Outerwears 30 1018 01 Scrub Bag Black on 2040-parts.com

The other side of the curtain: A look back at Lada, Volga and more

While Americans in the 1960s and '70s were enjoying the heyday of muscle-car madness, our friends over in the Soviet Union were treated to an entirely different kind of automobile. Fiat-based Ladas and Russian-born Volgas were the cars of the day, and our friends at Retronaut have gathered some press materials and advertisements for the compact sedans. Lada was named after a famous Czech manufacturer of sewing machines in the 1960s.

Ford Focus 1.0 litre Ecoboost arrives

The 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine arrives in the 2012 Ford Focus Ford has announced that the new Focus is now available with the 1.0 litre Ecoboost 3-cylinder engine in 100 PS and 125 PS options. Back in September, Ford revealed that it planned to install its new pocket-sized engine – the new 3-cylinder 1.0 litre Ecoboost – in to the new Ford Focus, giving the Focus the power of a naturally aspirated 1.6 litre petrol, but with improved economy and lower emissions. And now it’s arrived.

Dune buggies on Father's Day horizon

IF YOUR dad's commute happens to cross pesky sand dunes that always leave his old Volkswagen stranded, fear not – he can turn the car into a dune buggy! Veloce Publishing has re-released the 'essential manual' for anyone wishing to turn a fatally corroded old Volkswagen (a classic Beetle is standard form) into a shiny new multi-purpose dune buggy that will laugh in the face of sandy stretches. According to the publishers, 'Building a Dune Buggy – The Essential Manual' is “the complete step by step practical guide to the equipment and building techniques needed to build a Buggy, as well as sound guidance on the choice of donor car and new components.