1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Used Coil Springs on 2040-parts.com

Ford eyes dandelions as sustainable alternative to synthetic rubber

Ford, in conjunction with Ohio State University, is turning to the humble garden weed as sustainable resource, researching the dandelion's potential use as an alternative to synthetic rubber. While the automaker already makes considerable use of sustainable materials in its vehicles – such as soy foam seat cushions and straw-filled plastic for interior trim – this latest discovery opens up a wealth of new possibilities for automotive applications. According to research conducted by Ford, a milky-white substance that is found in certain dandelion roots can produce a sustainable rubber that could be used to create plastic parts for vehicle interiors.

Hyundai ix-Metro Concept revealed

The Hyundai ix-Metro Concept will be previewd at Frankfurt (click image for bigger photo) We already know that Hyundai will be taking the new ix35 / Tucson ix to Frankfurt, and now comes news that Hyundai have produced a mini crossover concept – the Hyundai ixMetro Concept - which will be presented at Frankfurt and go in to production in 2011. The ix-Metro features a 1.0 litre, 3-pot, turbo, direct injection petrol hybrid which delivers a very impressive 125 bhp. But it also manages to emit just 80g/km CO2.

AC Cars returns to UK

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 23 April 2008 14:28 AC Cars is coming back to Britain to build its sports car range at Brooklands. It follows an unsuccessful foray to manufacture cars in Malta – which has ended in a legal dispute over the island factory. The company will make the original AC Ace, the AC MK11, the AC MK11 FIA and the AC MK111 at an AC specialist based in Surrey, England, employing artisans to make the aluminium chassis.