Flash.(Briefs)

Brock Coupe released

The ink had barely dried on our last Carroll Shelby story (AW, July 28) when word came that Shelby's trademark on the Daytona Coupe trade dress had been rescinded. Shelby's attorneys had used the trademark registration to temporarily block the import of the Brock Coupe, a Daytona-like car built by Peter Brock and Superformance. However, on July 17, the trademark was rescinded and customs agents in New York released the Brock Coupe pending further action by the U.S. Trademark Office.

Shelby may not wait for the government agency to act and instead may take his case to federal court. "I have a lot of options and I'll chase the counterfeiters until they bury me,'' says Shelby.

Right now, plans call for showing the Brock Coupe at Hot August Nights in Reno and then later in the month at the Monterey Historics.

X5 horsepower bump

BMWs will offer just one V8-powered X5 for 2004, a 4.4-liter model producing 25 more horsepower. The 315-hp model, debuting in Frankfurt and on sale shortly thereafter, also gets a six-speed automatic. For those who prefer the manual transmission, 3.0-liter inline six model, BMW adds a sixth gear for 2004.

Burgeoning brands, ...