I've been a bit absent recently... busy, among other things, editing around a hundred or so shots from the Canadian International Autoshow, which I attended for the first time ever (believe it or not) about a week ago. I'll avoid deluging you with all of them, but in my usual style I'll hand out a few arbitrary and tongue-in-cheek awards.
Nicest presentation
The Lamborghini display. They had their cars up on a low podium, eliminating the need for silly barriers and ropes that get in the way of photography. Here's an LP 640 roadster, staring you down. The white LP 560 roadster at the top of the post was right next to it.
Biggest surprise
A Ferrari 288 GTO, lurking in the exhibitor booths. Ridiculously fast and very rare. My photos of it aren't terribly good, unfortunately. Twin-turbo V8 goodness, from 1984.
Friendliest owner
The guy at the paintball emporium's booth, who let me under the ropes to photograph his Ferrari 360 Spider. Maybe he was feeling relaxed since a Playboy Bunny was doing all the heavy lifting, talking to prospective clients. There she is in the background, at the strange intersection of exotic sportscars, fantasy warfare, and adult entertainment.
Most photogenic
Not the aforementioned bunny, but this Mercedes-McLaren SLR Roadster 722 S. It might also win for "most unwieldy name", although the Ferrari F430 16M Scuderia Spider gives it a run for its money there. Unreasonably pointy and very expensive, with silly doors.
Nicest rims
The Maybach. Just love that logo and the overall shiny goodness of these.
Prettiest Corvette in the historic Corvette display
Hard to choose, but I have to go with this 1953 C1 convertible. Just love those red rims and whitewall tires.
Best use of a hexagonal design element
The Honda FC ("fuel cell") Sport concept car. Extra points for environmental friendliness, but a penalty for not actually having the powerplant installed.
And finally (for now, anyway):
Nicest car that I actually sat in
Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Roadster. I'm not usually a big fan of Merc roadsters, but I think I could just about deal with owning this one.
There you go. Lots more to see in this Flickr set, if, as Mr. Bennett says in Pride and Prejudice, you can bear to.
