Auctioneer Dean Kruse's money woes continue

Auburn, Ind., auctioneer Dean Kruse has been ordered by a local court to pay more than $1.3 million to an Indiana bank, and a leasing company has asked a federal judge to repossess Kruse's 1985 Cessna jet, which had been insured at $3.5 million. These two recent events are on top of several months' worth of financial woes for one of the classic-car world's best-known auctioneers. AutoWeek reported in August that people from across the country were complaining that they had not been paid for cars sold at various Kruse International auctions.

Ford resurrects Vignale name in an attempt to add premiumness to mainstream models

Ford is resurrecting the name of renowned Italian design house Vignale in an attempt to bring its mainstream models up market in Europe. Of course this isn't Ford's first experience of using a defunct carrozzeria for its range-topping models – remember Ghia? The first of these new models will be the Mondeo, which will appear with Vignale badging, lashings of chrome and quilted leather in Frankfurt next week.

1933 Plymouth Coupe set for Scottsdale auction

A 1933 Plymouth Coupe Street Rod will cross the block at the Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction, Jan. 19-23, 2011. Custom-built by Bob K's Classic Restorations in Spirit Lake, Iowa, this street rod has more than $100,000 invested into it.