07 Volvo S80 Automatic Transmission 6 Cylinder Fwd 22867 on 2040-parts.com

Brian Wilson to perform at Petersen fundraiser

The annual Petersen Automotive Museum's fundraising event on May 7 promises to be fun, fun, fun when Beach Boy Brian Wilson and his band take the stage. The rock-'n'-roll icon is scheduled to play for an hour as part of the museum's largest charity event of the year, proceeds from which benefit the 501(c)(3) institution. The Beach Boys had a lot of car-themed hits, including "409," "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Fun, Fun, Fun." (AutoWeek trivia: The Deuce Coupe featured on the cover of the album of the same name belonged to Clarence "Chili" Catallo, whose son, the successful and powerful advertising executive Curt Catallo, once was a lowly editorial assistant at AutoWeek).

New car sales see record growth period

ANOTHER rise last month has taken UK car sales to their longest-ever period of growth. A total of 194,032 new cars were registered in May – a 7.7% rise on the May 2013 figure, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. The increase last month was the 27th consecutive monthly rise – beating the previous record of 26 months of growth between May 1987 and June 1989.

Honda Civic Ti (2012) first official pictures

Honda has glued a few glitzy bits to the latest Civic in recognition of its British Touring Car Championship participation, to create the new Civic Ti. The 5-door ‘race-inspired’ Civic is based on the 1.8 SE model, but comes with colour-coded wheel arches and some 17-inch ‘Le Mans’ alloy wheels. If that’s not enough to send you running down to the dealership, then Honda hopes the addition of a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearstick might.