(November 21, 2014) LOS ANGELES — "Personalization" continues to be a growing consumer trend with custom product colors and features being offered on everything from mobile phones to kitchen appliances. Yet in the automotive world, the desire to "make it yours" can be traced back to the early days of hot rods and custom cars where shaved door handles, bullet spotlights, metalflake paint jobs and elaborate pinstriping set hardcore enthusiasts and their rides apart from the crowd.

(November 21, 2014) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nissan has announced U.S. pricing for the all-new 2015 Nissan Murano, which made its production debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Murano is scheduled to arrive at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning on Dec. 5.

While Murano has always stood out from ordinary crossovers with its refined yet daring and futuristic design, the new third-generation design kicks it up many notches with its concept car-like styling, premium interior and advanced, purposeful technology.

Practical perhaps, but weird looking in our estimation, the AMC Pacer hit the market in 1975. It was designed, according to AMC, to offer the interior room and feel of a big car in a small-car package with its extraordinarily wide stance and enormous glass area. Despite good reviews from the automotive press, the Pacer never really caught on with the public and was discontinued in 1980. This abandoned early-model Pacer appears in restorable condition.  (Photo by Jim Meachen)

(November 20, 2014) LOS ANGELES — Chevrolet introduced the Colorado ZR2 concept — a vision of how Chevrolet could take the all-new midsize truck’s off-road capability to the next level — at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. It also showcases the new 2.8L Duramax diesel engine that will arrive in the Colorado lineup later next year.

The aggressively styled concept builds on the capabilities of the production Colorado Z71 and advances the legacy of Chevrolet’s previous ZR2 production models.