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

RM Auctions' Icons sale brings good return on customs

Hot-rod and custom-car enthusiasts came from across the country for RM Auctions' Icons of Speed and Style sale in Los Angeles on Saturday, which offered the entire collection of the Flying A Garage. Collector Ralph Whitworth had big plans to open a car museum in his native Winnemucca, Nev., and had assembled one of the greatest rod, custom and racing-car collections ever to make it happen. He housed it in a new, climate-controlled building in Winnemucca called the Flying A Garage and had plans to open a museum to draw interest to his hometown.

Kickboxer wraps Ferrari 458 in GOLD

How do you make a statement if you’re a kickboxing world champion who wants his £200,000 Ferrari 458 Spider to stand out from every other supercar in London? Well, how about wrapping it in gold? This gold Ferrari 458 Spider belongs to kickboxing world champion Riyadh al-Azzawi, who has wrapped his car to match his medal collection.

Future products: Kia seeks lively, upscale look

Kia's redesigned Optima sedan and the Cadenza replacement for the Amanti, both due next year, reflect an emphasis on creating a livelier and more upscale look for the once-bland brand. Indeed, styling has been a crucial element of Kia's new-product push in the past 18 months. The team at Kia Design Center America near Los Angeles--part of the automaker's global design network led by onetime Audi design chief Peter Schreyer--has helped set the new styling direction.