1983 Yamaha Venture Royale Xvz1200 Xvz 1200 Drive Shaft on 2040-parts.com

Karmann-Ghia Coupé redesigned by Brazilian students

The winners of the Karmann-Ghia Brazilian student competition to design a modern interpretation of its classic Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Coupé have been revealed. Over almost 60 years the German-Italian company has become an important supplier of car bodies and tooling in Brazil, but the market has lacked a model carrying the Karmann-Ghia badge since the '70s. The original coupé, which inspired the contest, was launched in Brazil in 1962 and remained in the market for 10 years before it was replaced by the Volkswagen SP – considered the first car completely developed in the country.

One Lap of the Web: new imports, old imports

-- The 1956 Maserati A6G-2000 Allemano is as beautiful as it is rare, and if Jay Leno didn't take one for a spin in this video, we probably wouldn't see one until next year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. -- Simon Cowell (of Simon Cowell fame) bought a Bugatti Veyron three years ago because a friend told him its a good idea, and he's driven it a total of two times since. Not driven it at its maximum speed, but just driven period.

Skoda has its best year ever

Skoda UK - Record sales in 2011 Skoda UK has reported sales for the first 11 months of 2011 have already beaten total sales for 2010. Long gone are the days when Skoda was thought of as a skip on wheels. In the little over a decade since it was brought in from the cold by VW, Skoda has gone from strength to strength.