Ford Thunderbird Heater Core, 1967 on 2040-parts.com

Historic Motoring Awards Car of the Year 2013 shortlist revealed

Think of this as the alternative Car of the Year competition. You won't find any diesel hatchbacks, practical MPVs or mk7 Volkswagen Golfs in the 2013 International Historic Motoring Awards. The awards celebrate the 'best of the best' in the international historic motoring industry, with the 'Birkin' Bentley picking up the award in 2012.

CAR tech: Audi's miracle e-fuel (2013)

Global warming; sky-high oil prices as reserves peak; spiralling crop prices and intense pressure to find fertile land – society faces immense challenges, as it strives to protect the planet and keep our cars on the move. Audi is working on a miracle fuel that could help mitigate these problems, in a facility under construction in the uncompromising, scorching environment of New Mexico, USA.  Not content with having a range more diverse than London’s World Pride parade, Audi is moving into the fuels business, in partnership with US biotech firm Joule Unlimited. The pair are developing carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, called e-fuels in keeping with Audi’s E-tron eco brand.

Big Willie Robinson: 1942-2012

Big Willie Robinson was as much legend and myth as flesh and bone, and at six feet, six inches and weighing 300 pounds, with 21-inch biceps and a 58-inch chest, there was a lot of flesh and bone. Robinson was more than a drag racer, promoter and sanctioning-body president. He was the man who used the power of horsepower to unite people of all colors and creeds under the banner of drag racing, once saying at a race, “Ain't no colors here, it's all just engines.” As the founder and president of the National and International Brotherhood of Street Racers, he used racing to bring the races together.