Triumph of a chicken farmer

The story of American automotive legend Carroll Shelby was broadcast by the BBC a couple of years ago. It was called the Cobra/Ferrari Wars and told how the chicken farmer from Texas triumphed over Italian automotive aristocracy. Now the twin-set DVDhas just been released. It took producer Richard Symons 10 years to make and includes rare footage and previously unseen interviews. Said 81-year-old Shelby: "I spent a whole lot of time with Richard on this and he's really nailed it. Got all the right people, from Dan Gurney to Lee Iacocca. I'm very proud to have been part of it." Techbooks in Newmarket, Auckland, has it at $109.95.

Star cars

"Cars of the stars" will be one of the features of the 32nd Concours d'Elegance at Ellerslie Racecourse on February 13. Cars that have appeared in movies will compete in displays staged by more than 60 car clubs. Other attractions include examples of New Zealand's classic car movement, a Monsters of Speed exhibition featuring 26 of the world's fastest cars of their eras, and a special village demonstrating the work of the car-restoration industry. Millions of dollars worth of future collectibles will also be on show. On February 12, a dinner in aid of the Child Cancer Foundation will honour those who have made outstanding contributions to the classic car and restoration movement.

Carmakers combine

The Peugeot/Citroen PSA Group has signed a joint deal with Mitsubishi Motors in Japan to develop a four-wheel-drive sports utility vehicle.

Crash test dummy

The sales manager of a Ford dealership in Yonkers, New York, figured he had just enough time to take the new US$125,000 ($176,000) Ford GT supercar for a quick test drive before the owner came to collect it. Yep, he crashed it, less than 60 seconds into his spin around the block.

Mini mania

Much interest on this side of the ditch in the upcoming auction in Sydney of the Mini Cooper S that posted fastest time in 13 special stages of the 1971 Heatway Rally of New Zealand. The auction house www.shannons.com.au will also knock down another couple of automotive treats on Monday. A white 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Tourerand a two-tone, one-owner, 1958 Holden FC Special Sedan. The Phantom - only 2258 were built - landed in Australia in 1929 and was restored in 1984. The auction house expects it to fetch around $100,000. The FC Holden is expected to go for between $8000 and $13,000.

We are the world

* Samuel Woodrow had just broken into a house in Santa Fe, Texas, when he was startled by a loud hailer: "We have you surrounded. This is the police." He fled and surrendered to police in a patrol car. But they weren't waiting for him and didn't have the place surrounded. They were just passing by. KTRK-TV in Houston reported that a check on the house revealed the resident's three grandsons were playing the video game Grand Theft Auto in another room.

* A 22-year-old man who robbed a petrol station in Vancouver, Washington, eluded police after a high-speed chase. But he got lost and wound up back at the same petrol station, where he asked for directions. That's when the police turned up.