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The 1975 Ford XB Falcon 'John Goss Special' hardtop coupe is one of those iconic Australian muscle cars. Just about every Ford fan would love to have one, but with only around 260 built, there's not enough to go round. George Vlahakis is one of the lucky owners - twice lucky, actually, as the Goss he sourced for restoration in 2008 was not only straight and relatively rust-free, but a matching numbers unit as well.

It's been one of the most keenly-anticipated cars in the history of the Touring Car Masters series, but this March, the AMC Javelin built for Jim Richards will make its competitive debut at the Clipsal 500.

Queensland-based classic car specialists Oldtimer Australia have a habit of finding old and extremely rare cars for sale, both here and overseas, for their clients. However, Oldtimer have excelled even themselves with this recent acquisition - a 1948 Tatra T87 sedan. A rare example of one of the Czech motor industry's most stunning cars, what makes this car even rarer is that it's one of the few to have been factory fitted with a sunroof, and has been upgraded with a later model of the firm's signature air-cooled V8 engine.

For many, Rod Hadfield's 'Final Objective' 1955 Chevrolet 2-door hardtop is the "final word" in hot rodding and customisation. When it was new, it wowed Australian audiences. When it was taken to the US, it did the same. Recently, the latest chapter in the Final Objective story was written when it was auctioned at the 41st Annual Barrett-Jackson auction in the USA this past January.

Once the dust and noise settled following the cessation of the war in Europe in May 1945, the Austin Motor Company was very quick to get back to automobile production. Admittedly, the first offerings were warmed-over 1939 models, but by 1947 the company had released the A40 Devon, the first post-war Austin and the first of what have become known as the 'Counties' Austins.

The Bricklin SV-1 is a very rare vehicle, and a car few Aussies would have heard of, let alone seen. So when not one, but two Bricklins were advertised with JUST CARS, we were intrigued to find out more about this rare 'safety sports car' and its controversial creator, Malcolm Bricklin.

America's January auction season once again saw Gooding & Co top the sales, with a Mercedes 300 SL 'Gullwing' selling for US$4.62 million.

Daihatsu no longer markets its products in Australia_ passenger cars or light commercials_ despite having had quite a following. By the early 1960s Daihatsu made the decision to enter the so-called family car market after years of successfully building their business up from micro cars and a wide range of light commercials.

The Dakar 2012 proved to be the 'Year of the Mini', with the X-Raid All4 Raing Minis finishing first and second in the event. The only real challenge to the X-Raid Minis came from the Hummer H3s of Robby Gordon and last year's winner (in a VW Touareg) Nasser Al-Attiyah.

Lee Roy Hartung's enthusiasm for all things auto related, his eclectic taste, and his commitment to 'never sell anything' resulted in one of the most extensive and intriguing collections of all time. Over five decades, Hartung acquired some truly rare and unique items, from automobiles to motorcycles, related memorabilia, bicycles, number plates, toys and more. When the 86-year-old from Illinois, USA died, his entire collection was put up for auction this past November through Auctions America by RM.

After losing more than an hour on Stage 11, Robby Gordon's hopes of a podium finish, let alone a Dakar win, were gone. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the American set his sights on Stage wins for the remainder of the 2012 Dakar, and started off in brilliant style on Stage 12.

Auction season has kicked off in the US, and one of the more intruiguing lots from the upcoming RM Auctions Phoenix sale, to be held on January 19 & 20, is the F150 'Lightning Rod' concept pickup.

Early and rare Ferraris have been among the top sellers at auctions around the world in 2011. With the US auction season about to kick off, RM Auctions are no doubt hoping the trend continues in 2012, with a number of exceptional Ferraris consigned for their Phoenix sale on January 20.

Most car manufacturers are in a slump, but not so Rolls-Royce. The BMW-owned prestige marque enjoyed its best ever sales result in 2011, selling 3,538 vehicles globally during the year.

Held in the lead up to the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Bonhams' annual New Bond Street, London auction of Veteran Cars and related Memorabilia was another success. The 147 lots on offer included eight London to Brighton eligible vehicles, seven of which sold, giving them a clearance rate of 91 percent.

They were tipped to be the team to beat before the start of the 2012 Dakar rally, and the flotilla of Minis from the German-based X-Raid team haven't disappointed, winning multiple stages and looking likely to secure an overall class victory in the fortnight-long South American endurance event.

January marks the start of auction season in the US, and one of the first and biggest for the year will likely be the RM Auctions January event, to be held at the Biltmore Resort in Phoenix on January 19 & 20. Amongst the Cadillacs, Ferraris, Rollers and Duesenbergs that are expected to sell well at this auction is a truly rare piece of American sports car history - the fifth production Corvette.

Affectionately known as Melbourne's Festival of Speed, the all-new Rally Calder presented by East Coast Bullbars is now open for entries in all categories. Opening the Bosch Australian Rally Championship, Rally Calder will take place on March 1-4.

Jaguar's XJ6 saloon was one of the most successful and important models in its history, one that endured, in various forms, for more than two decades. The hardtop coupe version of the XJ6, the XJ6C, wasn't quite so longed-lived. However, when new, the XJ coupe attracted a lot of attention and added another chapter to the XJ story.

The first leg of the gruelling, challenging, infamous Dakar rally got underway on January 1, starting in Argentina, and covering over 8,000 kilometres on its way to Peru. Following the withdrawl of the all-dominant Volkswagen Touareg, this year's event has opened up to revitalised teams fielding Hummer H3s and Mini Countrymans.

In January 1948, Ford's first new postwar vehicles were released. However, the new models weren't passenger cars, but trucks. In addition to new styling, the trucks also featured a new identification system - the 'F Series' - which would go on to be the most popular and enduring model range in Ford's history.

Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction, their first for 2012, has already attracted a number of Aussie classics amongst the early consignments, including a heavily-modified FJ, Valiant Wayfarer ute, and an FE Special with rare 'Detroit' side trim.

Looking for something different to drive in 2012? You should start by calling in to Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction this coming February 20. Amongst the early consignments for the auction are a rare Fiat 1800B Sedan and Citroen 2CV, plus a Jaguar C Type replica, Ford Capri, heavily-modified FJ, Valiant Wayfarer ute, and an FE Special with rare side trim.

After a successful debut in 2011, the Variety Creative Car Cruise (CCC) is set to return for 2012, taking motoring enthusiasts on a four-day run along some of WA's most picturesque roads. Departing from Fremantle on Friday 30 March 2012 this travelling car show will stop in Cervantes and several "mystery" locations, before returning to Fremantle for the official finish on Monday 2 April 2012.