Straightline Performance Lightweight Silencer 134-169 on 2040-parts.com

Volvo S80 Executive & V70 R-Design launched

The Volvo V70 gets a bit of added butch with the launch of the V70 R-Design The last news we had from Volvo was that the S60 & XC60 R-Design were going to get more get up and go. Sadly, the extra oomph was reserved for the US. Today’s news, however, applies to Volvos on both sides of the Pond, with a new top-end S80 being revealed – the Volvo S80 Executive – and a butch take on the V70 – the Volvo V70 R-Design.

UK car production slumps, state help sought

By Digby Fullam Motor Industry 21 November 2008 14:30 The full effect of the downturn in the global economy is being felt by the UK motor industry, new figures out today reveal. Car production at British factories fell by 29.5% from October 2007's figure.  That makes it the worst October production figures since 1991 which, if you’ll cast your mind back, was the last recession. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders blamed the slump on 'a rapid reduction in demand for motor vehicles.' It’s not just us Brits that aren’t buying cars, either.

German Parts Pillagers Roam the American Southwest, Sending Treasures Home For Future Car Museum

Quite a few older European cars are purchased in rust-free parts of the United States and then shipped back to the home continent, and this process tends to intensify when the Euro gets stronger versus the dollar. While that's going on, crews of European gearheads also roam the wrecking yards of the Southwest, filling shipping containers with parts to ship back home; I know of a trio of Swedes who come to Colorado every year and ship home tons of parts, but they've got nothing on this pair of Germans. These gentlemen fly to the United States four times each year, spending two or three weeks each trip, and send home cars and shipping containers packed with parts, all as part of a scheme to open up a car collection showcasing "cars from the road." They were kind enough to send me a bunch of photos of their most recent trip, so let's see what their enviable lifestyle looks like.