Predator 212 Hemi Billet Flywheel 6696 on 2040-parts.com

Concept Car of the Week: Ford Forty-Nine (2001)

Over 1.3 million orders were placed for the 1949 Ford before it even went officially on sale. The revolutionary post-war design with slick slab sides and semi-covered wheels became a symbol of American optimism. "The inspiration for the Forty-Nine concept comes from the passion and excitement of the original, combined with the imagination of people across America who customized the car and turned it into what they thought a really great car should be," said J Mays, Ford's vice president of Design at the unveiling of the retro-futurist coupe back in 2001.

BMW Motorrad Concept 6 (2009) unveiled

Yes, we know this BMW is a pair of wheels short of CAR Online’s usual offerings, but we couldn’t resist giving some space to this stunning straight six-powered BMW sports bike concept. Yes, you read that right - the BMW Concept 6 has a 1600cc straight six slung across the frame. Honda tried something similar for the CBX1000 in the 1970s but the idea never really caught on even if the true width increase over a contemporary four wasn’t as huge as your eyes would have you believe.

Ford's NA Design Director aims to shorten product lifecycles

Peter Horbury, Ford Motor Company North America Design Director, has told Automotive News he intends to shorten product lifecycles at the ailing company from an average five years to three years starting this decade. "We feel there is no value in minor changes but a huge value in major changes," Horbury told the industry weekly. Ford needs to ensure that buyers continue visiting showrooms as the giant automaker struggles to retain market share.