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

McLaren F1 sells for $8.47 million at Gooding & Co’s Pebble Beach Auction

McLaren F1 chassis #66 (pictured) has sold for $8.47 million There’s been an inexorable rise in the price of classic cars in recent years as rich men realise that certain classic cars not only have huge appeal, but appear to be going only one way in price. Add to that – certainly in the UK – that any profits made on the sale of a classic car you’ve bought for your own enjoyment are tax free, and it’s no shock that values keep rising, and the rarer the car the more they rise. So with only 64 road cars made, the McLaren F1 can be considered a sound investment, with values rising since it first sold in the 1990s for around £640,000 to a new world record auction price set last night of £8.47 million (around £5.42m).

Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ to launch next month

Toyota FT-86 (pictured) & Subaru BRZ to debut at Tokyo The road from concept to reality has been a long one for the Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ. But the wait is almost over for the Toyota/Subaru joint development, with production-ready versions of the FT-86 and BRZ planned for the Tokyo Motor Show next month. The aim was to produce a sporty, fun coupe for under £20k, and although that still seems to be the general consensus we wouldn’t be surprised to see the FT-86 come in at around £25k and the more powerful BRZ getting close to £30k when they actually arrive in 2012.

Volkswagen to reveal new electric car concept

Volkswagen is due to reveal a one-seat electric car concept in early September as the manufacturer explores its greener future. Part of the on-going project to cut its average fleet emissions  Volkswagen has designed the concept vehicle for limited journeys, with the vehicle due to be unveiled on September 8 in Berlin. There's no word yet as to whether it will appear at the Frankfurt motor show just a few days later, but we'd be surprised not to see it there.