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One of the most famous 1960s works versions of the Mini Cooper S is up for sale in Britain. It was one of three British-entered Cooper S cars sensationally disqualified in the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally for using what French authorities said were the wrong bulbs in headlights. The Minis finished first, third and fourth and the disqualification denied the British team a three-peat, after wins in 1964 and 1965. A British Lotus Cortina that finished second was also ruled out for the same reason. Authorities awarded the race to the French Citroen team. Among the paperwork that comes with the Cooper S is a copy of the 1966 disqualification issued by the Automobile Club of Monaco. The car is expected to fetch around $250,000.
Fortwo fans see double
Mercedes-Benz could take legal action to stop European sales of a microcar similar to the Smart ForTwo. China Automobile Deutschland plans to launch the Shuanghuan Noble microcar soon after it shows the car at next month's Frankfurt motor show. The Noble looks a lot like the ForTwo, except that it has four seats. China Automobile Deutschland says it will sell the car in Germany for about €7000 ($13,327), the cheapest car on sale in Europe's biggest market. A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz said: "We take intellectual property very seriously and we reserve the right to pursue legal action. [The Noble] is a blatant attempt to copy a product of ours that has achieved cult status worldwide." China Automobile Deutschland says the car bears a resemblance to the Smart ForTwo only from certain angles.
Meter targets lead feet
Nissan is to equip all of its new cars with a device it says could help improve fuel efficiency by an average of 10 per cent. A real-time meter on the instrument panel monitors throttle inputs to show fuel usage. Jump on the go-pedal and consumption rises; maintain a steady speed and consumption eases. "When people have a fuel-efficiency meter on their cars, they tend to drive more carefully, trying to achieve good readings," said Nissan spokeswoman Haruko Wada. She said the meter was part of an effort by Nissan to cut CO2 emissions and promote its environmental technologies.
Hidden cost of hedonism
Thanks to soaring demand for luxury cars in Russia, Bentleys are much more common on the streets of Moscow - and a tempting target for thieves. At least seven of the luxury cars have been stolen in the Russian capital this year, including two in the past couple of weeks. The most recent theft was reported by a woman in her mid-20s, who said her sky-blue Bentley Continental was taken from a parking space near her apartment building in central Moscow. A Bentley Continental owned by 1972 Olympic gold medallist Vladimir Zhmudsky was also stolen.
Ex-exec bids for brands
Another former Ford executive has apparently joined the bidding for Ford's Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Sir Nick Scheele has joined New York-based Ripplewood Holdings in its bid for the luxury brands cash-strapped Ford is trying to sell. Scheele was Ford's president and CEO from 2001 until 2005. His involvement pits him against Australian Jacques Nasser, who was Ford's chief executive from 1999 to 2001. Nasser is leading a separate bid by One Equity Partners.
alastair.sloane@nzherald.co.nz
