Beyond the Debuts: Other Things To Do & See At The 2018 LA Auto Show
Sure, we know you go to the LA Auto Show to look at the shiny new cars. Perhaps you’re looking to buy one, or maybe you’d just like to catch a glimpse of the latest and greatest before everyone else. But, beyond the 1000 new cars on display there’s a bit more to see at LAAS.
From celebrity owned custom cars, to joyrides and even pet adoptions, here’s a rundown of the many things to see and do at the 2018 LA Auto Show.
“The Garage”
Tuner & Custom cars, toys and aftermarket accessories – you’ll find them all in “The Garage”.
Custom Cars
While Detroit may be the epicenter of the automotive universe (at least in the U.S.A), Los Angeles is the center of automotive customization. From the rise of the Hot Rod to the vibe of the low and slow’ LA Lowrider scene, if there’s an automotive trend out there, chances are it originated in Southern California. Where better to celebrate that spirit of car culture than at the LA Auto Show?
“The Garage” Photo: LAAS
Custom Shelby Mustang; Photo: LAAS
American Fastbacks Customized Wrangler ; Photo LAAS
Today, California continues to influence the automotive world. Although the scene has evolved from chopped Mercs and bagged Impalas to promoting Electric & Hydrogen powered vehicles, the spirit of ‘making it your own’ is still alive and well. What better way to bridge that generation gap than a dropped / customized BMW i8?
Modified BMW i8; Photo LAAS
West Coast Customs
For their inaugural appearance at LAAS, West Coast Customs is showing off a super-clean restomod Porsche 356 built on a 2008 Porsche Cayman platform. You’d never know there’s a Cayman hiding under that skin.
WCC Restomode Porsche 356; Photo LAAS
Custom Jeep Wrangler owned by Alex Rodriguez on Display at WWC.
Galpin’s Hall of Customs
If you know your Ford history, then you likely know all about Galpin Motors. Besides being the first Shelby dealer in California, Galpin Motors has been ‘Galpinizing’ cars since the 1950s.
Galpin Ford
While they started out modifying, building and racing custom Fords, Galpin has evolved into a full-on customization shop, building cars not only for customers, but also for Hollywood, as well as creating their own ‘Galpin Fisker Ford Mustang Rocket’.
Galpin’s Hall of Customs; Photo: Galpin Motors via Twitter @galpinmotors
If you’re into custom and high performance vehicles, Galpin has assembled a fairly diverse group that includes Salomondrin’s Modified Ford Raptor S, Ken Block’s customized RS200, a Singer Porsche and the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera – just to name a few. We’re sure this will be a popular area to visit at LAAS.
Here’s the Salomondrin’s Modified Ford Raptor in what looks like a screen shot from GTA 5:
Photo: LAAS
Drool..
Ken Block’s Custom RS2000
Two totally different cat’s
Photo: LAAS
See more Garage photos on the LAAS site.
Interactive Experiences
Amazon Gaming Lounge (Concourse Foyer)
If you can’t wait for the third season of Amazon’s The Grand Tour, or simply want to live the life of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, you might want to check out the upcoming Grand Tour Game here at the LA Auto Show.
Want to be the first on your block to try the new Grand Tour game (coming soon to Xbox One & PlayStation), or take selfies with a real-life Porsche 918 Spyder? Just stop by the Amazon Gaming Lounge.
Jaguar VR Racing (South Hall)
Ever want to know what it feels like to race a Jaguar!? Well, unless you’re among the few who practice really hard and earn a spot on a Jaguar racing team, you won’t. Thankfully, for the rest of us there’s Virtual Reality.
Hyundai Racing Challenge (South Hall Atrium)
Good at racing games? You might want to stop by the Hyundai Racing Challenge. There, players (18+) can complete for a spot in one of two daily tournaments and a chance to win an Xbox One.
Hyundai Racing Challenger; Photo LAAS
Pet Charities
Subaru & Best Friend Animal Society
If you’re familiar with Subarus ‘Love Promise’ then you might know all about ‘Subaru Loves Pets’. If not you might take a moment and check out the ‘Subaru Loves Pets‘ website. Go ahead, we’ll wait…
More than just creating a nice commercial slogan and webpage, Subaru is putting their money (and hopefully some of yours) where their mouth is. Teaming up with the Best Friends Animal Society, Subaru will be hosting an adoption event where show attendees will be able interact with adoptable dogs. Come for a BRZ, leave with a dog instead.
If for some reason you can’t or don’t wish to adopt a dog, you can contribute to the Best Friends Animal Society’s work in Los Angeles by making a donation and/or by assembling a rope toy to donate to shelter.
Subaru Loves Pets! Photo: Subaru usa media
Pet adoption schedule:
Saturday, Dec. 1, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday, Dec. 2, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday, Dec. 8, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday, Dec. 9, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Mitsubishi & The Asher House
By now, you might be thinking the LA Auto Show is starting to go to the dogs. You’re right, but in this case it’s a good thing.
Lee Asher started the Asher house with the intent of rescuing homeless dogs from shelters by educating the public about the misconceptions surrounding shelter dogs. Everyday, good dogs have to be euthanized simply because of a lack of space and money to support them in shelters.
