1968 Mercury Brochure Original Montego Cyclone Cougar on 2040-parts.com

Toyota recalls Corolla, Lexus IS models

On Wednesday, Toyota said it is recalling 752,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles from the 2003 and 2004 model years, and about 270,000 Lexus IS vehicles built between 2006 and 2012. The Corolla and Corolla Matrix may be susceptible to an electrical short that could cause the frontal airbag and front seatbelt pre-tensioners to inadvertently deploy, according to Toyota. The Lexus IS faces a problem with windshield wipers that are not sufficiently secured and may not operate properly when weighted down by heavy snow.

Ah, to be in Paris . . .

Well, I'm bummed. The Paris motor show press days are next week, and I'm not going. That's right; while my colleagues are cavorting in one of the world's great cities, I'll be here in the Paris of the Midwest, holding down the proverbial fort.

Opel/Vauxhall Corsa E

If this fifth-generation Opel Corsa looks familiar, that's because this is more a heavy facelift than an all-new car.Opel has concentrated efforts on the eight-year old Corsa's mechanicals rather than an all-new bodyshell. Instead every exterior panel has been redesigned, alongside the entire interior.This is the first Corsa developed under GM Europe's VP of design, Mark Adams and his influence is clear to see, with the incorporation of the lower bodyside 'blade' surface and the pouting mouth of the Adam.While its proportions and upper body are clearly carried over, the new nose treatment in particular disguises the car's high scuttle thanks to the lower grille, lamps and diving shoulderline. The hood also gains a deeply recessed center surface that visually cheats down its height.In order to disguise the carryover glass, the rear of the five-door version's DLO now kicks up at the base of the C-pillar rather than running through into the rear, giving a stronger aesthetic.