The San Francisco Auto Show is rolling at the Moscone Center

The 59^th annual San Francisco Auto show returned this past Saturday, November 19^th through November 27^th at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. Always a bargain to view over 800 vehicles at $10 for adults and children under 12 free.

This year expanded further the emphasis on electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Test drives are offered with thirty vehicles by six different manufacturers including Mercedes and Fiat. Multiple special guests are scheduled throughout the week such as local sports mascots, the Raiderettes, radio and television personality Gary Radnich and more.

The Auto Salon which featured modified cars, trendsetters in an eclectic collection. It is in the south hall on the upper level. The signage needs to be increased, but it’s worth a visit. Yes, there were the broken-axle appearing stanced cars and plenty of lowered sedans, but there are some gems as well. Photography is a bit of a challenge due to the cars being too close together, but it’s a good display.

In a clever move, the displays for the Pacific Region Ferrari Club of America, the Aston Martin Owners Club exhibit and Dominator Street Rods was moved to a section near the South Hall main displays. Although roped off, there was plenty of room to view them.

The Academy of Art University classic car collection featured a 1959 Cadillac “Elvis III” was particularly cool, also in the South Hall. Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, VW, Lincoln with the new Continental and others were in the South Hall.

The North Hall has the less “exotic” makes. Honda had the new Ridgeline is very impressive as a do-everything vehicle. Of course there were plenty of other SUVs and trucks to climb in and around. Chevrolet had the Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Bolt present as well as a Corvette Grand Sport to check out and sit in. For some reason the Ford GT350 was roped off.

Always recommended, if you can suffer the traffic, it’s a great show to attend.  There are plenty of places to eat nearby, parking can be found across the street. Starting at 10am and ending at 5pm each day, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and spend hours enjoying the sights.

Photo album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.948162485288463.1073741887.378354382269279&type=1&l=9269c7a8b2

The 2015 San Francisco International Auto Show review

The 58th annual San Francisco International Auto Show is being held Saturday, November 21st through Sunday, November 29th at the Moscone Center featuring thirty-eight of the major manufacturers in in the world. Skipping Thanksgiving, the show hours go until 9pm except Friday and Saturdays until 10pm. Tickets are a bargain at only $10, and children under 12 are free. Just make sure they respect the cars…

Numerous special attractions are always part of the show such as special interest vehicles and driving simulators. Test drives are available, and although downtown San Francisco is hardly ideal, bumpy city streets and a short stint on the highway can reveal a lot. Ford, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Smart and Toyota all offer test drives, including some electric models. If you're attending or a shopper, be sure to stop by the Myhopscotch.com car buying service booth and enter to win a $1000 cash prize. Changing the car buying experience, they claim a $4480 average savings for their clients.

The Academy of Art Classic Car Collection is always impressive, with excellent examples on display. Be sure to find the Auto Salon, it can be easily missed in the Esplanade Ballroom. Race cars from past and present in Gasoline Alley can have some highlights as well as real duds. The Ferrari Club of America is gracious enough to have cars on display, always an open question of what will be there, past and present models. The classic car collection is a must see for aficionados this year but the Ferrari display is by owners and has no new models.

Some of the featured cars from each make are roped off. The Corvette Z06, the Hellcat Charger, Cadillac CTS-V, Lexus GS-F, Porsche 918 Spyder, Audi R8, and Ford GT350 could not be accessed. There is no Viper or Viper ACR, no Acura NSX, no Ford GT, no Porsche GT3, or any new Ferrari. Bentley and Maserati have limited access areas for good reason because their cars look amazing.

How they manage the crowds and sticky hands from children must be a sight to see. The Japanese automakers seem to all be moving towards taillights that sweep forward into the side body of the car, a trend they really need to move away from, and quickly.

Surprises included a Pagani Huayra, Bugatti Veyron, and the Porsche 918. The race car display should be relocated to the esplanade where the Auto Salon cars are located since they are harder to find and far more interesting. However since many are roped off with hoods closed, repetitive four door sedans and few if any fact sheets, it was rather boring along with limited photo opportunities because of being parked so close together and roped off. The “stance” cars all look like they have broken axles and as for the modified ones, an enthusiast in California would ask how many have actually seen a track or a passing smog certificate? In theory, with 40 awards to be handed out, just nearly every car there can win one. It is a must see, regardless of your opinion of them.

The show is excellent, providing variety for everyone and the $10 entry fee a bargain considering parking will cost more than the entry fee. The spokespersons in attendance are knowledgeable about the cars for the average shopper and if they don’t know an answer, are able to obtain answers when asked. The show appeals to enthusiasts, shoppers and the curious looking for something to do. Be sure to attend the best new car auto show in Northern California.

Picture album, 60 pics! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.732614963509884.1073741869.378354382269279&type=1&l=01c2f43ddc

The 2013 San Francisco Auto Show Review

The 56th annual San Francisco Auto Show starts on Thanksgiving at the Moscone Center downtown. Held Thursday Nov. 28 to Monday Dec. 2, it features cars, SUVs and trucks from 38 major manufacturers, ride and drives, a large alternative fuel and hybrid vehicle display and a large exotic vehicle display.

The North hall is primarily where the domestics are found as well as major import brands such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan. You could call this the practical side. The South hall features the high-end imports, exotics and sports cars along with classics. In the Esplanade there is the Auto Salon featuring modified and customized, old and new, imports and domestics. There are numerous special displays at the show as well as manufacturer ride and drives.

Although not considered one of the main shows in the US, it is the second largest on the West Coast and offers something for everyone. Being at the Moscone Center also means the numerous restaurants and parking garages in the vicinity are used to large crowds from trade shows held throughout the year so services are not lacking.

Highlights of the show include the new Audi A3 sedan and RS7 super sedan, BMW 435i coupe, replacing the 3 series, the i3 and 535d diesel. It was great being able to check out the new Corvette C7 inside and out and see lots of restored pre-war classics, Unfortunately new Dodge Viper as absent.
Others in attendance were Fiat's sedan, Fords vehicle simulator (among others), Jaguar’s F-type convertible and newer curvy, gorgeous coupe, Lexus IS350 F-sport, the new sedan from Maserati called the Ghibli, Mercedes CLA, Porsche Panamera Plug-in Hybrid, a lone Tesla in the corner of the
alternative fuel and hybrid vehicle display. Back to the Auto Salon there is a whole bunch of either really cool or really horribly modified cars.

Be prepared for a lot of walking and photo opportunities. And parents, no little sticky fingers and feet all over the cars interiors please. Be sure to check out this slideshow or the 85 picture slideshow on the San Jose Cars Examiner Facebook page. Enjoy the show!