The 2015 North American International Auto Show

I don't think I went to the Auto Show last year because the weather was pretty wonky.  I really would like to make this an annual thing.  While I don't like many of the cars on the roads these days, I do like to look at the concept cars and cars that I don't normally get to see on the road.  For the most part, the Auto Show gives me that but it seems like they've been making less actual concept cars.

 As you head into the Auto Show, there are displays set up along the outside wall of Cobo.  This is one of the cars that they use in the Detroit Grand Prix.  While I think it is cool that they do the Grand Prix, I wish they wouldn't block off that part of Belle Isle for as long as they do. 

 This is a Falcon F7 and is built in Holly, Michigan.  It uses a carbon fiber body and a 1100 Horsepower engine.  Only 12 are made per year.

 A statue of Joe Louis.  He was born in Alabama but his family migrated to Detroit after World War I.  He started boxing in 1932.  He had a record of 66-3-1.  His most famous defeat was when he lost to Max Schmeling in 1936 but he turned around to beat him in 1938.  His career ended when he lost to Rocky Marciano in 1951.

 A bronze casting of the glove used to defeat Max Schmeling.  There is also a sculpture of his fist at the end of Woodward Avenue.

 One of the Smart Cars.  I am not a huge fan of the Smart Car.  The gas version doesn't get much better mileage than my Focus.  It seems like a car of that size would get better gas mileage.  Plus, I think they are ugly.

 An Audi Coupe.

 I think this one is a pretty sharp looking car. 

 A Bentley couple.  At $300,000 per car, I don't think I'll be getting one of these anytime in the near future.

 The interior of the Bentley Sedan.  This is another pretty nice looking car but at almost $400,000, I don't think I'll be getting one of these either.

 It was actually nice to see an actual hood ornament. 

 A BMW Coupe.  I think this is another pretty nice looking car.

 A shot of the badge and distinctive front end.

 If I were going to consider a small foreign car, I would actually consider one of the Minis.  I think they look pretty sharp.

 The Mini Concept Car.  Now this would be one I would consider because it reminds me of an old MG or something like that. 

 The Beetle.

 Probably my favorite foreign car line is Porsche.  I do like the looks of this car but I think it's criminal that there is a four door Porsche.

 The name badge.

 I think a Porsche SUV is even more criminal.

 The concept Prosche Targa. This is the style that made Porsche famous.

 From a slightly lower angle.

 One of the production Porsches.

 The Jaguar nameplate.  With all the shakeup in the Auto Industries in the past few years, I'm not quite sure who owns them.  I know that Ford used to own them but I think they divested back in 2008 or so.

 This is a pretty sharp looking car.  They tout it as a manual but there was no clutch.

 I guess the ability to shift gears kind of counts but I think if they are going to call it a manual there should be a clutch.

 A pretty basic instrument cluster.

 Another Jaguar.  Again, I think this was a pretty sharp looking car.

 This was Toyota's concept car.  It doesn't look like it would be out of place in a Batman movie, but I think that is what they were going for.

 Another concept car.  This one is a one seat car.  I kind of like the idea but I'm not sure about the safety.

 Another variety of a one seater.

 The Scion iQ.  This appears to be the competition for the Smart Car and if the concept is for ugly cars, this one is pretty good competition.  When I sat in one the last time, it seemed pretty cheap.

 The radio seemed like an afterthought.

 Not to say there aren't nice looking Scion cars.

 The new Chrysler 300.

 The Fiat Abarth.  Fiats seem to make pretty sharp looking small cars.

 The Dodge Challenger.  I'm glad that car companies have kept making modern looking classic cars.

 The Charger.

 The Dodge Viper.  If I won the Lotto, this would be one of my considerations for a car.

 A special edition of the Challenger.

 You wont see too many SUV's on this blog, but I do like the Explorer.

 In a way, Henry Ford still signs off on his cars.

 The new Ford Focus.  I kind of like the way that Ford is making each of its cars look like each other.  I think the styling on these are pretty sharp.  It also shows that small cars do not have to be ugly.

 An old Ford GT.  I believe this is a 1966 version that one the LeMans.

 A newer Ford GT.

 From the side.  I think this is a pretty nice looking car.

 The Ford Concept GT.  If I heard correctly, this may end up seeing production in the  next few years.  Now this would be in the running for my Lotto Car.  For some reason, it seems like this and the Viper are the only pure American sports cars.  By that, I mean cars that could give Ferrari or Lambourghini a run for their money.

 The three quarter view.

 And the other side.

 The Shelby GT300.  This is a souped up version of the Mustang.

 One of the more distinctive car brands in the country.

 An older Shelby Mustang.

 A Mazda racer.

 I was hoping to see the Corvette.  This was the closest I got to one.

 The new Camaro.

 The Acura NSX.   Another car that I would consider.

 It was odd to see a plane amongst all the cars, but I think this was part of a display that showed everything that Honda engines power.  Kind of neat.

If you ever wanted a good picture to show you the Auto Show, this one is it.  The later in the day you show up, the more crowded it becomes.  It is a pretty fun but sometimes it is difficult to work around the people there.