I’ll never forget the day I caught a ride with my boss to a public appearance. (It happened years ago—prior to getting married and having a family.) He was married, the father of two young children, and had just bought a shiny new black VW Beetle. (You know, the one that barely fits two people, let alone a family of four.) As I squeezed into his new vehicle I was overwhelmed by that new car smell, perhaps, it was the fumes that made me blurt out: “Nice car. But, why would a father of two buy such a small vehicle?” (The fumes, I swear it was the fumes.) He glared at me for a while before answering: “We also have a minivan.” Oh. Needless to say, our drive to the appearance was very quiet.
I share that story with you to illustrate that it’s not a good idea to assume that fatherhood means the end to boyhood dreams of owning a “cool” car. The 2007 Chicago Auto Show rolled into town a few days ago and I’m sure there are many fathers, grandfathers, and mothers cruising around McCormick Place taking a sneak peek at some of the “coolest” cars yet to be released.
The concept cars or “vehicles of the future” often draw the largest crowds at the car show and this year is no exception. The new Chevrolet Camaro convertible won’t hit the streets for another three years, but according to manufacturers, interest in the car has been so incredible they had to “send back checks of people looking to get one.”
Ford is also unveiling its newest innovative features, like a high-tech circular display screen in its Ford Airstream concept vehicle. The company will also reveal their new Interceptor sedan concept, complete with a remote controlled shaker hood, and their concept Lincoln — the MKR.
Not to be outdone by their American counterparts, Asian carmakers are also bringing their concept cars to the show. Kia will unveil its latest design experiment, the Kue, in Chicago—complete with its Star Trek-inspired dash and rotating doors.
Hmm… wonder if my former boss will be there?
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