New York Auto Show

[RichD]

I saw this Ford GT at the New York Auto Show.

[Fast Co.]

Wow! That's sweet. I saw a solid yellow one down at Amelia Island a few years ago, but the Gulf colors look so "right" for that car. 8-)

[BRS Hobbies]

That is a super cool paint scheme! It look like it belongs on a race track.

Brian

[BIG E]

Rich, thanks for showing everyone those pictures. They look like the same photos I took yesterday while at the show! I always enter the show at the FORD exhibit, and take one last walk through again when I'm on my way out for the day.
Anyone who has read my ravings here knows that I'm a big fan of the entire FORD GT program, right back to it's roots in the early sixties that were based on Eric Broadley's Lola GT racer. Of course, the new FORD GT does belong on the racetrack - it's a race car made for the street, not the usual other way around - complete with $450K+ price tag! The one exhibited at last summer's Barrett-Jackson Northeastern auction at Mohegan Sun casino was absolutely spectacular in it's metallic pearl blue with white stripes paint scheme. I'm looking forward to what FORD will bring this summer, perhaps the same car from the NY Auto Show? We'll see in June... Ernie :>)

[RichD]

The Ford display was close to the main entrance, so that was the first one that I stopped at. The emphasis at the show has shifted more towards trucks and SUVs, a lot of makers have dropped most of their coupes and sedans, even ones that have been popular, because the profit margin is slim with those cars. There were few of next year's models and only a a very small number of concept cars on display, so the Ford GT stuck out for sure. I did take the opportunity to tease one of the Ford reps a little, I asked if the street cars are still only being sold to celebrities. I was told that the total number of street cars will be about 1100, so if you want one you had better get your name on the waiting list right now.

[BIG E]

Rich, did you notice that BMW and Volvo were both absent from the show? I didn't either, until it came up in conversation at one of the information booths. I go to the show now just to see my favorite manufacturer's displays, and the race cars that were being shown to the public. I know you saw all of these, but we did have a nice assortment this year - IndyCar, Formula 1 and Daytona Prototype cars were offered to the crowd, as well as two different examples of the current Formula E electric Grand Prix racers. They'll be racing in Brooklyn, NY again this year on the weekend of July 13-14. I'm hoping to get there for the Sunday race (unfortunately I've got a gig with the band on Long Island Saturday afternoon). And of course there are always a few NASCAR race cars. I said a quick hello to Cup driver Landon Cassell (man, that guy is young!), and wished him luck as he signed a hero card for me to bring home to one of my slot racing buddies (a big NASCAR and Modified fan) to display in his large slot car room back on Long Island.
And... this self admitting chronic T shirt buyer finally gave up at the show specific merchandise counter - I'm not paying $30 for a souvenir T shirt any more, unless it really pushes the right buttons for me to go for that kind of price. I did buy six assorted Cobra and/or FORD themed shirts, both button down and pullover T style from one of the vendors upstairs - for a total of $50! Good quality, brand name shirts - I just spent a few extra minutes perusing the closeout/sale racks to find them. Also, the upstairs vendor area was down about a dozen vendors from the usual count - the entire back row facing the windows on the East River side was totally vacant.
I'm still not a fan of riding the LIRR but that's really the best way for me to go - buy the combination round trip fare/Auto Show admission ticket and just chill out for the ride.
Anyone else go to the show? I'd be interested in hearing some other feedback from our slot car friends. The show runs through Sunday. -- Ernie :>)

[BRS Hobbies]

With most of the auto makers getting away from sedans and coupes, do you guys think we will ever see SUVs in some sort of racing series?

Brian

[RichD]

I was aware that BMW and Volvo would not be at the show because I had checked out the website beforehand. Here are a few racing cars from the show.











Photography at the show is interesting because of the lighting. The front of the building is glass, so there is natural light there. On the main floor there are lots of spot lights that create highlights and many of the cars are located near big screen displays that are always changing and may confuse a camera's auto color temperature adjustment. The lighting in the lower level was often subdued, so a flash was sometimes needed.

I suppose that you can race any sort of vehicle, the question is would anyone pay to watch SUV races?

[arroldn]

I don't want a SUV. My mom just got a new Lexus RS. My daughter bought a Nissan Rogue. Still driving my 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT8.
Maybe I'll get me a Hellcat or Charger RT. Um Jeep SRT and Durango SRT, I think not.

[RichD]

Maybe one of these?

[arroldn]

Well maybe just a R/T I see they have upped the horses to 485. That is 60 more than my current whip. I really don't need 707 horsepower unless I plan to do some track running with it. When I first got my SRT8 and told the wife I'm going to the drag strip she said, "in what not that car." I said I didn't get 425 horses to just drive around town. But I haven't been to the strip now in 5 or 6 years. Must be getting old.

[slothead]

Hopefully, with age comes increased common sense. At a weekend dirt oval track a few years back they used to have spectator races during intermission. Cars would come out 2 at a time and race for one lap around the track. When a sharp new Corvette came out against an older Camaro we thought it would be fun to see what happened. The Corvette immediately pulled away but pressed the issue a bit too much and lost it coming out of turn four and mashed itself against the outside concrete wall strewing fiberglass body parts everywhere. Not a complete loss though, I think the tail light lenses and left rear wheel and tire were okay. I bet the poor guy was having a heck of a lot of fun right up to the instant he felt it getting away from him.

If I ever did something like that with my Mustang my wife would be calling talk shows and writing letters to the local paper to share the story and let everyone know what a dunce she was married to.