The Good Oil: Tyson loses on TKO

Boxer Mike Tyson went shopping for an Aston Martin in London's posh Park Lane the other day. But the car he wanted to take home, the hugely powerful V8 Vantage, did not conform to United States emission standards, said the salesman. Awfully sorry - what rotten luck. Tyson took the rejection on the chin but the British press turned it into a punching-bag. Said the Guardian of Tyson and the dilemma facing Aston's salespeople: "What do you do when someone with a wallet bursting with cash, a love of British sports cars, a rape conviction and a record of violent crime walks in and says he wants to buy one of your cars? Do you sell him the car and have your distinguished marque associated with the 'World's Baddest Man', or do you preserve the firm's good name and say to him: "Sorry, but has he thought about a Jaguar?" Aston Martin spokeswoman Barbara Prince diplomatically told the Guardian: "Were Mike Tyson to buy an Aston Martin we wouldn't think, 'Oh, great,' but neither would we be throwing our head in our hands at the prospect."

Wings of praise

The 300 SL "Gullwing" Mercedes-Benz was launched to a fascinated world audience in 1953, nearly 50 years ago. Its two doors were hinged to the roof, making it a visual spectacle. It is still a ground-breaking design, even by today's standards. Visitors to the classic car show at Ellerslie racecourse on Sunday will find a Gullwing among the entries from more than 70 car clubs. Organisers say the show will be the biggest display of classic cars ever in New Zealand. The Gullwing belongs to the Southward Museum, north of Wellington.

Writer's revenge

One night last year horror writer Stephen King was out walking near his home when he was hit by a van. King ended up in hospital with broken bones and the driver ended up in court with a broken wallet. King is up and about now - and back to his bizarre best. He bought the offending van for $3000 - so he could take to it with a sledgehammer.

Two in top 10

Though Porsche is the most admired company in Germany it didn't make the 10 most respected companies in the world. A global survey put DaimlerChrysler fifth behind General Electric, Microsoft, Coca-Cola and IBM. The only other carmaker in the 10 was Toyota. And while we are on heavyweight companies, Ford's role as a sponsor of beaten America's Cup hopeful AmericaOne came from its tool and die operation in Detroit, where the yacht's 900kg keel was made.

Wheel of fortune

The traffic's heavy and you're late for work. You're tense, your blood pressure is up, your palms are sweating and you're swearing at the car in front. Suddenly the radio says, "Hey, don't sweat it man, be cool." It starts to play soft music and the air-conditioning directs a stream of cool air at the driver. Far-fetched? No way, because computer company IBM has developed a steering wheel that detects anger in a driver. Sensors on the wheel monitor the heart rate and measure the amount of sweat on the hands. When the computer decides you are becoming a danger to yourself, it switches on the music and cool air.

Cartman rallies

South Park's Cartman gets to race his police tricycle against his cartoon colleagues in a new computerised rally game. Cartman takes on all-comers, including Grampa in his jet-powered wheelchair and Starvin' Marvin in his motorised wheat sack. The action takes place on seven tracks, including Big Al's Animal Sanctuary.

We are the world

* A sign outside a church in Germany: "Use my name in vain and I will make rush-hour longer - God." Wonder what He has in mind for Auckland.