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

One Lap of the Web: Antarctic hot rods, Nissan BE-1 for sale and parting with a beloved Wagoneer

-- Here's yet another gem we first saw over at Hemmings: The first, and (so far as we know) only Antarctic hot rod ever built. It might be from 1968-'71; not much else is known, except that it was probably constructed by Navy SeaBees operating out of McMurdo Station. From the one photo we have, it looks like it could have a Jeep flathead four up front.

2014 Jaguar XK Signature and Dynamic R specification revealed

The 2014 Jaguar XK Dynamic R (left) and XK Signature The Jaguar XK – in naturally aspirated guise or as an XKR – is getting a bit long in the tooth, so Jaguar have launched two special editions – the XK Signature and Dynamic  R specification – to try and put a bit of fizz in to sales. Jaguar are proclaiming the XK Signature and Dynamic  R specification as special editions, but at substantial discounts to the current models – and with increased specification – it looks like these two new models are going to be the Jaguar XK range for 2014 (plus the Jaguar XKR-S). The Jaguar XK Dynamic R gets the same 503bhp 5.0 litre supercharged engine as the XKR but gets both the Black Dynamic Pack and Speed Pack as standard as well as a sports exhaust, Performance Seats with diamond stitching and 20” Vortex diamond turned wheels.

2011 VW Jetta gets launched

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen reckons that this latest Jetta is no longer a Golf with a boot to make a saloon but is instead a completely new stand-alone model, even though under its new skin – inspired by the VW NCC (New Compact Coupe) concept at New York this year – it sits on a stretched (by 70mm) Golf platform. To make the Jetta stand apart from its Golf sibling VW has fitted the Jetta with an all new dashboard with aluminium highlights and a leather trimmed steering wheel. All Jettas will come equipped with AirCon and CD stereo with touchscreen SatNav an option.