Cord is one of those iconic automobile brands that seems to come from a mythical era of the past; they don’t quite seem of the world we know today. The legendary Cord 810 gave us pop-up headlights, was a FWD pioneer, and is considered one of the most beautiful cars ever. Now you can own the name!Yes, Leake Auctions is putting the Cord trademark up for bid — actually even more than just the name: Leake Auction Company is proud to announce a rare opportunity to purchase and own one of the most revered names in the world of American classic automobiles, the trademark, licensing and manufacturing rights to the CORD Automobile.
2015 Mustang starts production at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant; car to be exported globally for the first time in its 50-year history New Mustang goes on sale this fall in the United States, and in more than 120 countries next year Mustang sets new performance and dynamics benchmarks for the brand with world-class handling, more precise steering control and enhanced ride comfort.
FLAT ROCK, Mich. — Ford began production of the all-new 2015 Mustang on Thursday at its assembly plant here. The first 2015 Mustang off the assembly line was a red GT coupe that has been sold to Texas dealer Sam Pack for $300,000. He is donating the …
I did drive the Renault sport in Italy last year and I’d have to say it was a blast!
100% Fun to Drive
SEAT Leon Cupra 265
The value option of the VW group’s bulging array of hot hatches. A point rammed home by the option of a 276bhp version (until recently a Nürburging record holder), which, at £27,210, could technically slot into fourth in this list. £25,690, 261bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the SEAT Leon Cupra
Renaultsport Megane 265
If a comfortable ride and the option of a paddleshift gearbox aren’t important to you, this is the hot hatch of choice. Aggressive front differential makes it exciting enough for you to wonder why you’d want rear-wheel drive. And the new Trophy-R version nicked the Leon’s Nordschleife bragging rights. £26,930, 261bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the Renaultsport Megane 265
Nissan 370Z
A proper, six-cylinder, rear-drive sports car for £85 more than a tarted up Renault Megane looks like the bargain of the century. And indeed, the Zed is a fun old thing. But the key word is probably ‘old’… £27,015, 326bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the Nissan 370Z
Vauxhall Astra VXR
Like the Megane 265, a mechanical diff on the front axle endows the go-faster Astra with some properly engaging dynamics, though this is a blunter instrument than its French rival. Approaching 300bhp through the front wheels ensures torque steer aplenty. £27,270, 276bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the Vauxhall Astra VXR
Subaru WRX STI
It’s a particularly old school way to get hold of a shed-load of power for not a lot of money, but there’s plenty to like here: stocky manual gearbox, rally kudos, simply enormous rear spoiler. Its heinous thirst betrays its £-per-bhp honours somewhat. £28,995, 296bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the Subaru WRX STI
VW Golf R
The finest all-round hot hatch on sale also offers a very healthy amount of power and premium loveliness for its sub-£30k price tag. Hugely fun four-wheel-drive system results in a better modern-day take on the rally-rep Impreza than Subaru’s own WRX STI. £29,900, 296bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the VW Golf R
Audi S3
Same engine as the Golf R, but Audi will take an extra £745 off you for demanding your German hot hatch has four rings on its front grille. Not quite as fun to drive as its VW relative, but it’s still the best S3 yet. £30,645, 296bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the Audi S3
BMW M135i
The S3’s closest rival, and a car which delivers an extra 20bhp, priced at an entirely reasonable £10 each. The Beemer is also more entertaining, owing to its rear-wheel-drive chassis and sonorous six-cylinder engine. £30,845, 316bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the BMW M135i
Volvo V40 T5
The least fun car in our top ten, the Volvo V40 is undoubtedly rather sensible in this company. But it’s a very pleasant thing, nonetheless. Its characterful five-cylinder engine is nearly ruined by a dim-witted automatic gearbox, though. £31,900, 254bhp
Read Top Gear’s verdict on the Volvo V40
Peugeot RCZ R
Further proof of Peugeot’s return to form. The RCZ R is not only ludicrously powerful for a car with a 1.6-litre engine, it will also oversteer like a exuberantly driven 205 GTI if you want it to. Who needs a TT? £31,995, 266bhp
With most disputes over the ownership of the former Packard plant on East Grand Boulevard in Detroit resolved, the new owner of the plant told the Detroit Free Press this week that he intends to begin cleanup soon and eventually restore some of the plant with the help of Albert Kahn Associates, the firm named for the man who designed the plant in 1903.Though Peruvian developer Fernando Palazuelo paid $405,000 for the 40-acre factory complex – vacated by Packard in 1956 – at a Wayne County foreclosure auction in December, he’s since had to clear a few hurdles to begin work on the deteriorating and vandalized buildings.First, in March, the former owner of the plant, Dominic Cristini – whose failure to pay about $1 million in back taxes led to the foreclosure of the factory – stepped forward to claim that he and a number of investors who backed him still held an interest in the factory worth $3.5 million. Though Palazuelo then described the claim as “typical blackmail,” he told the Free Press that he reached a deal with Cristini last month, and that he probably didn’t have the clear title to the plant that he previously thought he had.Then, earlier this summer, a number of Detroit news sources reported that Palazuelo owed the county more than $92,000 in delinquent taxes. At the time Palazuelo said that he believed his lawyers had taken care of the back taxes, but the Detroit Free Press noted that he only paid the county those back taxes after he resolved the dispute with Cristini.That leaves just one last hurdle, a dispute over a 4.5-acre parcel within the Packard plant complex that includes half of the much-photographed pedestrian bridge crossing East Grand Boulevard and that was not included in the county foreclosure auction. Palazuelo is reportedly working with the city to resolve that claim.
