1967 Oldsmobile 425 Engine Oil Pan on 2040-parts.com

Nissan 370Z unveiled at LA Auto Show

By Ben Pulman Motor Shows 19 November 2008 17:10 Nissan pulled the wraps of its new 370Z coupe at today’s LA Auto Show, and confirmed that a Roadster version will arrive within the next 12 months. Topping the list of 370Z talking points are a shorter wheelbase, a larger engine, a seven-speed automatic and the world’s first rev-matching six-speed manual gearbox. Nissan dubs it the ‘SynchroRev Match’ function (they would, wouldn't they?), and it essentially blips the throttle to smooth out any shifts.

BMW Concept Coupe

BMW unveiled their latest concept in the run up to the contemporary Mille Miglia, a road race for cars that competed during the original event held between 1933 and 1957. The BMW 328 that set the fastest time in 1940, averaging over 100mph, has also provided inspiration for the Coupe Concept, which mixes the older car's silhouette with surfaces closer to the Z4 on which it is based. Powered by BMW's seminal 343PS engine, the car is wrapped with carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), whose form is defined by designers using plaster rather than clay "for a closer emotional experience".

Porsche buys Nardo for high-speed tests

Porsche has announced it is to take ownership of the famous Nardo Proving Ground in southern Italy. The company's engineering consultancy wing, the Porsche Engineering Group, will assume ownership as of May 2012. Nardo is currently owned by Italian firm Prototipo SpA.  No fee has been disclosed by either party.