Aluminum-boat Rod Holder on 2040-parts.com

Detroit convention center to get upgrades for auto show

For now, the Motor City will retain its spot on the calendar of international auto shows, as plans to upgrade the aging convention center where it's held annually will move forward. A $300 million deal to renovate and expand the nearly 50-year-old Cobo Center in Detroit is set to proceed after an Aug. 1 deadline to scuttle the plan passed without opposition from local officials.

Brabus unveils 850-hp grocery getter

It wouldn't be the Essen Motor Show without German tuning house Brabus introducing its own versions of one or two of Mercedes-Benz cars, with borderline-unbelievable power figures. And this year the Bottrop-based outfit didn't disappoint, rolling out the Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo based on the 2014 E63 AMG station wagon. For starters, Brabus has increased the V8 engine's displacement from 5,461cc to 5,912cc, installing custom-made forged pistons and a precision balanced billet crankshaft, and replacing the stock turbos with ones of their own design featuring larger compressor units.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 30 December 2006 12:40 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe: the lowdown Rolls-Royce today reveals the first pictures of its new, £300,000 convertible, the Phantom Drophead Coupé. It's a very grand name for a very grand motor car. The Phantom Drophead Coupe will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show on 7 January, but over the next five pages we will give you the lowdown on Rolls' first drop-top since the Corniche, which met its maker in 2002.