Comments on: MotoringFile at the Chicago Auto Show http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16468 Gabe Thu, 10 Feb 2005 08:10:57 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16468 <p>BTW for those that want a sneak peak at the MotoringFile gallery for the 2005 Chicago Auto Show... <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bridger.us/chicago_autoshow_05/">here it is!</a></p> BTW for those that want a sneak peak at the MotoringFile gallery for the 2005 Chicago Auto Show… here it is!

]]> By: Doug http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16467 Doug Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:24:26 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16467 <p>Hey Gabe!</p> <p>Weve sent someone to the ChiAutoShow this year also.</p> <p>If you run into a gal named Jenn, that'd be her... Covering all the press available fun also.</p> <p>Press days are almost the only way to enjoy an auto show such as this or any motorsport event anymore!</p> <p>Enjoy!</p> Hey Gabe!

Weve sent someone to the ChiAutoShow this year also.

If you run into a gal named Jenn, that’d be her… Covering all the press available fun also.

Press days are almost the only way to enjoy an auto show such as this or any motorsport event anymore!

Enjoy!

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16466 Gabe Thu, 10 Feb 2005 03:53:02 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16466 <p>Worst story I have ever (actually heard it today) was from someone at the BMW display at the Miami Auto Show caught a couple who were a bit "happy to see each other" in the back of an X5. </p> Worst story I have ever (actually heard it today) was from someone at the BMW display at the Miami Auto Show caught a couple who were a bit “happy to see each other” in the back of an X5.

]]> By: ChrisW http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16458 ChrisW Thu, 10 Feb 2005 03:50:20 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16458 <p>I read a magazine article once about the pillaging the display cars go through at these public shows. People steal just about everything. Shift knobs, buttons from the dashboard, pieces of trim... As I recall, they once even busted a couple of guys trying to remove the seats from a car! So I understand why they might have reason to keep people away. Sad that our society has come to that.</p> <p>Per the story, New York City was the most brutal to these events, while at the other extreme one of the company reps commented that at the shows in Salt Lake (my home state of Utah), people would actually ask if they can get in the cars, which the rep called "heaven."</p> <p>Also mentioned was the outrageously high costs to the manufacturers to display at the shows due to union labor nonsense. It was an interesting read. Wish I remember where I read it...</p> I read a magazine article once about the pillaging the display cars go through at these public shows. People steal just about everything. Shift knobs, buttons from the dashboard, pieces of trim… As I recall, they once even busted a couple of guys trying to remove the seats from a car! So I understand why they might have reason to keep people away. Sad that our society has come to that.

Per the story, New York City was the most brutal to these events, while at the other extreme one of the company reps commented that at the shows in Salt Lake (my home state of Utah), people would actually ask if they can get in the cars, which the rep called “heaven.”

Also mentioned was the outrageously high costs to the manufacturers to display at the shows due to union labor nonsense. It was an interesting read. Wish I remember where I read it…

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16463 Gabe Thu, 10 Feb 2005 03:24:37 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16463 <p>BTW no luck with the Podcast today. If there's interest out there I may try again.</p> BTW no luck with the Podcast today. If there’s interest out there I may try again.

]]> By: TJKonarski http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16462 TJKonarski Thu, 10 Feb 2005 03:22:45 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16462 <p>I do have an interesting story. During one evening at a charity preview there was a beautiful woman looking stunning in her glamorous evening gown. She decided to sit inside a concept vehicle. Upon trying to exit the car she found herself locked in with the windows up. It would not open no matter what anyone tried! After about 45 minutes under the hot, bright lights she began to become very panicked and claustrophobic (not to mention perspire.) They had to bust a side window of the car to get her out. It was quite the sight, seeing a beautiful woman crawling out of the window of a concept car in her evening gown.</p> I do have an interesting story. During one evening at a charity preview there was a beautiful woman looking stunning in her glamorous evening gown. She decided to sit inside a concept vehicle. Upon trying to exit the car she found herself locked in with the windows up. It would not open no matter what anyone tried! After about 45 minutes under the hot, bright lights she began to become very panicked and claustrophobic (not to mention perspire.) They had to bust a side window of the car to get her out. It was quite the sight, seeing a beautiful woman crawling out of the window of a concept car in her evening gown.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16461 Gabe Thu, 10 Feb 2005 03:03:52 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16461 <p>The press days are amazing. Free food, free wifi, and <strong>every</strong> car is unlocked. I was able to review in detail everything from the M5 the Ferrari F430.</p> <p>In terms of auto shows St. Louis and Indy are fairly small regional shows where Detroit, LA, Chicago, and NYC are the big ones in the US. Chicago is the largest by volume and attendance.</p> The press days are amazing. Free food, free wifi, and every car is unlocked. I was able to review in detail everything from the M5 the Ferrari F430.

