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

The no-show cars: a reader rant on mad concepts

Instigated by Harley Earl at General Motors in the late 30s with the quaintly named Buick Y-Job, show cars, or concept cars, were presented to an excited public eager for new things. As the world recovered from a depression and then a war, these vehicles pointed to a better future that many people believed in, including the people who produced them. And, although many of the concept cars of the 50s, with their Jetsons plexiglass roofs and notional nuclear powered engines seem ludicrous now, in their time they weren’t that cynical.

Super modified saloons at SEMA 2013: in pictures

SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association, and every year it holds a big event in Las Vegas to showcase the very best in weird and wonderful modified car creations. But unlike certain other modified car shows we could mention, the emphasis is very much on premium quality and good taste. Let us guide you through some of the very best super saloons on show at the 2013 SEMA Car Show.

Alfa Romeo Mito GTA (2009): first official picture

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 23 February 2009 09:19 Alfa Romeo has managed to squeeze a remarkable 240bhp from 1742cc in its new Mito GTA concept car. It's the hot hatch version of the Mito supermini and will form the centrepiece of the Alfa stand at next week's 2009 Geneva motor show.This is the first GTA since the musclebound 147. GTA stands for gran turismo alleggerito  – and this pocket rocket version of the Mito has indeed been lightened and toughened up to give it some serious performance.