Occasionally I don't write about triathlon related topics. This is one of those times. I would say that I have gone to the Chicago Autoshow 6 or 8 times over the last 10 years. I go with my dad, who has gone about 34 times in the last 36 years. That is impressive. He talks about how things have changed at the show over the last 30+ years. This year he mentioned that during the 70's each manufacturer would put on a show at thier display. A show with music, some times live music, dancing girls, very scantily clad women, etc. He said it was much different. He told me about how in the 80's, probably the lowest point for American quality, the cars at the show had bad build quality. Show cars with poor panel fit and orange peel paint.
In the decade that I have been going to the Chicago Autoshow I have seen some real changes. They still have beautiful women standing by the cars, not as scantily clad, but they do wear tight fitting clothes. They also have male models at the cars. Thankfully, not scantily clad. The quality of the cars is always good. What I have seen is the effect of the economy on all car companies.
The first few times I went, both sides of the convention hall were filled, packed, with cars. Now, not so much. There is more space between cars , within displays, and the entire hall is not packed with cars. This year there was no Pontiac, Saab, Hummer (good riddens to bad rubish), and Saturn. No Porsche last year. This year there was only a Porsche dealer with three cars. The car companies that are there put much fewer cars on display. BMW or Audi might have put out 20 cars for each, now only a dozen or less. Ford had probably the biggest display, in terms of cars and area, but still seemed like less than in years past.
A number of years back there were flashy displays. Jeep had a waterfall that would spell phrases out. Jeep setup an off-road like driving area. The off-road simulation driving area is still there, but smaller and with no scenery, just some ramps, etc. Dodge had a little indoor driving area, that is now gone. A lot of the flash is gone. It is understandable, with how much the industry has suffered. Mostly by thier own hand. After Dodge and GM get gov't money, and then go out and put on big flashy displays, we the public might wonder what the hell is going on. Even without them putting on big flashy displays we still wonder what the hell is going on.
Hopefully, someday, the autoshow goes back to more cars and a little more flash. It would be nice to see the auto industry turn around and have something to celebrate. As long as there is a Chicago Autoshow, I will continue to go every year. Even if there are less cars and less flash, it is still a day I get to spend with my dad and talk about cars, and that is the best part of the whole thing.
I put five pictures of my favorite cars. As always the Porsche 911 (Carrera 4S Cabriolet). 2010 Mustang GT500, BMW M3, Nissan GT-R, and the Lexus LFA.
Porsche 911- the car I have always wanted since I first saw one when I was in elementary school. The car is a piece of engineering art work and you can drive it everyday. (right around 125,000, for the 4S Cabrio)
Mustang GT500 - Ford does it right. The Mustang looks sweet and it is 100% America horsepower. Also, for what you get it is inexpensive (under 50,000)
BMW M3 - Not even sure what to say. Beautiful car, amazing engine, amazing everything (under 60,000)
Nissan GT-R - Japan finally sends a supercar to the US at reasonable price (under 90,000).
Lexus LFA - A true Japanese supercar, only 500 are going to be built. V-10, all carbon fiber, and each one optioned to the owners request. Price somewhere in the 100s of thousands of dollars. Amazing piece of technology.
Yes, I know they are all expensive, but you got to have dreams
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