Auto Almanac

Drawing Board

2011 BMW X3: The all-wheel-drive X3 receives a modest body reshaping later this year, including a new hood, nose and taillamps plus neatly creased contour lines between the doors and fenders. Both of BMW's latest 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engines will also be available, starting with the 240-horsepower version in the Xdrive28i. The turbocharged 3.0 in the Xdrive35i generates 300 horsepower. Each powerplant employs an eight-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous six-speed.

You Auto Know

n The Locomobile Co. of America was founded in 1899 by Mr. A.L. Barber, who had invented asphalt 22 years earlier.

n In 1980, Canadians Garry Sowerby and Ken Langley circumnavigated the world in just 77 days. The car they used? A Volvo 245 wagon.

Who am I?

To guess his secret identity, read the following clues!

1) Back in 1937, this business-savvy 22-year-old took his family's scrap-metal yard to a new level.

2) To expand business, he produced a 25-cent "giant auto parts catalog" from a small company called J.C. Whitney and Co.

3) As business and the catalog grew, he became more active in establishing the aftermarket-parts industry, forming the Automotive Parts and Accessories Association.

4) In 2001, he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

ANSWER: You might not be familiar with the name Roy Warshawsky, but what he did revolutionized the aftermarket parts business.

eBay watch

1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray roadster, one bid, sold, $18,900: Early third-generation (C3) 'Vettes can still be had for a reasonable cash outlay if you look carefully. This roadster features its original 350-cubic-inch V-8, a four-speed manual transmission and a soft top that appears brand-new. And the best part about this roadster is the mere 22,350 documented miles displayed on its odometer. The seller was likely hoping for more and higher bids, but a single bid to match to the starting asking price of $18,900 was all it took to send this 'Vette to a new home.

Top Gear

Reach and Clean, $19.45, www.invisibleglass.com, 800-227-553: The Reach & Clean glass tool kit from Stoner -- the company that sells Invisible Glass cleaner -- can save you considerable grief trying to clean the inside of the windshield. The pivoting 14-inch handle and triangular head reaches into hard-to-access areas and the three different head covers -- microfiber, terry and nylon mesh -- can remove just about anything that sticks to glass.

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