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Finish line looms for Auto and Truck Show
11th November, 2007
Harry Hedgpeth of Spring Branch came to the 2007 San Antonio Auto & Truck Show on Saturday to see if he could find a small pickup he might like to replace his aging full-size model.
As he looked over the 100,000th Tundra built at Toyota's new San Antonio plant, he said he thought it was "a pretty stout-looking truck."
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So far, though, he hadn't seen just what he was looking for, a truck that gets better fuel economy than his 2000 Chevy Silverado. But he said he was just starting his search.
His wife, Anne, was more interested in the small roadsters she had seen, such as the Mazda Miata.
"I love the little cars," she said.
The couple was among thousands who poured into the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center downtown Saturday for the annual show, which features about 400 new cars, trucks, vans and sport utilities, as well as some outrageous concept vehicles.
Today is the final day for the show. Hours are noon to 7 p.m.
Among the concepts on display is the Ford Interceptor, essentially a four-door version of the Mustang. Although chances are that Ford Motor Co. won't bring the car to production, it did attract lots of attention.
One fan was Simeon Barnes, 8, who said it was his favorite car of the show.
"It's really cool, it has a great engine and neat headrests, and I really like the rims," he said. "I like the name too."
His dad, Victor Barnes, said he enjoyed looking at the car as well but didn't believe it could be a success in today's auto market because of rising gasoline prices.
Powered by a big V-8 engine, the Interceptor's poor fuel economy probably would turn off most buyers, he said.
"But I do love the concept cars, even if they're not practical," he said. "I think this year's show is much better than last year's because there are more concepts."
Max the Robot, part of the Ford exhibit, attracted a crowd for each of his performances, during which he answered questions from the people gathered around him.
"What's your favorite car?" one young visitor asked.
"The Ford Mustang," Max replied in his booming techno-baritone voice.
And when he asked how many in the crowd owned Ford vehicles, he told those who raised their hands:
"You will be spared when robots take over the world."
At the Pontiac display, Blayne Ralston looked on unimpressed as his wife, Sarah, tried out the driver's seat of a bright-yellow Solstice roadster.
"I'd take one if someone gave me one, but I think it's a girly car," he said. "I need a big, manly truck."
But Sarah Ralston was sold on the little two-seater.
"It's very nice, very chic," she said. "And the great thing is that it's affordable for the average woman, even though it's very classy. I'd take one in a minute."
Several of the show visitors said they enjoyed being able to see all of the new vehicles under one roof, without having to drive all over town or deal with sales people.
No sales are allowed at the auto show, and dealership representatives are there only to answer questions.
The show, sponsored by the San Antonio Auto Dealers Association, features vehicles representing 35 manufacturers and 72 local dealers, association President Minda Welch said.
Other concept vehicles include the super-sized Ford Super Chief and Chevrolet Cheyenne pickups.
General Motors Corp. is displaying several historic vehicles from its Arlington plant, including a 1954 Pontiac Star Chief.
Show admission is $8; children 10 and under are admitted free. A $1 discount coupon can be found in the Express-News or printed from the dealers association Web site at saautodealers.com.
Senior citizens and active-duty members of the military will be admitted for $6 (no other discounts will apply to this special rate).
Free parking is available today at Lot B at the Alamodome, and free shuttles will operate between the lot and the convention center.
To use the lot, show visitors need the free-parking coupon from the newspaper or printed from the Web site, Welch said
Release link:
http://www.mysanantonio.com
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