1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone Monterey Dome Light C4mb-14389-a on 2040-parts.com

Design Contest: Michelin Challenge Design announces 2008 theme and call for entries

Michelin Challenge Design, one of the world's fastest growing transportation design programs, has announced it will continue its focus on safety in 2008 under the central theme of 'Safety over Size.' The 2008 theme was announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where the Michelin Challenge Design exhibit showcased works from vehicle manufacturers, students, as well as the first full-size concept to be submitted by an independent entrant. Rising energy costs, urban congestion and environmental concerns are all contributing to an increased interest in smaller vehicles, but consumers are often hesitant to consider smaller vehicles due to safety concerns that are both real and perceived. Participating designers are encouraged to 'throw away the book' and to present ideas that enhance the real and perceived safety and security of smaller vehicles through design innovations in areas such as accident avoidance, enhanced driver controls, survivability and visibility.

The Chevrolet El Camino turns 55 today

When your author was 14 years old, his first car, a 1975 Chevrolet El Camino, arrived in his parents' driveway. You can read all about that particular swivel-seated malaise special elsewhere on this site. Today, that is not so important.

Abarth 500C: Hot Fiat Convertible at Geneva

Fiat are debuting the convertible hot Fiat 500 - the Abarth 500C - at the Geneva Motor Show It’s taken Fiat a very long time to catch up with the story we ran in July last year. We’d heard that Fiat were planning a hot version of the hugely successful Fita 500C – the convertible – in the form of the Abarth 500C. We then got confirmation that the Abarth 500C was coming in October and finally we’ve learnt  that Fiat will be taking the new Abarth 500C to the Geneva Motor Show next week.