Triumph Tr7 • Original Alternator Mounting Bracket, #tkc3368. Used. Kt968 on 2040-parts.com

Unique pre-war Lagonda saloon headed for auction

AN ULTRA-RARE V12-engined Lagonda Hooper two-door saloon from 1939 is set to headline an auction of amazing old cars. The Lagonda V12 Hooper is technically unique in history, having been built specifically for the wife of the owner of Hooper Bodies Ltd., the most noted coachbuilder of the pre-war era. Now, 75 years after it was built, it needs a complete restoration but still looks set to receive bids topping at least £75,000.

Smart E-Scooter concept (2010) first design sketches

These sketches are our first glimpse at the potential future of Smart. Called the E-Scooter, it's a concept that will be unveiled at the 2010 Paris motor show. No, not a bit of it – there are, in fact, more cars coming too as well.

London Taxi maker Manganese Bronze bought by China’s Geely

China automotive giant Geely has bought Manganese Bronze – makers of the iconic London Black Cab – in an £11.04 million deal. The iconic London Black Cab has been an accident waiting to happen for years, as under investment in making the Black Cab fit for the 21st century saw competition – like the Mercedes Vito Taxi and the Nissan NV200 Cab – start to offer serious competition to the taxi that identifies London. Despite an investment by China’s Geely – when Geely bought 20 per cent of Manganese Bronze, makers of the Black Cab – and the bulk of the Black Cab being produced in China and bolted together in the Midlands, the final nail in the coffin for Manganese Bronze was the recall of 400 TX4 cabs over a steering fault.