Mercury Mercruiser Crank Shaft Connecting Rod 81644 on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes Viano Vision Diamond – the Maybach of vans

Mercedes Viano Vision Diamond Mercedes-Benz has revealed the Viano Vision Diamond at Beijing, a utilitarian Mercedes van with the interior of a Maybach. The Maybach brand didn’t do Mercedes any favours, with German glitterballs proving no match for British (oh, alright, German-ish) understated elegance in the Rolls Royce Phantom. Maybach has now been re-consigned to the dustbin of history and likely only ever to be seen as a badge to denote the glitziest model in the next S Class range.

Ford boss Alan Mulally on how he saved Ford

Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally today told British business leaders how he saved Ford from the worst recession for a generation. He also outlined how the Ford range will shrink from 97 models sold globally to just 20. Mulally gave the keynote speech to the Confederation of British Industry in London, where business bigwigs heard how Ford became the only Detroit car maker not to collapse into bankruptcy.

Concept Car of the Week: Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (1952)

In 1951, straight after winning the F1 championship, Alfa Romeo surprisingly retired from racing. The tough post-war financial situation led the Italian brand to focus its investments towards more profitable projects such as the 1900 Berlina. The competition department stayed open on the condition of delivering a brand-boosting racecar for participation in the 1952 Le Mans and Mille Miglia races.