The First Los Angeles Auto Show: The year was 1907, and the local horseless carriage enthusiasts decided to display 99 of the finest examples of such down at Morley’s Ice Skating Rink in central Los Angeles. Fast forward 104 years, and the LA Auto Show, held each November at the LA Convention Center, is one of the premier automotive events on the planet, serving as a launching pad of both full production model vehicles and high minded concept cars alike.
The LA Auto Show is part standard auto show, part science and technology expo, and part museum. From debuting the latest high speed super car to a display of the latest bit of interactive on board communication technology, the LA Auto Show has something of interest for anyone possessing the slightest bit of curiosity about the way the world works, and where we are heading.
The people at the LA Auto Show (both the organizers and presenters) understand that automotive culture is deeply ingrained and intertwined with American culture, not to mention our industry and politics. This is what makes the show so interesting. Not only is it about debuts of new car models, but it is about debuts of new ideas.
One such example is the California Design Challenge. Each year as part of the LA Auto Show the California Design Challenge committee picks a theme, and then design studios (corporate, academic, and solo) design a vehicle based on the theme. Past themes have included Sustainable body construction, light weight construction, livability, and other challenging ideas around which to design the automobile of the future. These complete designs, some of them with an accompaniing concept vehicle, some only drawings and or miniatures, are displayed as a part of the larger event.
Los Angeles is a quick drive westward from the Phoenix Valley area down Interstate 10. One can make a very long weekend out of it, stop by Joshua Tree, see the sights and sounds of Santa Monica and Venice Beach, take a motorized stroll down Mulholland Drive, in addition to catching the actual auto show of course.
Phoenix Valley auto enthusiasts should also plan on attending the Phoenix Arizona International Auto Show to learn about the most recent concepts and innovations coming out of the world wide automotive industry, taking place at the Phoenix Arizona Convention center over Thanksgiving weekend.
