New Stabilus Trunk Shock, 208 750 03 36 on 2040-parts.com

Ford improves top design on its 2015 Mustang convertible

Ford revealed details on its forthcoming 2015 Mustang convertible, whose top features several highly welcome improvements over the outgoing model’s, making it quieter, more compact and easier to operate. Though Ford continues to call the cloth top a two-layer design, it now sports a 10-mm thick cushion between the twill covering and the headliner layer, serving as both insulation and sound deadening. Ford says with the top up, the cabin is almost as quiet as the coupe’s on the road.

Some secured lenders object to quick sale of Chrysler

A minority group of Chrysler LLC secured lenders has objected in bankruptcy court to the quick sale of Chrysler to a new corporate entity led by Fiat S.p.A. The group of about 40 banks and hedge funds holds about $3 billion of the $6.9 billion in secured loans that Chrysler has with the banks. Four major New York banks holding $4 billion of that debt agreed last week to settle for $2 billion in payment for the $6.9 billion owed.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage roadster to start at $233,340

Aston Martin dropped the details of its UK-onlyV12 Vantage roadster on Tuesday, and the news is good. The new convertible will boast 509 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque from Aston's signature 6.0-liter engine. The roadster shares many of the technical features and specifications from the hardtop version, though some elements had to be changed to accommodate the folding soft top.