Rifling through boxes at an estate sale paid off for Bobby Goins after he recently found a 1952  Ferrari 212 Inter Ghia Cabriolet tucked away and forgotten.

The car, which was barely visible except the emblem, had been sitting in a garage for 40 years. Pickers find forgotten cars frequently, but unless it’s really notable they don’t make it to the media. Last September we brought you a story about a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing being found in California, but this latest find beats the Benz.

According to information from FerrariChat.com, Goins only knew it was a Ferrari, but had no idea what model it was or its value. He soon found out exactly what he had, but there was one catch: it had a Corvette engine. The could have compromised the value from a restoration perspective, but against all odds, the original engine was located in Wisconsin.

Though the amount he paid for the car wasn’t disclosed, Goins sold the car for $150,000 to someone who plans to fully restore it and set it on display at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

[Source: FerrariChat]

Following on from the announcement that it’s moving  global headquarters from Yokohama to Hong Kong, Infiniti is now looking at moving other assets overseas, namely the production of vehicles.

This latest move is largely due to the  record value of the yen against the US dollar which is making the marque’s vehicles increasingly less profitable in the North American market (the US remains a major source of revenue for the brand).

It’s a similar situation to that experienced by Japanese automakers in the 1990s, when the rising yen squeezed profitability on Nippon built vehicles sold in the United States (auto aficionados may recall the demise of the Nissan Z32 300ZX and Toyota Supra as particular examples).

Getting back to the present, Infiniti (despite assembling the goliath QX SUV in the US for a time) currently doesn’t build any vehicles outside Japan, though Andy Palmer, executive vice president for the brand said recently that, “as cars come up for renewal, generally they’re being relocated in a function of where the majority of sales are.”

Although deliberately vague, based on recent product introductions, that probably  means more production will materialize in the US and Europe, likely with added capacity at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee facility for SUV based models (the new JX, unveiled at the LA Auto Show will be built there) and possibly Nissan’s operations in Sunderland, UK as a source for smaller, hatchback based cars, like the production version of the Etherea concept.

Whatever happens, expect to see this shift in production to oversees markets as a continuing trend in the coming years as Infiniti, along with other Japanese automakers aims to limit the affect of global currency fluctuations and potential supply issues on vehicle production.

[Source: Autoblog]

There is less than a week until Christmas and if you’re looking for a gift that’s just plain bonkers we’re here to help. How about a 1991 Toyota Camry LE customized like a candy cane and decked out in what can only be described as hilarity and nonsense.

Despite the Providence, RI. seller, repeatedly insisting the car is not for sale during his advertisement, it can be had for a tiny buy-it-now price of $1.7 million on eBay. For that price it comes complete with the world’s smallest pogo stick instead of a spare tire, hopelessly goofy workout equipment on the roof, a live Boston terrier hood ornament and many other homespun features.

The price-tag might seem outrageous, but consider this: the silly Santa selling the car might actually be ahead of safety innovators like Volvo. His creation sports functional fashion: stripes that boast “900 candlepower” to make sure you not only see the car day or night, but that you’re as good as blind while driving behind it. If you get hit in this thing it’s probably intentional.

Not only that, but the car runs on insanity instead of gas— “eat your heart out, GM,” the seller says in his video. It’s probably true because you would have to be crazy to bid on this thing, or would you?

Right now there are 23 bids for the car, which is currently fetching $2025. Sure it falls short of the price tag, but what value can you really put on a car that really is unforgettable? The answer is just around the corner. Rhode Island’s funniest car will disappear from eBay on December 22 and we’re eagerly watching to see what people are willing to pay.

GALLERY: Candy Cane Toyota Camry

Watch the video below:

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General Motors is taking their Cadillac and OnStar brand to the 2012 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.

The show, which runs from January 10 – 13, is a hot bed for all the latest gadgets and gizmos and GM wants to take advantage of that by showcasing their latest version of the OnStar system and Cadillac’s new CUE multi-media infotainment system.

Cadillac will be demonstrating for the press and public how CUE works and also regarding the creation of this innovative new technology.

OnStar will unveil its evolutionary research in the 4G LTE cloud connected vehicle space and reveal future expansions in the mobile applications arena. It will also make announcements about  OnStar FMV, its aftermarket rearview mirror that contains all of OnStar’s key functions for older and off-brand vehicles.

OnStar will also collaborate with Verizon Wireless to show how its 4G LTE network to show how its in vehicle streaming can benefit all its occupants.

The 2012 C.E.S. will be held at the Casanova Ballroom of the Venetian Hotel and Casino, so if you want to see the latest technology from GM and other tech companies, this is the show to be at.

The newest edition of the Hyundai Genesis will debut for the first time in North America at the North American International Autoshow in Detroit in early January.

