Nitrous Express (17035) 0.035 Single Jet on 2040-parts.com

Subaru seeks to dump 'quirky,' broaden appeal

When Subaru arrived in the United States in the 1960s, ads used the unflattering slogan "cheap and ugly." The brand has come a long way. But to critics, the concept of "Subaru styling" is still an oxymoron. Even loyalists describe it as "quirky"; the less charitable choose "bland" and "boxy." Subaru is one of the few brands that have been unscathed, even growing stronger, during the U.S.

John Fitch's Phoenix up for auction

John Cooper Fitch -- World War II hero, racer par excellence, safety pioneer, and all-around nice guy -- used to show off his Phoenix at the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in southwestern Connecticut, not terribly far from his 1700s estate in his beloved Lime Rock. The Phoenix was his vision of an American Porsche, a strange mashup of a De Tomaso Pantera with Corvette Stingray. Twin humps on the fenders hid dual spare tires, different sizes for the front and rear.

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.