97 98 99 Seadoo Xp Limited Xpl Rear Access Cover 269500343 on 2040-parts.com

The Mini is 50 years old today

  Today - 08/05/2009 - is the 50th anniversary of the first Mini rolling off the production line. To celebrate, and for a bit of free publicity (see, we’re playing the game) BMW has shipped the first Mini to roll of the production line back to Cowley to celebrate (picture at the bottom). 621 AOK, a Mini Minor, in Old English White, looks as fresh as the day it rolled off the production line half a century ago (although I wouldn’t mind betting it doesn’t have it’s original sills – they always rusted through – or copes with its original distributor and leads – one splash of rain and the car ground to a halt!).

Ducati 1199 Panigale merges components, sheds weight [w/gallery]

Ducati has released an image of its new 1199 Panigale without its fairings, illustrating how multiple elements of the bike have been fused together to make it incredibly lightweight and compact. The motorcycle manufacturer has managed to reduce the overall dry weight to be reduced by 10kg to a benchmark weight of just 164kg. The monocoque connects to the specially-designed engine's cylinder heads and comes forward to house the steering head bearings.

One in five suffers 'car envy'

DRIVERS in the UK are more likely to give way to classic or unusual cars such as a Citroen 2CV or Volkswagen Beetle, but one in five also admits they are less likely to be courteous to large 4x4s due to car envy, according to a survey. Nearly a half (47%) of UK motorists say they leave more space between their car and the one in front if the car ahead is driven by an elderly driver. Others (5%) admit to trying to slow down boy racers if they see the driver is wearing a baseball cap and is a young male.