1965 North American Aviation "skyline" Magazine Xb-70a Jet Cover on 2040-parts.com

Hennessey Venom GT sets new 270mph world speed record

The Hennessey Venom GT has set a new world speed record for a two-seat sports car, hitting an official top speed of 270.49mph. Carried out on the 3.2-mile Space Shuttle landing strip at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, the Venom GT eclipsed the former fastest car in the world’s record, the 267.86mph Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. On Bing: see pictures of the Hennessey Venom GTHennessey Venom GT reaches 265.7mph top speed It’s not the first time the Lotus Exige-based sports car has tried to take the French marque’s crown, with previous tests getting oh-so-close to beating the Bugatti.

Concept Car of the Week: Chrysler Atlantic (1995)

The Atlantic concept was arguably one of the first retro-remakes, starting a trend soon followed by cars like the Alfa Romeo Nuvola and the Renault Fiftie. The story began at the 1994 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Chrysler president Bob Lutz and Chrysler design chief Tom Gale served together as judges. Presented on the lawn around the clubhouse were a variety of old and new concept cars, contrasting with the classic cars to be judged.

The Mini is 50 years old today

  Today - 08/05/2009 - is the 50th anniversary of the first Mini rolling off the production line. To celebrate, and for a bit of free publicity (see, we’re playing the game) BMW has shipped the first Mini to roll of the production line back to Cowley to celebrate (picture at the bottom). 621 AOK, a Mini Minor, in Old English White, looks as fresh as the day it rolled off the production line half a century ago (although I wouldn’t mind betting it doesn’t have it’s original sills – they always rusted through – or copes with its original distributor and leads – one splash of rain and the car ground to a halt!).