Suzuki Samurai Transfer Case Shifter Knob (rubber) on 2040-parts.com

£495k list price for David Brown Automotive Speedback GT

David Brown Automotive has announced its Speedback GT will cost £495,000 plus local taxes – meaning it’ll set UK buyers back a whopping £594,000. Unveiled at the Top Marques show in Monaco, the Speedback is based on the £78,965 Jaguar XKR and powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre engine. On Bing: see pictures of the David Brown Automotive Speedback David Brown Automotive Speedback revealed David Brown has no connection with Aston Martin, despite sharing his name with the previous managing director who gave his initials to many of the model names, and the classic DB5 that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Speedback.

SEMA adds four to hall of fame

The Specialty Equipment Market Association is adding four names to its hall of fame: Gray Baskerville, Art Chrisman, Chris Economaki and John Towle. The SEMA Hall of Fame recognizes those who have especially helped foster the growth of the special-equipment automotive industry. -- Baskerville was senior editor of Hot Rod magazine for 30 years, though his writing is what really secured his ticket to the hall.

Jaguar XF-R unveiled at Detroit auto show 2009

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 10 January 2009 22:52 Jaguar's XFR is shown today at the Detroit auto show 2009 – and the XFR at a stroke becomes the fastest saloon the Midlands manufacturer has ever made for the roads. Jag has taken the XF saloon and fettled it with the new direct-injection 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that supersedes the familiar 4.2, but breathed upon by a new supercharger to crank out a wholesome 503bhp.The R model is extremely rapid, thanks to a classic Ayers Rock torque curve that peaks at 461lb ft from just 2000rpm and doesn't go away until 5000rpm. There's brawn wherever you need it, and the XFR scuttles to 60mph in a scant 4.7sec.