Daedalus_IHB
New member
This was the first year I could attend the auto show since they moved it up to Thanksgiving week instead of the usual January or February. It turns out, not surprisingly, that Thanksgiving is a pretty good day to go to avoid the crazy crowds, what with the combined impact of football and family obligations. Or maybe it's just the recession.
I started with Porsche, which always takes out a hall all to themselves.
The C4S Cabriolet is a pretty nice car, though I'm not sure about the pumpkin pulp interior.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03969.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03968.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03970.jpg" alt="" />
I love the styling on this 911. I can't believe I didn't take more pictures of it.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03971.jpg" alt="" />
AMG has some very talented people, and they push the end product far over into the aggressive and sporty side of the spectrum. Of course, the cost to convert some of these cars is more than the cost of the car itself.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03979.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03982.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03985.jpg" alt="" />
The Ferrari section is always crowded with gawkers, and is an exclusive stage for anyone who desires the attention of being (or posing as) a well-heeled buyer with serious discretionary means. A young man and his father were there at the time, with the very obvious intent of making the young man's Christmas dreams a reality.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03989.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03991.jpg" alt="" />
I never thought I could actually enjoy a color, but it's obvious Ferrari Red is not necessarily the best color. I think I'll repaint half my cars in this blue:
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03995.jpg" alt="" />
And the other half in this crimson:
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03998.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04000.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04003.jpg" alt="" />
I was surprised and delighted to see a Gumpert display at the show. Given the timing in regard to current events, these cars just might be the pinnacle of automotive performance for a good while.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04005.jpg" alt="" />
I've been a fan of Aston Martins for a number of years, but I actually found the current styling a small step down from past years.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04011.jpg" alt="" />
Finally! A great-performing Lotus that doesn't look ridiculous. I don't know anything about this car, but I imagine it's a more gentlemanly incarnation of the Elise. I do like the styling, and I can only hope entry and exit don't degrade you as a human being like they do with the Elise.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04017.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04022.jpg" alt="" />
I can't explain why, but I tend to prefer the bodywork of Lamborghinis over Ferraris. In the foreground, a helpful associate points out all the major components of the drivetrain to a curious grade-schooler. I'm impressed anytime a guy in a suit knows the difference between a compressor and an alternator, and this was no exception.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04023.jpg" alt="" />
I'm a sucker for naked...engines. It goes with the territory of being a car-guy and an engineer who thinks in terms of thousandths of an inch. The exhaust headers on this V-12 are the stuff of dreams. I've paid $1200 for performance headers in the past, and I only wished they looked as good as these beauties.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04033.jpg" alt="" />
Lambo doors exactly where they belong...on a Lambo.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04041.jpg" alt="" />
I can only imagine Elon Musk's reaction when he saw that Dodge was <em>also</em> bringing a Tesla to market. I no sooner finished pointing out the similarity when a group of people walked up and exclaimed the same thing. Perhaps Martin Eberhard has been busy contracting out his skills lately?
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04046.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04049.jpg" alt="" />
It seems everyone had an electric car in some stage of development.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04052.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04088.jpg" alt="" />
Ah, my first time in the seat of the Genesis. Reviews have been very positive for the most part, but they always seem to end in "for the money". What can I say? I like it. The interior is at least as good as my daily driver, which stickered for quite a bit more when it was new.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04062.jpg" alt="" />
They also had a coupe version, due out for 2010, which seems to have come off a Japanese drawing board. Make mine black, please. Oh, and with a V-8 instead of a V-6.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04074.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04077.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04079.jpg" alt="" />
An interesting Buick Riviera concept. Could this car be made for the same cost to produce as the current Riviera? Maybe under an umbrella of bankruptcy. Then again, maybe not.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04096.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04099.jpg" alt="" />
There was a prohibitive line to sit in the BMW 6-Series. Very nice car, with a price to match.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04101.jpg" alt="" />
Maseratis have always kind of been out there on the styling to price quotient. Here, the front end went off the deep end, as far as I'm concerned.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04105.jpg" alt="" />
This upcoming G37 convertible was a stunner. It has a very slick rigid top that disappears into the trunk at the push of a button. Unlike a lot of convertible, it also looks great either way (and probably better with the top down).
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04110.jpg" alt="" />
I like the EX35 a lot, except for the 35 part. Make it an EX45 or an EX50 and you've got a winner in my opinion. The cameras on all sides give virtual 360 visibility from the dashboard monitor.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04116.jpg" alt="" />
The Solstice is a <em>very</em> nice car...on the <em>outside</em>. Under that exotic-looking sheetmetal is a hot date with a vague personality and an interior that is unmistakably GM.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04119.jpg" alt="" />
Acuras make high-quality cars with very nice features. But why has it taken so long to get a V-8 into the line-up? And what the heck is up with the front ends on all the new models?
