1984-86 Ford Svo Hurst Shift Knob on 2040-parts.com

Mini USA celebrates 10-year anniversary

Mini USA issued a celebratory press release on Wednesday marking the 10th anniversary of its entry into the U.S. car market. The Anglo-Germanic reimagining of Sir Alec Issigonis's OG hot hatch has spawned six new models since 2002, including a convertible for hairdressers and a tiny SUV for forest gnomes.

Aston Martin, AMG ink technical partnership deal

It's hard to remember that the VH-platform Aston Martins were pretty mind-bending when they came out. Since the sports-luxury marque was cut loose from Ford's stewardship six years ago, the British manufacturer has seemed a bit adrift, largely playing with variations on a theme, save for the rather radical One-77. It is, of course, a very pretty theme, but the basic design language begun with the DB9 is now a decade old.

Everything is bigger in Texas, even speed limits

Texas is preparing to open a stretch of toll road this November with the highest speed limit in America: 85 mph. The road between Austin and San Antonio will stretch for 41 miles, in an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion on nearby Interstate 35. There are already roads in Texas and Utah where the posted speed limit is 80 mph.