Cobalt 2008 Antenna 478096 on 2040-parts.com

Approved mechanics essential for quality service

DRIVERS need to make sure their car is being properly serviced by a qualified mechanic, says the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). To help drives do this, it has launched a government-backed scheme called the Professional Register. While there are around 175,000 people in the UK who call themselves automotive technicians, the IMI says it can only recommend around 27,000 as having the required skills and competence to carry out work to the required standard in their specialism.

Meadow Brook concours crowns 1939 Delahaye and 1934 Packard best of show

Two long-gone luxury liners, a 1939 Delahaye and a 1934 Packard, won best-of-show honors Sunday at the 30th Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, standing out in a field of 250 pristine cars from bygone eras on a sun-drenched afternoon of nostalgia in suburban Detroit. The Delahaye 165 Cabriolet by Figoni & Falaschi won in the European category, while the Packard V-12 Sport Sedan by Dietrich, a ghost of Detroit's luxury car-making past, returned to grab top honors among the American products. The Delahaye, a drop-dead gorgeous maroon showpiece dripping in chrome and set off with yellow headlights, also won the People's Choice award.

Ferrari F70 Tub & FF Roof: Paris 2012

With no new cars at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari highlights are the carbon fibre tub for the F70 & panoramic roof for the Ferrari FF. As you would expect, the underpinnings for the new F70 aren’t going to be made from recycled RSJs, but will be crafted from state of the art carbon fibre. Ferrari are proclaiming the tub and chassis of the F70 is directly derived – and developed in conjunction with – Ferrari Scuderia F1 nous and expertise.