1965 Johnson Outboard Motor 9.5hp Mq-11c Serial J2560413 on 2040-parts.com

LX-rated love-in: Web forum members make their virtual passion real

The Dodge Charger, the Challenger and the Chrysler 300C share more than what Chrysler calls its LX platform. They also share an enthusiastic owner base at the www.lxforums.com Web site, where for the last six years more than 33,000 enthusiastic owners have met virtually to share information, photos and love for their cars. Event founder and 2005 300C owner John Fortuno calls it a "modern-day version of the car club." Five years ago he decided to "bring the virtual to reality" by staging a Spring Festival car show in Southern California where members could meet in person.

Ford completes $14 million overhaul at its German design studio

Ford has opened a $14.5 million expansion of its design studios at Merkenich-Cologne in Germany. Global design work for Ford's subcompact and compact vehicles, including the Fiesta and the Focus, is done at the center, which is close to the automaker's Cologne factory where the Fiesta is built. The expansion is the largest since the studios were constructed in 1968 and increases the size by about 32,300 square feet to about 172,000 square feet.

First Ferrari 458 Italia in U.S. auctioned for $530,000 to benefit Haiti

It's one thing to own a Ferrari; it's another to be the first one to own an all-new model. The first 458 Italia was auctioned off on Thursday night for $530,000 in a stunning charity gala held at a Beverly Hills estate that made the Clampett mansion look like the carriage house where the pool boy stayed. Auctioneer David Gooding donated his services and got the ball rolling at $250,000, which was more than the expected MSRP for the car of about $220,000.