HIGH-END TIDBITS II

The Targa Tasmania will feature a Pagani Zonda when the 17th running takes place a month from now. Two Queensland area brothers are owners of the Zonda, which will be used as the Targa's sweep car, doing a final check of the route before competitors cruise through.

Nissan Oz hasn't finalized anything for its GT-R importation. The car is expected to cost $150,000 Down Under, but with its sterling motorsport reputation in Australia, the real question lies on a track. First up, a GT-R will compete in the aforementioned Targa Tasmania. A full motorsport slate won't be determined until the car goes on sale next year.

Florida, California, and New York will be home to the first seven AMG Performance Centers this year. Mercedes-Benz hopes to add another 23 before 2009. This will include a dedicated area for AMG-tuned Benz's and dedicated web sites. Interestingly, Mercedes and AMG became official working partners in 1990 and Mercedes took full ownership in 1999. The wildly successful performance arm now builds a version of just about every Benz model. Typically, an AMG buyer has more than double the household income of a regular Mercedes buyer. It is also far more likely that the AMG buyer is a male, despite what Lindsay Lohan has led you to believe. Aufrecht, the A in AMG, is the last name of one founder, as is Melcher. G equals the birthplac of Hans-Weurner Aufrecht, Grossaspach. Who knows what happened to the hometown of Erhard Melcher?

"When a car is subsequently and substantially modified beyond its original design, Ferrari no longer considers such a modified vehicle to be a Ferrari. In such cases where the fundamental vehicle structure has been heavily modified beyond its original design, Ferrari will take the required steps to protect the heritage of the brand and the integrity of our products." Indeed, another sensitive Italian supercar maker wants Dan Cawley to take the Ferrari badges off his stretched, 8-seat, 170mph limousine. This isn't a Pontiac Fiero-turned-360 Modena. It's a chop and rebuild of a 360, somewhat reminiscent of this Corvette limo, but better looking.