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

Maybach reaches end of the line

Daimler AG is set to announce the closure of its Maybach ultra luxury brand this weekend, according to reports. The underperforming 57 and 62 limousines are to be killed off in 2013, following a decision from chairman Dieter Zetsche who has elected not to invest in their respective replacements for 2014. Following a concept car preview at the 1997 Tokyo motor show, Maybach was resurrected in 2002 after Daimler AG failed to purchase either Rolls-Royce or Bentley from then owners, Vickers.

Treasures from West Germany lurk at Sonoma Raceway

In my role of Chief Justice of the 24 Hours of LeMons Supreme Court, I travel to Sonoma Raceway, aka Sears Point, at least twice per year. Most of the time I'm there, I'm stuck disciplining miscreant racers with incomprehensible penalties, but every so often I slip away in my Race Organizer Review car to shoot some action photos of the competitors. A good area for shooting LeMons cars is from the access road that runs parallel to the track between turn 10 and turn 11, and getting there takes me past an area of shops and garages… and I always spot some interesting cars parked there.

GM, Chrysler get cold shoulder from consumers, report says

General Motors and Chrysler clearly have an image problem. In a classic case of: "It's not me--it's you," fewer consumers are considering the two Detroit automakers in the wake of their pleas for government assistance and bankruptcy rumors. The share of buyers who would make a GM car their primary choice fell 12 percent, and the share of Chrysler intenders dropped by one third, according to a study released Thursday by CNW Research of Bandon, Ore.