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

Watch the sad, final moments of a crusher-bound heap

Automotive wrecking yards are good places to reflect on the real-world values of heavily depreciated vehicles versus global current scrap-metal prices, and to see which cars have suddenly had the fix-it-versus-total-it line moved by insurance companies (the early-21st-century Subaru Legacy Outback, for example, appeared in large numbers in high-turnover wrecking yards just during the last year, as fairly minor collision damage on these cars is no longer worth fixing). You'll see the things that a car's last owner does in a desperate attempt to sell (or at least live with) an increasingly decrepit heap (as we learned in "Repo Man," you really will find a Little Tree in every car). During a recent trip to a San Jose, Calif., yard, I encountered this sad yet strangely compelling scene.

Opel Adam going rallying

Opel is adding a bit of rally credibility to the new Adam by taking it rallying with an Adam R2 rally car for a one-make cup. But perhaps GM Europe are hoping to inject a bit of performance credibility in to the uninspiring mechanical offerings the Adam currently offers with the revelation that they’re making a rally Adam prepared to basic R2 spec, which means a tweak or three from the standard production car. That means upgrades to the engine, suspension, brakes and gearbox to produce an Adam rally car that’s an affordable entry point for young drivers and Opel are aiming to compete in the ADAC Opel Rally cup with the Adam R2.

Testa Rossas, Lemons, Laguna Seca and design inspiration – Monterey Car Week 2014

As a first timer to this annual festival it’s easy to think of it purely as Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. However, in reality the blue-chip show on the famous golf course is simply the climax of a whole week of formal events, impromptu gatherings and an overall sense of overwhelming from the sheer quantity and quality of the cars, all packed onto this upmarket West Coast peninsular.It's this variety that means this event really is what you make of it. Want to live it up like a billionaire and feel the buzz of $400million worth of cars pass under the auctioneers’ hammers, followed by some lobster and champagne in the golf club?