Engine Water Pump Gasket Fel-pro 10738 on 2040-parts.com

BMW works hard to avoid gas-guzzler tax

BMW AG hopes to get out from under the gas-guzzler taxes that are tacked on to the sticker prices of some of its high-performance models in the United States. Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, says the company is studying fuel-efficiency improvements that could eliminate the gas-guzzler taxes on its vehicles as early as the launch of their redesigns in the next few years. The 2010 550i GT incurs a $1,000 gas-guzzler fee, for example.

Antique Automobile Club of America displays car collecting and its finest in Hershey

Searching for vintage car parts, literature, gas station collectables, or even a nice old car? The best place to look is the annual Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Fall National Meet, better known as “Hershey.” Now in its 55th year, it's the world's largest old car gathering, with an 1,800-car concours, more than 1,000 cars for sale in the “car corral,” and, best of all, an astounding 9,000 flea market spaces, chock full of more automotive artifacts than you can imagine, all scattered in no particular order on 85-plus acres--that's nearly 90 football fields--or “22 miles of aisles,” as Hershey devotees say. It takes a lot of walking, but walk we did for four days, for a close-up of this fascinating offshoot of the old-car hobby.

Subaru XV gets world’s first self-cleaning function (+ video)

Subaru UK has revealed that the Subaru XV Crossover can now be specified with the world’s first self-cleaning function for a car. It’s a decent effort from Subaru, with added credibility as a compact urban warrior coming from Subaru’s 4WD prowess, a choice of a couple of petrol engines and a couple of diesels, manual or auto options and prices from £21k to £30k. But in a crowded market place it’s good to have a USP, so Subaru has pushed the boat out and is offering a world first for the Subaru XV – a self-cleaning function.