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04118.jpg" alt="" />
The 370Z is a really nice evolution of the 350Z. The styling is much more palatable to my eye, as I didn't take to the 350Z right away like I thought I would. It looks like the (somewhat) affordable sports car arms race is on again, at least for a few marques. Hopefully they maintain the "affordable" aspect, lest these models follow the 300ZX, RX-7, Supra and 3000GT into car industry heaven. Nissan, if you're listening, the biggest thing your $20k+ cars need is a diet; the're a little heavier than they ought to be for what they are. Your EPA ratings will thank you.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04128.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04133.jpg" alt="" />
Aaahhhh, finally, Nissan's GTR. When was the last time a car garnered this much anticipation in the states? The GTR on display in the Nissan arena had, by a wide margin, the biggest crowds outside the exotic makes. OMG GTR UR SO HAWT!!!111 Fast and Furious crowd aside, this is one genuinely amazing vehicle. It's single purpose, apparently, is to embarrass nearly every other sports car on the road...and in its very first year of production, no less. Gadgets and sensors monitor every aspect of operation and computers tweak outputs as required to optimize performance. Purists lament how easy it is to drive one of these things <em>juststoopidfast</em> without needing a multitude of racing certificates. But let's be honest; most people who buy Ferraris don't have a multitude of racing diplomas, and keeping lead-footed captains of industry out of trouble in a hairpin turn is just a good idea that benefits everyone. Just a side note, this thing is BIG. The GTR's lineage comes from the Skyline, which carries the nickname Godzilla in automotive circles, and the dimensions of this 2-seater (4 if you consider pets and small children) are trying to live up to that moniker. Nissan, please see my comment above about losing weight.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04144.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04158.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04161.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04166.jpg" alt="" />
I found it interesting, in light of the crowds upstairs at Nissan, that a GTR used to hawk rims in Kentia Hall (populated by aftermarket supplier displays) had but a lone photographer to keep it company.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04199.jpg" alt="" />
The GTR might find this challenger stiff competition in a drag race. Good luck negotiating any turns. Or finding parking.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04168.jpg" alt="" />
This, uh, <em>thing</em>, sure did pique my curiosity. If I had to guess I would say it was made in the 70s. Looks like it belongs in the new milk ad campaign.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04173.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04175.jpg" alt="" />
Another noteworthy expression of creativity.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04182.jpg" alt="" />
Final pic. I really want one of these.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04189.jpg" alt="" />
I started with Porsche, which always takes out a hall all to themselves.
The C4S Cabriolet is a pretty nice car, though I'm not sure about the pumpkin pulp interior.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03969.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03968.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03970.jpg" alt="" />
I love the styling on this 911. I can't believe I didn't take more pictures of it.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03971.jpg" alt="" />
AMG has some very talented people, and they push the end product far over into the aggressive and sporty side of the spectrum. Of course, the cost to convert some of these cars is more than the cost of the car itself.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03979.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03982.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03985.jpg" alt="" />
The Ferrari section is always crowded with gawkers, and is an exclusive stage for anyone who desires the attention of being (or posing as) a well-heeled buyer with serious discretionary means. A young man and his father were there at the time, with the very obvious intent of making the young man's Christmas dreams a reality.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03989.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03991.jpg" alt="" />
I never thought I could actually enjoy a color, but it's obvious Ferrari Red is not necessarily the best color. I think I'll repaint half my cars in this blue:
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03995.jpg" alt="" />
And the other half in this crimson:
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc03998.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04000.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04003.jpg" alt="" />
I was surprised and delighted to see a Gumpert display at the show. Given the timing in regard to current events, these cars just might be the pinnacle of automotive performance for a good while.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04005.jpg" alt="" />
I've been a fan of Aston Martins for a number of years, but I actually found the current styling a small step down from past years.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04011.jpg" alt="" />
Finally! A great-performing Lotus that doesn't look ridiculous. I don't know anything about this car, but I imagine it's a more gentlemanly incarnation of the Elise. I do like the styling, and I can only hope entry and exit don't degrade you as a human being like they do with the Elise.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04017.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04022.jpg" alt="" />
I can't explain why, but I tend to prefer the bodywork of Lamborghinis over Ferraris. In the foreground, a helpful associate points out all the major components of the drivetrain to a curious grade-schooler. I'm impressed anytime a guy in a suit knows the difference between a compressor and an alternator, and this was no exception.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04023.jpg" alt="" />
I'm a sucker for naked...engines. It goes with the territory of being a car-guy and an engineer who thinks in terms of thousandths of an inch. The exhaust headers on this V-12 are the stuff of dreams. I've paid $1200 for performance headers in the past, and I only wished they looked as good as these beauties.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04033.jpg" alt="" />
Lambo doors exactly where they belong...on a Lambo.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04041.jpg" alt="" />
I can only imagine Elon Musk's reaction when he saw that Dodge was <em>also</em> bringing a Tesla to market. I no sooner finished pointing out the similarity when a group of people walked up and exclaimed the same thing. Perhaps Martin Eberhard has been busy contracting out his skills lately?
