Gm Tilt Steering Column W/4 Spoke Wheel, 73-77 Malibu, New Keys, Ec on 2040-parts.com

NHTSA opens investigation into Ford Taurus throttle issue

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a preliminary investigation into claims of the throttle sticking open on the Ford Taurus from the 2005-06 model years. NHSTA says there are 14 claims of a stuck throttle in the Taurus, possibly because of the cruise-control cable becoming detached. No injuries have been reported.

Check out British classic cars from The Queen's English

Some years, they get real English weather at The Queen's English car show, a gathering of the Empire's best (and few still running) British cars. Even though it's held in Van Nuys, in sunny Southern California, it has been rained out three of the last six or so years, with only a handful of hearty Land Rovers showing up and peeping out of their SUVs beneath bumbershoots. But this year was all glorious sunshine, the likes of which might never have been seen back in Jolly Old.

Insurance group lists its Top Safety Picks

After increasing its standards for 2011 models, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that 66 vehicles--more than double the 2010 total--rate as best in the industry at protecting passengers from front, side, rollover and rear crashes. Only 27 vehicles qualified last year after the group, funded by the insurance industry, required that vehicles pass a roof-strength test to earn a good rating, claiming that stronger roofs would reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury by 50 percent in a rollover accident. The most mentioned carmakers on the 2011 list are Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi, both with nine vehicles to get the Top Safety Pick designation.