Auto Meter 1727 Old Tyme Black; Oil Pressure Gauge on 2040-parts.com

Monterey auction kicks off with woodies sale

The Sports and Classics of Monterey auction is in full swing, and a collection of classic woodies netted $7 million Thursday. The Nick Alexander Woodie Collection featured 51 pristine pre- and postwar Ford and Mercury wood-bodied station wagons. The event was staged by RM Auctions in advance of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Saab gets a ray of hope from China

Victor Muller sees a glimpse of sunshine from China The saga that is the long and painful demise of Saab seemed to reach its nadir last week when courts in Sweden refused to offer the beleaguered car maker sanctuary in its protection. We thought that would be the end for Saab – despite a never-say-die appeal of the decision by Victor Muller, due to be heard tomorrow – with nowhere left to hide from trade supplier debts of €150 million, and the wrath of Sweden’s unions ready to file for Saab’s bankruptcy over unpaid wages for Saab employees. The nadir for Saab should reasonably be followed by its rapid consignment to the annuls of motoring history, but a tiny glimmer of hope has risen from Saab’s putative investors in China.

Mini previews John Cooper Works concept before Detroit auto show

A new Mini John Cooper Works concept will bow at the Detroit auto show in January. It gets exclusive gray paintwork, red accents, new aerodynamics and new 18-inch JCW light alloy wheels. Mini says the concept has a longer wheelbase and wider track than the outgoing model, which is hardly surprising -- the Mini gets less Mini every year.