Mercedes Benz W115 200d Trunk Lid Emblem Designation on 2040-parts.com

Mecum achieves record-setting auction in Dallas with 1967 Corvette L88 convertible

Mecum is no stranger to hosting million-dollar auctions all over the United States. Their most recent event in Dallas put collector Buddy Herin's 1967 Corvette L88 Convertible in the spotlight, making it one of the most successful auctions in Mecum history. Being just one of 20 produced during that year, this rare breed made history for its $3.2 million price tag, the highest price ever achieved for a Corvette at any auction.

Nissan launches UK Clay Modeling Apprentice Program

Nissan has launched a Clay Modeling Apprentice Program in the UK, designed to recruit skilled clay modelers to boost the UK's position in global vehicle design. Business Secretary Vince Cable and Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer were present at the launch – held at Nissan's London-based European Design Center – of a scheme that aims to address the national shortage of clay modelers. Palmer explains, "Clay modeling is an integral part of the design process and vital in helping the design team visualize ideas.

Ram introduces CNG-powered pickup

Aside from the Honda Civic Natural Gas, compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles have usually been converted after the fact, generally for fleet use. Chrysler is hoping to carve out a niche in the corporate-pickup segment by selling a factory-built CNG Ram 2500 that can seamlessly switch over to gasoline operation when the natural-gas tanks run dry. The twin 4.6-cubic-foot CNG tanks (which store the equivalent of 18.2 gallons of gas) take up a section of the bed, while an eight-gallon gasoline tank provides fuel during start-up and then reserve capacity when the compressed tanks are tapped out, allowing the bruiser a measure of operational flexibility.