As part of its “Drive your Ambition” initiative, Mitsubishi donated a new Eclipse Cross to Asher and his team, who use it to tote their own rescue dogs to various events throughout America.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross; Lee Asher & his ‘Pack’
Lee Asher and his ‘pack’ will be on hand at the Mitsubishi booth Friday December 7th, so stop by and meet them. If you can’t, you can still read about Lee and his cause here. Don’t forget to make a donation.
DoVE Project
It’s one of those things you don’t like to read or hear about. In some areas of the world the dog-meat trade is still a thing… a legally sanctioned thing.
Dogs of Violence Exposed is a non-profit organization that hopes to put an end to the dog-meat industry through rescue efforts, advocacy and education. You can visit DoVE at LAAS Dec. 1-2 & Dec. 8-9 or online anytime https://www.dove-project.org/
Other Things to See..
Transformers Bumblebee
It makes sense that, with his first solo movie set to debut, Bumblebee would be out making the show rounds. Think, “Maybe I can score an autograph.” Probably not. This is actually a full-size model. But hey, one can dream! You can find Bumblebee in the Turo booth. Wonder if he’ll be renting himself out on Turo if the film bombs?
Bullitt Mustang
See the 1968 Highland Green Mustang driven by Steve McQueen on display in the Ford booth, alongside the recently unveiled 2019 Bullitt. Even if you’ve never seen the movie, you still know the car.
Unveiling of the recently resurfaced original movie car at NAIAS:
Test Drives & Ride Alongs
Toyota Thrill Ride (Ride Along)
Toyota Media:
Your virtual imagination can also become a thrilling reality with the Toyota Thrill Ride. Brace yourself for an exhilarating experience as Toyota takes over Chick Hearn Court (in the middle of LA LIVE! and Staples Center) for four days and nights of professional driver-led excitement. Consumers can choose to ride in the Corolla Hatchback, C-HR or 86 as a driver accelerates, reverses, donuts and slaloms in the heart of Downtown LA. Toyota Thrill Ride is available to the public Thursday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Dec. 2.
BYTON M-Byte (Ride Along)
More than building a car, EV-startup BYTON aims to create what they call “the ultimate smart device”. If you’ve never heard of BYTON, it’s because they have been stealthily developing their first production vehicle, a mid-size SUV called the M-Byte.
Unlike most concepts and pre-production cars at the show, the BYTON M-Byte won’t be spinning on a turntable, safe behind a rope. LAAS show-goers will be able to take a spin (as a passenger) in the M-Byte.
It’s not often you get to touch a concept car (let alone catch a ride), especially one like this.
Hopefully, this one travels to NYC in April for the 2019 Auto Show.
Polaris Slingshot (Ride Along)
Sorry, you can’t drive this one either… but you can “experience the ride of your life” while a ‘seasoned professional’ drives (& drifts) you through a closed road course.
Sounds like this ride alone is worth the price of admission..
Cars You CAN Drive:
Unlike many new car shows, the LA Auto Show offers attendees lots of opportunities to actually get behind the wheel to experience a select group of vehicles for themselves. Sure there are no supercars on the list, but if you’re looking to buy your next set of wheels, this is a good way to test drive a slew of cars in one place instead of traveling to multiple dealerships.
Here’s a list of the manufacturers’ vehicles that you can drive at LAAS. Be aware, you must be 18, have a license and pass a breathalyzer test. So if you are planning on having a few beers, do it after the test drives.
Drives are scheduled to take place Nov 30 through Dec 9; 9:00am to 5:30pm. Check the LAAS website for other restrictions.
Acura:
MDX
TLX 2.4L & 3.5L
RDX
RLX
ILX
Alfa Romeo:
Stelvio
Giulia
Buick:
Encore
Enclave
Regal Tour X
Chrysler:
Pacifica (incl. Hybrid)
300
Dodge:
Charger
Challenger
Fiat:
500 Abarth
500x
124 Spider
Ford:
Expedition
F-150
Mustang
Edge
Escape
Focus
Fusion
Ranger SuperCrew Lariat
Ranger SuperCrew XLT
GMC:
Acadia
Canyon
Sierra
Terrain
Yukon
Honda:
Ridgeline
Pilot
Civic
Clarity PHEV
Accord Hybrid
Accord Sedan CR-V
HR-V
Odyssey
Insight
Jeep:
Compass
Cherokee
Grand Cherokee
Wrangler
Kia:
Niro Touring
Forte EX
Soul
Sportage
Stinger
Mazda:
CX-3
CX-5
CX-9
Mazda6
MX-5
MX-5 RF
RAM:
Rebel
1500 Limited
Subaru:
Ascent Touring & Limited
Forester
Crosstrek
Legacy
Outback
Impreza 2.0
WRX Limited
Toyota:
Avalon
Camry
Corolla Hatchback
Highlander
Mirai
Tacoma
If you’re heading out to the LA Auto Show, be sure to check out their site for schedules and show maps, and be sure to let us know how it went!
