Minn Kota 1810150 Deckhand Electric Anchor Winch on 2040-parts.com

Concept Car of the Week: Pontiac Banshee (1964)

In 1964, the Pontiac Motor Division was headed John DeLorean, who would go on to become one of the automotive industry's most divisive figures. He believed that Pontiac needed a compact, exciting car to compete with the newly launched Mustang and approved funding for the experimental Pontiac two-seat sports-car program, codenamed XP-833. Inspired by another GM show car, the rear-engined Corvair Monza GT from 1963, the lines of the XP-833 were a perfect example of the Coke-bottle bodystyle: long hood, short deck and sweeping fender curves.

Tata is leading JLR bidder

By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 03 January 2008 13:16 Ford looks set to sell Jaguar/Land Rover (JLR) to Tata. In a statement to JLR workers today, Ford of Europe chairman Lewis Booth said: ‘Ford is committed to focused negotiations at a more detailed level with Tata Motors concerning the potential sale of the combined Jaguar Land Rover business.’ This is the first time that Ford has publicly revealed the identity of any bidder for JLR.   JLR has been up for sale since June 2007, and other potential bidders include rival Indian vehicle maker Mahindra Group and private finance group One Equity fronted by former Ford CEO Jac Nasser. Tata itself already owns a few famous names, including Tetley Tea and Corus (formerly British Steel).

McLaren MP4-12C gets the axe

Production of the McLaren 12C is dead. That's according to a letter sent by CEO Mike Flewitt to owners that read in part, “The final piece of news I wanted to share with you is regarding 12C production, which we have decided to cease in light of the success of 650S. The new car has been so well received since its unveiling at the Geneva motor show (we already have a six-month order bank), we will focus all our capacity at the McLaren Production Centre on 650S.” This represents a turnaround for the company that just a few days ago said the 650S would slot between the 12C and P1 in the lineup, and that both would continue.