In terms of auto shows St. Louis and Indy are fairly small regional shows where Detroit, LA, Chicago, and NYC are the big ones in the US. Chicago is the largest by volume and attendance.

]]> By: TJKonarski http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16460 TJKonarski Thu, 10 Feb 2005 03:00:31 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16460 <p>Yes, you do get more access at the black tie charity preview party, but I don't think it's as much access the people get during press and supplier days, I believe they get more free reign. I've gone four different years to the charity preview in Detroit. Let me tell you, once you attend the black-tie affair you'll never want to attend a regular public day ever again -- You'll be spoiled forever. </p> <p>First off, it's not as crowded so you can move about much easier and best of all... no children running around and no strollers ramming into your legs. You also get to actually sit in the Bentley's, Ferrari's and sometimes a concept car or two -- Rather than just peeking in the windows or standing behind the velvet ropes. There is complimentary champagne and some manufacturers have an open bar serving complimentary beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Also some of the manufacturers put on entertaining shows. For instance, Chrysler had an act that was like Cirque du Soleil (www.cirquedusoleil.com), they dropped out of the ceiling, performing every half hour. Another manufacturer had professional dirt bikers doing balancing tricks on a display. The best is if you can score an invitation to one of the manufacturers private parties. One year I attended a private party sponsored by General Motors. That consisted of a fully stocked open bar, dinner buffet and live entertainment that were singing & dancing. One of my favorite things is seeing all the famous people and the news and television crews.</p> <p>It's a very special, very glamorous evening and attending has a way of making you feel very special and priveleged. If you ever have an opportunity to go I 100% recommend it. And the charity preview is for charity and the proceeds go to good causes. (Last year the charity preview raised more than $7 million in just that evening alone.) Personally, I think that for all you get to see, do, drink and eat, $400 a ticket is worth it -- At least once in a lifetime, anyway.</p> Yes, you do get more access at the black tie charity preview party, but I don’t think it’s as much access the people get during press and supplier days, I believe they get more free reign. I’ve gone four different years to the charity preview in Detroit. Let me tell you, once you attend the black-tie affair you’ll never want to attend a regular public day ever again — You’ll be spoiled forever.

First off, it’s not as crowded so you can move about much easier and best of all… no children running around and no strollers ramming into your legs. You also get to actually sit in the Bentley’s, Ferrari’s and sometimes a concept car or two — Rather than just peeking in the windows or standing behind the velvet ropes. There is complimentary champagne and some manufacturers have an open bar serving complimentary beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Also some of the manufacturers put on entertaining shows. For instance, Chrysler had an act that was like Cirque du Soleil (www.cirquedusoleil.com), they dropped out of the ceiling, performing every half hour. Another manufacturer had professional dirt bikers doing balancing tricks on a display. The best is if you can score an invitation to one of the manufacturers private parties. One year I attended a private party sponsored by General Motors. That consisted of a fully stocked open bar, dinner buffet and live entertainment that were singing & dancing. One of my favorite things is seeing all the famous people and the news and television crews.

It’s a very special, very glamorous evening and attending has a way of making you feel very special and priveleged. If you ever have an opportunity to go I 100% recommend it. And the charity preview is for charity and the proceeds go to good causes. (Last year the charity preview raised more than $7 million in just that evening alone.) Personally, I think that for all you get to see, do, drink and eat, $400 a ticket is worth it — At least once in a lifetime, anyway.

