1997 Polaris Sportsman 500 Seat on 2040-parts.com

Ford's automotive assembly line celebrates 100th anniversary

A mere century ago, on Oct. 7, 1913, Henry Ford rigged up a rope tow to get Model T chassis across the floor of his Highland Park assembly plant -- essentially winching cars across the factory floor and adding a set schedule of parts at certain intervals. The implementation may have been a bit primitive, but Ford was on the cusp something big: applying the concepts of the moving assembly line to the complicated, costly process of automobile production.

Michael Mauer appointed head of design at Porsche

Porsche AG has anounced the appointment of Michael Mauer to take over as chief designer from Harm Lagaay, who will retire on July 1 after 15 years in the post. Michael Mauer, 41, studied automobile design at Pforzheim University, and started his career at Mercedes-Benz. In 1989, he was appointed design project leader for the Mercedes V Class models, and was in charge of design work for the first SLK model generation.

Shelby American celebrates the GT350's anniversary with a modern Mustang

Shelby American is marking the 45th anniversary of the legendary Shelby GT350 Mustang with a new version, designed for Ford's new 5.0-liter V8 in the 2011 Mustang. For those willing to plunk down $33,995--plus the cost of a new Mustang--the team at Shelby American in Las Vegas will crank out a modernized GT350. On the outside, that calls for white paint with the blue racing stripes down the center of the hood, roof and deck.