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Screaming Fords at Kirkland Concours d'Elegance

Compared with its high-tech-center neighbors--Bellevue and Redmond--the town of Kirkland, Wash., is relatively unknown. But Kirkland is where the vibrant car-collector scene in the area is shown at its best each fall at the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance. And while you may not have heard of Kirkland, you've probably heard of its famous Pacific Northwest weather--not the best, you'd think, for outdoor car shows.

Opel/Vauxhall Cascada [w/gallery]

The Opel/Vauxhall Cascada effectively replaces the Astra Twin Top, but attempts to move the model upmarket as a separate product line. It has moved up a size to reflect its prestige aspirations: at 4,697 mm long and 1,840 mm wide, it's longer than an Audi A5. Like many of the latest generation of convertibles, the Cascada ditches a folding solid hardtop in favor of a lighter, more space-efficient and cheaper soft fabric set-up.

Smithsonian lets you vote on cars for exhibit

For the next few weeks, you can have a say in which vehicles from the Smithsonian car collection go on display this winter in Washington, D.C. For what is said to be the first time ever, the public can vote for one of eight featured vehicles, with the top two vote-getters going on display at the National Museum of American History from Jan. 22 through Feb.