Suzuki Lapin 2002 Front Right Door Assembly [0613100] on 2040-parts.com

Vintage photos show Ford Mustang I and the elusive XD Cobra

It's hardly surprising that our readers want to share their memories of the Ford Mustang -- 50 years is a long time for an automotive nameplate to endure, and the model's upcoming 50th anniversary is as good excuse as any to look back on the experiences that have made the car an enthusiast hit. Take William Drew, who had a close encounter with pony car history when he saw the Mustang I concept, plus a rare Ghia-bodied Shelby Cobra concept, at an auto dealer in Dallas in 1970. His slides (taken with a Yashica camera, he notes) show the unusual cars in the nice, bright colors of Kodachrome.

Alfa Romeo will reportedly become standalone company

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne plans to turn Alfa Romeo into a standalone company, Automotive News Europe reports. Marchionne is expected to announce wide-ranging plans for the brand on May 6 which will see Alfa Romeo become a stand-alone legal entity within Fiat-Chrysler, with a publicly disclosed profit and loss statement. Alfa Romeo is currently part of Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A., which also contains Lancia, Fiat Professional trucks and vans and the Abarth performance brand.

2012 Lada Granta could see Lada return to the UK

2012 Lada Granta could see Lada back in the UK Lada reveals their new car – the Lada Granta, based on the Kalina hatchback – which could see Lada return to the UK. For those old enough to remember, Lada was once renowned as the maker of skips on wheels, in such illustrious company as Skoda, Yugo and Moskvitch. Yugo has bitten the dust, as has Moskvich, and Skoda has re-invented itself under VW as a credible player.