Superior Sl11796 Valve Springs on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Motel kitsch, Bentley dragsters and rusting Porsches

-- The roach motel lives on in these postcards from Petrolicious. The Googie signs and modernist architecture jump from the Howard Johnsons and Travelodges of the 1950s, when buildings were built in color. For a precious few decades in the tapestry of American interstate travel, before they became the refuge of schlocky horror movies, the motor hotel was the true King of the Road.

Opel Flexstreme concept

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 11 September 2007 03:13 Opel Flextreme: the lowdown Vauxhall’s European sister brand Opel showed off its surprise at Frankfurt today – the new Flextreme concept car. Under that voluminous monocab body lies GM’s E-Flex plug-in hybrid system. It’s the latest trend in hybrids, allowing up to 30 miles of zero-emissions electric operation, after which the diesel engine kicks in to recharge the battery.

Porsche 911 Black Edition (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

The current Porsche 911 isn’t dead yet – this is the run-out Black Edition special. Just 1911 examples will ever be built, and it’s loaded with extras to keep 911 sales ticking over until the all-new version is unveiled later this year. Unlike the Carrera GTS, which is the most focussed (and brilliant) 911 this side of a Porsche Motorsport product, the Black Edition is based on the entry level Carrera.