82 Yamaha Virago Xv 920 Speedo Drive W / Cable X on 2040-parts.com

Concept Car of the Week: AMC Amitron (1967)

While the American auto industry spent most of the late ‘60s creating huge barges powered by monstrous engines with loud decals on disco paint jobs, AMC believed in the future of compact cars, fuel economy, and go-faster stripes. Designed under Richard Teague's supervision, the quirky Amitron was unveiled in 1967 in a hotel in Detroit. Measuring less than 2,200mm long, it is 350mm shorter than a Smart Fortwo and its wide track gave room for three passengers seating abreast.

Cars, Culture and the City

When you think of American cities associated with the car it is Los Angeles of course that leaps first to mind, thanks mostly to Hollywood, and Detroit second. But New York turns out to have been vital in the history of car design, as I found researching an exhibition Cars, Culture and the City at the Museum of the City of New York as guest curator over the last few months, working with the museums curator architecture and design, Donald Albrecht. The show has just opened, on March 25.

Local Motors announces Pacific Northwest competition winners

Local Motors has announced the results of its Pacific Northwest design competition, which asked contenders to create a vehicle for the region's inhabitants. Taking into account nature's four elements - Earth, wind, fire and water - designers the world over answered a brief that called for designs that would enable drivers in the Pacific Northwest to 'thrive in the elements'. Competition entrants were encouraged to create a vehicle inspired by the elements or specifically tailored to allow the users to better experience the elements, all while causing little to no environmental impact.