]]> By: Avitor http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16459 Avitor Thu, 10 Feb 2005 02:45:53 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16459 <p>I went to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.adai-inc.org/2005IAS/">Indianapolis</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.saintlouisautoshow.com/">St. Louis</a>, and I plan on attending <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/">Chicago</a> this Saturday. I found Indi to be a little lame, and St. Louis wasn't much better. I'm hoping Chicago will be much better.</p> I went to Indianapolis and St. Louis, and I plan on attending Chicago this Saturday. I found Indi to be a little lame, and St. Louis wasn’t much better. I’m hoping Chicago will be much better.

]]> By: TommyG http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16465 TommyG Wed, 09 Feb 2005 21:56:25 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16465 <p>Gabe - PodCast would be SUPER-DARN-COOL!</p> Gabe – PodCast would be SUPER-DARN-COOL!

]]> By: Mark S. http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16464 Mark S. Wed, 09 Feb 2005 21:54:29 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16464 <p>Sounds like a good time. I haven't been to an auto show in several years, not since I left Los Angeles in 1996. I can only hope that the Milwaukee show at the end of the month is halfway decent.</p> Sounds like a good time. I haven’t been to an auto show in several years, not since I left Los Angeles in 1996. I can only hope that the Milwaukee show at the end of the month is halfway decent.

]]> By: GSKChicago http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16457 GSKChicago Wed, 09 Feb 2005 21:08:26 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16457 <p>ANTS... When the show is open to the public, it's the same here in Chicago. You can't get near the "high-end" cars. But I think Gabe is going to (or at) a "press only" event, etc where they will perhaps be a bit more forgiving, etc. They also have a black-tie, $200 per person charity event the night before the event opens to the public. I'm told you can get a bit more access then too.</p> ANTS… When the show is open to the public, it’s the same here in Chicago. You can’t get near the “high-end” cars. But I think Gabe is going to (or at) a “press only” event, etc where they will perhaps be a bit more forgiving, etc. They also have a black-tie, $200 per person charity event the night before the event opens to the public. I’m told you can get a bit more access then too.

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16456 Vanwall Wed, 09 Feb 2005 21:06:38 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16456 <p>I was at a big show with my Mini buddy Dick Jones, who is handicapped - he had to use crutches - and when we went to the Ford display, the wouldn't even let him get close to a car, let alone sit in it. He was cool about, tho, being a patient man, so when we went to the Mercedes-Benz display, they ASKED him if he wanted to sit in the latest SL500! Well, Mother Jones never raised a foolish child, so Dick was sittin' pretty, ASAP. The MB guys were very cool about the whole thing. What a difference in perspective it was, from those two marques. </p> <p><pre><code> BCNU, Rob in Dago </code></pre></p> I was at a big show with my Mini buddy Dick Jones, who is handicapped – he had to use crutches – and when we went to the Ford display, the wouldn’t even let him get close to a car, let alone sit in it. He was cool about, tho, being a patient man, so when we went to the Mercedes-Benz display, they ASKED him if he wanted to sit in the latest SL500! Well, Mother Jones never raised a foolish child, so Dick was sittin’ pretty, ASAP. The MB guys were very cool about the whole thing. What a difference in perspective it was, from those two marques. 

          BCNU,
        Rob in Dago

]]> By: ANTSMINI http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16455 ANTSMINI Wed, 09 Feb 2005 20:13:08 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16455 <p>At the New York Auto show they wont even let the public get within five feet of the Ferraris.</p> At the New York Auto show they wont even let the public get within five feet of the Ferraris.

]]> By: RB http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16454 RB Wed, 09 Feb 2005 18:41:56 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16454 <p>Have fun. I wish I had had the time to make the LA show.</p> <p>ciao a Enzo per me</p> <p>+++RB</p> Have fun. I wish I had had the time to make the LA show.

ciao a Enzo per me

+++RB

]]> By: jordan http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16453 jordan Wed, 09 Feb 2005 18:37:11 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16453 <p>ive been watching the show stands being built by watching the web cam sat in the uk!! not many people at the media preview </p> ive been watching the show stands being built by watching the web cam sat in the uk!! not many people at the media preview

]]> By: Trevor http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/09/motoringfile_at_the_chicago_auto_show/comment-page-1/#comment-16452 Trevor Wed, 09 Feb 2005 16:53:03 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/02/09/#comment-16452 <p>So excited!</p> So excited!

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