car: the 1955 LaSalle Roadster. But here's the key difference--the LaSalle is going electric. As the LaSalle's motor was never completed, the roadster is considered a “push mobile.” To prepare the car so that it can be driven--rather than pushed--on the road, Bortz has teamed up with Pioneer Conversions, an Illinois business focusing in the electric conversion of various vehicles.

Ex-TVR chairman Peter Wheeler (1944-2009)

By Peter Adams Motor Industry 12 June 2009 11:50 Peter Wheeler, the chairman of TVR from 1980 to 2004, has died. Wheeler was in charge of TVR during some of the company’s finest modern years, launching lightweight and powerful rear-wheel drive Blackpool-built sports car including the Chimaera and Griffith, and the Cerbera, Tuscan, Tamora and Sagaris with TVR's own engine. Wheeler passed away during the night on Thursday 11 June after a short illness.

Autoweek's top-12 most read stories of 2012

From an infamous Texas house fire, to the death of one of the greats, autoweek.com's top-12 most read stories of 2012 offer a look back at a wild year. This year while we tested some of the best enthusiast vehicles, ran around auto shows and spoke with automotive movers and shakers, we kept track of what piqued your interests. What, you thought we weren't paying attention?