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

The Mini is 50 years old today

  Today - 08/05/2009 - is the 50th anniversary of the first Mini rolling off the production line. To celebrate, and for a bit of free publicity (see, we’re playing the game) BMW has shipped the first Mini to roll of the production line back to Cowley to celebrate (picture at the bottom). 621 AOK, a Mini Minor, in Old English White, looks as fresh as the day it rolled off the production line half a century ago (although I wouldn’t mind betting it doesn’t have it’s original sills – they always rusted through – or copes with its original distributor and leads – one splash of rain and the car ground to a halt!).

Paramount Marauder – yep, the one from Top Gear

The Marauder lays waste a wall We knew the Hamster was off to South Africa to play with a vehicle that made the Hummer look like a Tonka Toy. And we knew – because they ‘hinted’ at it when we spoke to them last week – that the whole Top Gear segment had more than a little to do with the Paramount Group in South Africa, purveyors of innovative armoured vehicles. So, as suspected, we were treated to Richard conquering the Urban Jungle of Johannesburg in the Paramount Marauder, an aptly-named, go anywhere, seemingly indestructible piece of military hardware made street-legal.

Land Rover DC100 concept

Land Rover's new DC100 concept vehicle is due to make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, with the manufacturer also confirming that a new Defender is anticipated for 2015. The DC100 concept will be building upon the existing characteristics of the car and it is hoped that the concept will act as a catalyst for debate concerning the future of Defender models. The design team is headed by Gerry McGovern, Land Rover's director of design, who says, "This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century." John Edwards, global brand director at Land Rover, explains that the manufacturer wants to engage with existing customers to finalise the details of the new vehicle as part of their plans to direct the future of the Defender.