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04046.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04049.jpg" alt="" />
It seems everyone had an electric car in some stage of development.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04052.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04088.jpg" alt="" />
Ah, my first time in the seat of the Genesis. Reviews have been very positive for the most part, but they always seem to end in "for the money". What can I say? I like it. The interior is at least as good as my daily driver, which stickered for quite a bit more when it was new.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04062.jpg" alt="" />
They also had a coupe version, due out for 2010, which seems to have come off a Japanese drawing board. Make mine black, please. Oh, and with a V-8 instead of a V-6.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04074.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04077.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04079.jpg" alt="" />
An interesting Buick Riviera concept. Could this car be made for the same cost to produce as the current Riviera? Maybe under an umbrella of bankruptcy. Then again, maybe not.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04096.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04099.jpg" alt="" />
There was a prohibitive line to sit in the BMW 6-Series. Very nice car, with a price to match.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04101.jpg" alt="" />
Maseratis have always kind of been out there on the styling to price quotient. Here, the front end went off the deep end, as far as I'm concerned.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04105.jpg" alt="" />
This upcoming G37 convertible was a stunner. It has a very slick rigid top that disappears into the trunk at the push of a button. Unlike a lot of convertible, it also looks great either way (and probably better with the top down).
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04110.jpg" alt="" />
I like the EX35 a lot, except for the 35 part. Make it an EX45 or an EX50 and you've got a winner in my opinion. The cameras on all sides give virtual 360 visibility from the dashboard monitor.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04116.jpg" alt="" />
The Solstice is a <em>very</em> nice car...on the <em>outside</em>. Under that exotic-looking sheetmetal is a hot date with a vague personality and an interior that is unmistakably GM.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04119.jpg" alt="" />
Acuras make high-quality cars with very nice features. But why has it taken so long to get a V-8 into the line-up? And what the heck is up with the front ends on all the new models?
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04118.jpg" alt="" />
The 370Z is a really nice evolution of the 350Z. The styling is much more palatable to my eye, as I didn't take to the 350Z right away like I thought I would. It looks like the (somewhat) affordable sports car arms race is on again, at least for a few marques. Hopefully they maintain the "affordable" aspect, lest these models follow the 300ZX, RX-7, Supra and 3000GT into car industry heaven. Nissan, if you're listening, the biggest thing your $20k+ cars need is a diet; the're a little heavier than they ought to be for what they are. Your EPA ratings will thank you.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04128.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04133.jpg" alt="" />
Aaahhhh, finally, Nissan's GTR. When was the last time a car garnered this much anticipation in the states? The GTR on display in the Nissan arena had, by a wide margin, the biggest crowds outside the exotic makes. OMG GTR UR SO HAWT!!!111 Fast and Furious crowd aside, this is one genuinely amazing vehicle. It's single purpose, apparently, is to embarrass nearly every other sports car on the road...and in its very first year of production, no less. Gadgets and sensors monitor every aspect of operation and computers tweak outputs as required to optimize performance. Purists lament how easy it is to drive one of these things <em>juststoopidfast</em> without needing a multitude of racing certificates. But let's be honest; most people who buy Ferraris don't have a multitude of racing diplomas, and keeping lead-footed captains of industry out of trouble in a hairpin turn is just a good idea that benefits everyone. Just a side note, this thing is BIG. The GTR's lineage comes from the Skyline, which carries the nickname Godzilla in automotive circles, and the dimensions of this 2-seater (4 if you consider pets and small children) are trying to live up to that moniker. Nissan, please see my comment above about losing weight.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04144.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04158.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04161.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04166.jpg" alt="" />
I found it interesting, in light of the crowds upstairs at Nissan, that a GTR used to hawk rims in Kentia Hall (populated by aftermarket supplier displays) had but a lone photographer to keep it company.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04199.jpg" alt="" />
The GTR might find this challenger stiff competition in a drag race. Good luck negotiating any turns. Or finding parking.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04168.jpg" alt="" />
This, uh, <em>thing</em>, sure did pique my curiosity. If I had to guess I would say it was made in the 70s. Looks like it belongs in the new milk ad campaign.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04173.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04175.jpg" alt="" />
Another noteworthy expression of creativity.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04182.jpg" alt="" />
Final pic. I really want one of these.
<img src="http://www.ozop.net/Auto_Show_09/dsc04189.jpg" alt="" />
