It has been more than 70 years since the first Jeep rolled off the assembly line. The legendary off-roader was instrumental to the Allied victory in World War II and became such a big hit with servicemen that the CJ was built for civilians after the war. More than 65 years after the first commercial CJ hit the streets, the Jeep name is still going strong. But how much different is the 1945 CJ than the current Wrangler? Motor Trend magazine looked into the transformation of the Jeep and turned its findings into a video. The latest Wrangler may be 600mm longer, nearly twice as heavy and feature almost five times more power than the original CJ, but the functionality that makes the Jeep a big hit with off-road enthusiast is intact.
Hard-edged 911 set to raise the roof
Convertibles fall into two categories: folding soft tops and retractable hard tops. But a website says Porsche will blur the lines with the next-generation 911.
GermanCarForum.com got hold of a patent drawing showing metal panels at the front and rear with two sections of canvas in between. Engineers say the leading metal edge may help reduce cabin noise. The new 911 coupe will be unveiled this month - the convertible isn't expected until next year.
Town builds test-drive playground
Car dealers and authorities in Naperville, near Chicago, have created a driving course that will reduce the number of test drives on public streets and give buyers a better sense of the vehicle they are looking at. It features a variety of road types, a small parking area and even a sprinkler system to allow for wet-weather evaluations. The facility is housed in an area roughly the size of a supermarket parking lot.
For the Bentley owner with everything
Bentley owners after the best in luxury eyewear can shell out on special signature sunglasses complete with embossed leather case. The sunnies are hand-made in Germany using Zeiss lenses and come in 18ct gold or 950 platinum. Each pair is engraved with a serial number between 1-100. Prices start at $15,000-$20,000 for the gold examples and around $60,000 for the platinum ones.
Chev Cruzer pays homage to death-defying Bluesmobile
Chevrolet has marked its 100th anniversary with a customised Chevrolet Cruze called the Cruzer.
The four-door was worked up as a tribute to the Bluesmobile from The Blues Brothers and unveiled at a party at London's Ace Cafe.
Blues artists the Cruze Brothers entertained.
The original Bluesmobile was crafted from a retired Dodge Monaco police car, complete with the upgraded hardware necessary to leap drawbridges and outwit scores of frustrated cops. Chevrolet says the Cruzer was simply designed to celebrate an icon of American culture alongside the brand's birthday.
