We were fortunate enough to have been invited to the preview of the Orange County Auto Show this year by our good friend Michael Caudill. This is Michaels “baby” as he is the spokesperson for the show and we thank him for his gracious invitation. Mr. Caudill is also the president and CEO of Driven Media.

Viewing this years Orange County Auto Show on early Thursday morning was sensational; camera and coffee in hand, no crowds and some great cars. This year’s show was nicely presented, just as always. We still have a difficult time understanding why this is not the premier Auto Show on the west coast, it ought to be, the demographics are certainly right.

Along with the usual displays of current model year cars, there were some fantastic specialty and concept cars as well.

Ford displayed the Shelby GR1, a rather old school Cobra/Daytona looker, as well as the Turbo Diesel/hybrid Reflex; a surprisingly good looking car externally, the interior…well; let us just say it is not our taste.

General motors presented the new Camaro. According to the GM representative at the show, the body design is final and will go into production in the first quarter of 2009, initially in coupe form and then convertible guise as well. The car will be made available with both 6 and 8 cylinder engines and a real transmission option will be offered as well. Great news!

Europe was also well represented, Mercedes-Benz displaying their new C class and a terrific old 300SL that belongs to the company museum. This was the same car that John Fitch had driven to a class victory; nice touch.

Saab brought along their Aero X concept car. Interestingly, the car is sans a windshield “A” pillar, giving the car a very stylish and clean look, the car screams Sweden.

Audi has performed brilliantly in the last few years and the R8 is just magnificent. One can see the racing heritage of the amazing R8 and R10 racecars that it emulates so very well indeed. The car is simply stunning. We have not yet had the good fortune to drive this car just yet, but cannot wait to do so. If it performs anything like it looks, the car will give some of the more recognized exotics a big run for the money and deservingly so; the lines of the car are about as perfect as one could want, they are simply spot-on. This car has presence.

Mazda had a great looking concept car on display as well, the “Kabura”.

Surprising to us, is what we have considered being the star of the show. Chrysler brought out the heavy metal, quite literally, in the Imperial concept car. The car is a massive 4 door sedan, rear doors suicide, neat. The Imperial concept car is stately, well proportioned (for a huge car) and perhaps what Mercedes-Benz should have considered doing with the Maybach. The car has Rolls-Royce like dimensions and looks of absolute opulence. Though a show car, the fit and finished looked surprisingly good and the interior is gorgeous. “If you build it, they will come”.

All in all, a great show and we again want to thank Michael for allowing us the opportunity to view it in comfort.

O.C.C.E

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After being laid up for a while with an ankle injury (long story) and having had just about enough of Gun Smoke re-runs, I started surfing the net to find something interesting to read involving my life’s passion; automobiles and motor sport.I had what I believe to have been, an epiphanie, if you will. Orange County is one of the largest automotive enthusiast markets on the planet. There are great cars, interesting car personalities and so many wonderful “car” things to do here; that while contemplating my naval, I figured, “why not a website where everyone can enjoy this same passion” hence O.C.C.E.I do not profess to be a writer. In fact, without this computer, spelling “writer” would have looked somehow different. Many of you know me and know that I speak the truth here.What I do want to share with all of you, is my enthusiasm for great cars, my experience in the retail car industry and how that may help you, my racing experience and how my teaching high performance driving; may help you to improve your own driving skills.

I do not profess to know everything about anything; I just have a few years of experience under my belt. The old adage of “the more I learn, the less I know” most certainly holds true with me. Righting, sorry, WRITING should be easy. Hell, I have been doing it for nearly 45 years; it isn’t.

So that you might better understand where I came from; I have spent 3 decades in the high-line automotive business as a service advisor, sales person, sales trainer and sales manager. I served as a Concours De’ Elegance judge for nearly 6 years. I am the 2003 SCCA regional class champion (thanks MINI). I teach high performance driving skills to owners of great cars and I am therefore afforded the opportunity to drive really great cars; never having to pay for them…good work if you can get it. Along with my partner Judy Ray of The Driving Concepts Foundation, I get to teach young drivers life saving accident avoidance skills, without question, THE most rewarding thing I have ever done!

I am looking forward to doing this; I hope that it is fun for all of us!

O.C.C.E

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