1968 Impala Caprice Outside Door Handles on 2040-parts.com

7 performance cars for less than $30,000 part two: Honda Civic Si vs. Volkswagen GTI

It's hard to fathom, but it's been more than a decade since the peak of the sport-compact craze saw modified Honda Civics cluttering the streets. Enthusiasts salivated over a Type R that wasn't (and still isn't) available on our shores, instead having to settle for the Si. Fast-forward to today and the debut of the ninth-generation Civic for the 2012 model year brings a new Si.

Ford Model T climbs Ben Nevis: Ford Heritage Images

Ford Model T climbs Ben Nevis in 1911 (click for full size image) When the good Mr Clarkson decided Top Gear should do a piece about a Land Rover Discovery using its incredible off-road abilities to climb a mountain in Scotland we were all astonished that – despite a couple of hiccups on the way – he managed to get one of Land Rover’s finest up a mountain where cars were never designed to go. What’s even more astonishing is that Ford managed to do the same 100 years go, but they used a standard Model T and choose Britain’s tallest mountain – Ben Nevis – for the stunt. The 20 horsepower Model T was driven up Ben Nevis as a publicity stunt for Ford’s agent in Edinburgh.

Race like a champion with the Race of Champions smartphone app

The winter months bring a lull to motorsports. Many of the series champions are wrapped up. Luckily, that gives drivers time to compete in the yearly Race of Champions.