Since the release of the Korean specs there has been a buzz about the powertrain offerings in the new Genesis coupe. The base coupe will come with a 2.0L TCI turbo charged engine or a more impressive 3.8L direct injection motor. The 2.0L will put out 275-hp while the 3.8L will pack 350 horses under the hood. Both of the engines can be coupled with either an eight speed automatic transmission or a six speed manual.

Although we have seen press photo’s of the new Genesis a video walk through of the car has been awaited; and finally it’s here. Keep in mind that the vehicle in the video is built to South Korean Spec, so it may look a little different then what we will get here in North America.

Watch the Video below:

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Remember the Chrysler TC by Maserati? It was an American car with some Italian influence and the end result was simply awful.

Let’s hope this alliance will bear better fruit this time around, as Maserati is set to unveil their Kubang SUV concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

The Kubang, which will be the first SUV to wear a Maserati badge, will be based on the chassis of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. While power will be provided by an Italian engine (Maserati uses Ferrari engines in their cars), the vehicle is expected to be produced in America at Chrysler’s Jefferson North facility.

The Kubang concept was last seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September, and while we cannot confirm if the Detroit unveil will be of the same vehicle or something different, we do know that Maserati will unveil an SUV at the N.A.I.A.S.

Put the two together and its easy to figure out that possibly a more production ready version of the Kubang will bow in Detroit.

We will be covering the Detroit auto show and will bring you all the latest news from the show, as it happens.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Following in IKEA’s eco-footsteps, Kolh’s is the latest store to add EV charging stations in its parking lots.

The department store will be adding electric vehicle charging stations to 33 Kohl’s locations throughout the U.S. Each of the stores will be setting aside one to four spots for EV drivers to recharge while they shop – at no extra charge. To charge up, EV drivers need to ask for a radio frequency identification card from the Kohl’s customer service desk or call a phone number provided on the charging station.

Partnering with ECOtality Inc. and Coulomb Technologies, these EV charging stations are part of an infrastructure pilot program funded partially through the U.S. Department of Energy.

“Kohl’s pilot of electric vehicle charging stations demonstrates our commitment to advancing environmental solutions in a meaningful and tangible way for our customers,” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief administrative officer. “Not only are these stations an added shopper convenience, they also encourage environmental responsibility among our shoppers. We will continue to explore additional locations to pilot charging stations at our stores nationwide.”

You can expect to see these EV charging stations at Kolh’s stores in Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

After filing for bankruptcy on Monday morning, Saab is now suspending all warranty coverage on its North American cars.

Saab dealers have been told that all remaining vehicles they have on the lot are to be sold as is with no coverage; The warranty booklets were even removed from the information packets of new Saab’s. The demise of the company could mean better deals for some, but it also proves to be an unfortunate surprise for any new Saab owners. Saab has also suspended the processing of payments and claims that were underway, even if they were started before the automaker filed for bankruptcy.

“Saab owners should be advised to keep receipts of all related warranty work done or services performed until further notice,” Saab Cars North America said. It is not 100% confirmed that the warranty claims will not be honored, but for the time being dealers have been told to assume the worst.

[Source:Automotive News]

How often do you change the oil in your car? Every 3,000 miles? 5,000? 7,000? You may be changing your oil more than you need to, and California is setting out to change that.

It’s a common misconception that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles, which wastes millions of gallons of oil every year. That’s why California is launching the “Check Your Number” campaign that urges drivers to hold off changing their oil so often.

About 50 percent of California drivers change their oil at the 3,000 mile mark. The truth is, with all the improvements in oils, friction proofing and car engines, you should be changing your oil at about every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. California officials say that by waiting longer between oil changes, the state will be able to save about 10 million gallons of oil a year. As well as being good for the environment, you won’t hurt the longevity or reliability of your vehicle by holding off a bit longer and you’ll save some extra cash.

If you’re a resident of California, you can check the suggested motor-oil change interval number at checkyournumber.org.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

The Nurburgring circuit is the measuring stick many look toward to test a vehicle’s capacity in a single lap. It’s a hell of a track that puts the most performance oriented cars and drivers through their paces better than any other, that’s why claiming a good time is such a great thing there.

Cadillac is currently testing their ATS compact sports coupe there to get it ready for release, but today we’re looking at numbers boasted by the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series courtesy of Sport Auto, a local publication.

The German brute sliced 15 seconds off its less aggressive C63 AMG sibling to earn an impressive 7:46 lap time. That tucked the car right between the other two being tested that day: the Porsche 911 Carrera S which won with 7:44, and right ahead of the BMW M3 GTS at 7:48.

While calling any AMG tame feels like an affront to enthusiasts everywhere, there are serious go-fast features on the long-labelled Black Series version, including a staggering 517 horsepower (66 more than the lesser C63 AMG).

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

[Source: BenzBoost]