Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

A life of Jaguars: a reader's Jaguarography

Way back in the early Sixties, my late father had a series of Jaguar saloons. Firstly there was a 1946 1.5 litre which he bought for £12. To me, at 12 years old, this car was magnificent, so much so, that I wrote to Jaguar at Coventry, telling them so, and in return I received three spiral bound brochures (with tissue interleaves) of their current range.

Take your driving test – at Halfords

Plans have been announced to extend practical driving test centres in to Halfords stores, starting with Wellingborough on February 5th. At the moment, there are around 400 driving test centres in the UK where you can take the practical part of your driving test, but that’s about to change with the news that Halfords – the car accessories chain – is to start offering driving tests. Halfords stores around the UK are expected to start offering test facilities after Road Safety Minister, Stephen Hammond, gave the go ahead for to extend driving test in to local stores to give learners more choice.

Mercedes introduces illuminated three-pointed star [w/video]

Illuminated badges and emblems on cars aren't a new idea – those old enough to remember will recall the warm glow of the old Wolseley grille emblems – but in recent history they have been the reserve of concept cars and the aftermarket. Mercedes is set to restart the trend however as it begins to offer an LED-illuminated star as a dealer-fit option on the E–, GL–, M– and CLS–Class. We've started to see lighting spill out onto the exterior of concept cars for a while and this move is sure to have other OEMs and aftermarket firms alike following Mercedes' lead.