Ford's New Retro Mustang GT Convertible Concept, And Also the First Production Version of the Chevy SSR; Lamborghini's New Gallardo Supercar, Live Coverage From the L.A. Auto Show And More on TheCarConnection.com

DETROIT, Jan. 2 -- The New Year starts off with the proverbial bang on TheCarConnection.com . While Ford won't officially reveal its new retro-styled Mustang GT convertible show car until next week's North American International Auto Show, TCC has exclusive advance photos -- and the inside story -- in today's special edition. With the new Mustang, Ford will take a giant step forward into the past. This thinly disguised prototype reveals a lot about the all-new Mustang going into production later this year. Born in the automaker's Living Legends styling studio, it evokes a sense of deja vu that's precisely what Ford Design Director J Mays had in mind. See the very first Mustang GT Convertible concept pics and an archive of great Mustangs past. Then tell Ford design chief J Mays what you think through a special forum on the TCC message boards. In this New Year's edition, find first official photos of the production version of Chevrolet's Vette-powered pick-up the SSR. Actually vehicle #2, according to its VIN, it's one of "Signature Edition" SSRs Chevy will customize in a "unique launch program that will create one-of-a-kind 'pedigrees' for each vehicle." TCC has the photos and story. Today's Daily Edition update also features breaking news from Lamborghini, with a first report on Lamborghini's "affordable" 200-mph supercar, the Gallardo. Check out TheCarConnection's comprehensive and newly-updated preview of the Los Angeles and Detroit auto shows. Get advance word on more than 50 cars, trucks, crossovers and concepts debuting at the year's most important auto shows, including the all-new Chevy Equinox, the breakthrough Dodge Magnum, BMW's hot Alpine and the top-secret Rolls-Royce RR1. Then keep on top of the breaking news as TCC rolls out continuing, live coverage of both the LA International and (Detroit) North American International Auto Shows. Continuous updates will begin on the West Coast Thursday and run through the end of next week as the action shifts to the Midwest. TCC's Best-of-2002 report takes on all the important, amusing, odd and unusual events that added up to an amazing year. And visitors can read some of the site's best news coverage from 2002, reportage that recently won TheCarConnection "Best-of-the-Web" honors in the annual International Automotive Media Awards. You'll find accurate new car pricing, reviews you can trust, weekly racing results, TCC's OnSite Mechanic and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority, TheCarConnection.com . Web users also can access TheCarConnection through the PR Newswire site http://www.prnewswire.com .