1979 Fiat Spider on 2040-parts.com

Crash injuries force Franchitti to retire

SCOTTISH RACING STAR Dario Franchitti has been forced to retire after suffering a number of injuries in a high-speed crash during a race in the US last month. The four-time IndyCar series winner spent five days in hospital after suffering concussion, a fractured vertebrae and a broken ankle in the last-lap crash at the Grand Prix of Houston in Texas. Franchitti, originally from Bathgate, West Lothian, said he had taken the decision based on medical advice.

1955 Ford Thunderbird takes 2012 Ridler Award at Detroit Autorama

Dwayne Peace, his family and his 1955 Ford Thunderbird took hot-rodding's top prize at the Detroit Autorama on Sunday: the 49th Don Ridler Memorial Award. Peace, accompanied by his two sons who helped build the car, received the trophy and a check for $10,000. The Ridler Award is named for Don Ridler, an athlete and Autorama event promoter from 1957 to 1961.

SoCal Speed shop wins AMBR award as hod-rodding returns to its roots

In a competition that "took hot-rodding back to its SoCal roots," the SoCal Speed Shop--the entity founded by original hot-rod hero Alex Xydias and now helmed by Pete Chapouris--finally won the AMBR. That's AMBR, as in, America's Most Beautiful Roadster, the most sought-after title in all of hot-rodding and the crowning glory of the Grand National Roadster Show. There is that competition at the Detroit Autorama that hands out the Ridler Award, but that is open to all manner of kustom kars.