CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' HITS ROAD CARS: THOUSANDS ATTEND OPENING DAY OF L.A. AUTO SHOW.Byline: Gregory J. Wilcox Staff Writer George Elbaum stood first in line for the opening of the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Auto Show An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. on Friday, arriving three hours early. The 66-year-old Toluca Lake man's love affair with cars is so strong, he has been to auto shows across the country, including the big Detroit event, and wanted to see firsthand whether Los Angeles' new early date, the first show of the season, would bring more pop and sizzle siz·zle intr.v. siz·zled, siz·zling, siz·zles 1. To make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat. 2. To seethe with anger or indignation. 3. . "I feel a little green today," said Elbaum, a retired Kodak executive who bought a Ford Mustang For other Ford Mustang models and concepts, see . The Ford Mustang is an automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company, originally based on the Ford Falcon compact.[1] convertible after first seeing it at the show and was window-shopping for something new. "I come to the Auto Show every year and I see all the cars. This is such a huge car market. I think everyone would want to be here." Thousands were there -- some just to look, others with a mind to buy -- and large crowds are expected through its wrap-up Nov. 25. The annual event has taken on new significance with its early start, attracting nearly 1,000 new vehicles from 47 manufacturers. Los Angeles residents Jessie and Angela Townes were comparison-shopping, in a big way. They are going to buy a supercar Supercar is a term used for a high-end sports car, typically an exotic or rare one, whose performance is highly superior to that of its contemporaries. The proper application of the term is subjective and disputed, especially among enthusiasts. . Angela, 48, a Realtor, was interested in a Bentley. But Jesse, her husband, wanted his dream car, an Aston Martin Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury performance cars, whose headquarters are at Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. The company name is derived from the Aston Clinton hill climb and one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin. DB9 Volante. Angela settled into the cockpit of the Aston Martin. Deal sealed. "It's a wonderful car," she said, smiling. "It's the perfect size and styling for me. I could see myself owning it and I love it." Jesse, 53, a trust manager, wants one painted navy blue. "This is the ultimate, to me. You see it in all the James Bond movies and you just want to buy it -- and now I've made some extra money and I'm going to buy it," he said. He learned the car will be available Dec. 5 and vowed that's the day he's heading to a dealership. But not everyone was shopping, or cruising supercar nirvana. Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, resident Andy Goldsmith, friends and family spent the first 90 minutes soaking up all Ford brought to the show this year. Goldsmith settled into the cab of a 2008 Ford Ranger The Ford Ranger name is used on two distinct and unrelated pickup truck lines by the Ford Motor Company
An insurance agent, Goldsmith, 32, is a Ford fan and was impressed. "I like it a lot. I have the four-door version. It's not too big and not too small," he said. "I'm a standard truck owner. I'm always using it to help people move." Goldsmith said he's never had any trouble with the truck and that it's very reliable. So is he ready to buy a new one? "I'm always looking," he hedged. For Steve Loya, a 50-year-old truck driver from Pomona, a visit to the Auto Show is like a trip down memory lane. He's owned five British cars and currently is restoring a 1967 Tiger and a 1958 Austin Healy Bugeye Sprite. So it wasn't surprising to find him loitering Loitering (IPA pronunciation: ['lɔɪtəˌrɪŋ] is an intransitive verb meaning to stand idly, to stop numerous times, or to delay and procrastinate. at the Lotus booth. He even got to climb into a blue Exige S Club Racer with black stripes to sample the cockpit fit. "It's got a little bit more character. And the driver input is a bit more acute," he said. Not everybody is at the show to check out the cars. Janel Hahn, in a red racing-style dress, handed out calendars featuring Al & Ed's Auto Sound products. She said working at the Auto Show is a good way to have some fun and make some money. The Van Nuys-based company offers a wide range of products that can kick a car up a notch or two. And on Friday, guys were eager to chat up Hahn. The 20-year-old Dana Point resident is attending Saddleback College Academics Saddleback College offers a wide range of programs in Advanced Technology and Applied Sciences, including courses in Aviation, Marine Science, Computer Science and Fashion Design. The academics are closely linked to Irvine Valley College, also part of the SOCCCD. in Mission Viejo Mission Vi·e·jo A community of southern California southeast of Irvine. It is mainly residential. Population: 96,300. and scored this gig, which she calls "spokesmodeling," through her agency, International All-Stars Marketing Co. of Corona. This is fun, she said, but school is serious business. "I'm also working on getting a real-estate license. It's a good thing to get under your belt," she said. "It could come in handy Verb 1. come in handy - be useful for a certain purpose be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" some day." greg.wilcox(at)dailynews.com 818-713-3743 WANT TO GO? WHAT: The Los Angeles Auto Show WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center The Los Angeles Convention Center (abbreviated LACC) is a convention center in downtown Los Angeles. The LACC hosts annual events such as the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, and was best known to video games fans as host to E3 until its cessation in 2006. , 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles DATES: Friday through Nov.25 TIMES: Saturdays: 9a.m. to 10p.m. Sundays: 9a.m. to 8p.m. Monday through Wednesday: 11a.m. to 10p.m. Thanksgiving Day: 9a.m. to 8p.m. Nov. 23: 9a.m. to 10p.m. TICKETS: Adults: $10 (cash only) Children 12 and younger: free when accompanied by an adult Seniors (65 and older): $7 Friday through Nov. 22 (cash only) SOURCE: Los Angeles Auto Show CAPTION(S): 4 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) German Santiago, a product specialist for Scion sci·on n. 1. A descendant or heir. 2. also ci·on A detached shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant, used in grafting. , speaks about the cars at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs through Nov. 25. (2) Visitors check out the latest models during the first day Friday of the L.A. Auto Show at the Convention Center. Thousands came -- some just to look, others with a mind to buy. The annual show runs through Nov. 25. (3) Joseph Bakshandeh, 30, of Culver City walks by Ford's shiny 3.0- and 4.6-liter engines at the L.A. Auto Show. The event has taken on new significance with its early start, attracting nearly 1,000 new vehicles from 47 manufacturers. (4) Angela Townes of Los Angeles is all smiles as she sits behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DB9 Volante at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Box: WANT TO GO? (see text) |
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