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

'Project paradise' up for grabs

IT COULD be project paradise for keen car owners this month, when a series of fabulous cars in need of restoration go under the hammer. The Anglia Car Auctions Classic event will take in project cars from across the decades, with one amazing lot more than 100 years old. There are sought-after Alfa Romeos, including a 1978 Alfasud that was raced by former British Touring Car champion Steve Soper and a 1988 Spider, the latter of which has an estimate of just £500.

European new car sales in record LOW

European new car registrations have plunged to their LOWEST level on record after slow August sales reversed an upturn in July. Registrations of 7,841,596 new cars between January-August 2013 marked a new low for the European new car market of 27 countries – so few cars have never previously been recorded since records began in 1990. 2013 UK new car sales forecast revised upwards European new car sales continue to struggle The UK new car market is the sole exception: so far this year, new car registrations have risen 10.4%, compared to the European decline of 5.2% in the same time period.

UP Design Vittoria concept

Former I.DE.A styling manger, Umberto Palermo, unveiled his Victoria concept at the 2012 Qatar motor show. Responsible for both the institute's ERA and Sofia concepts, Palermo has now set up his own design consultancy, UP Design. The Vittoria concept has classical front-engined, rear-wheel drive proportions with a long hood and cab rearward layout.