Honda S 65 Rear Axle, Spacer & Nut on 2040-parts.com

Flying car gets regulatory clearance

The Jetsons' futuristic vision of a flying car is one step closer to becoming a reality. Terrafugia, a Massachusetts company developing a "roadable aircraft" named the Transition, just received special exemptions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that will help it move the vehicle move forward to production. NHTSA will allow the Transition to be outfitted with plastic windows rather than standard automotive safety glass.

Honda Gear Concept

Rather than fighting for headlines at NAIAS, Honda debuted its new GEAR Concept at the Montreal International Auto Show. The subcompact GEAR is apparently inspired by fixed-gear bicycles (although quite how is unclear), described as a customizable vehicle that demonstrates the carmaker's way of providing vehicles for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles. "Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring or they're fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer," said Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

GM stokes El Camino gossip . . . again

Let the rumors of a new U.S.-market El Camino begin to swirl once again. It was Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, who opened the floodgates, commenting to www.drive.com.au, an Australian car site. “I've lived in Australia, and I've seen where fuel prices are $5 a gallon,” Reuss said.