Toyota to release ‘back to basics’ GT 86 for JDM tuners

Toyota is releasing a back-to-basics version of its GT 86 in April, specifically for the Japanese aftermarket tuning scene. The RC version is intended to be a blank canvas for customers to modify and customize according to their preferences. So wing mirrors, door handles and front and rear bumpers are unpainted, and front foglamps, tailgate lamp, intake manifold cover, stereo and speakers are all removed.

Porsche chief Wendelin Wiedeking resigns

Porsche chairman Wendelin Wiedeking has bowed to mounting pressure in announcing that he will step down immediately. The resignation came Thursday, following a surprise meeting of the company's supervisory board at its Weissach R&D headquarters outside of Stuttgart, Germany, on Wednesday night. Wiedeking's announcement comes after months of tense and public infighting following Porsche's failed attempt to wrest control of Volkswagen, which left it with $12.7 billion in debt, and slowing sales in key markets such as North America.

Cannonball Run seminar at Amelia Island was one for the ages

I don't think I've been to a bad car show, and that includes the local Kamaro Klub in the Dairy Queen parking lot. But I tend to judge the shows by the afterglow--how much you remember a day or two after the event. I tend to remember a lot after every Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and that is mostly because the founder, Bill Warner, uses his annual North Florida show to do exactly what you and I would do if we ran a big show--invite our heroes to come talk and invite the cars we'd like to look at ourselves.