Exotic Car Show in Celebration FL : Tons-o-pics + Commentary
 

This is a copy-n-paste repost of something I wrote for a different board. I don't think there's any cross-pollenation, so hopefully y'all don't mind.

I've missed it the last couple years, but not this time! Every year there is a huge exotic show in Celebration to benefit the Make A Wish foundation. Here are some of my pictures and comments from this year's show.

Walking in, it's obvious at a glance that this is largely a Ferrari show. That's okay, especially when they lead off with a row of Ferrari supercar history. Yes, that's a GTO, an F40, F50, and Enzo in a nice neat row. Awesome start!
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4854.jpg

Birds of a feather, eh? Of course, everyone with similar cars parked with their comrades. Here is (one of) a row of front engine Ferraris. Super nice cars, 12 cylinder engines, but they don't seem to get as much respect as the mid-engine (and often lesser) cars. I likes 'em. :)
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4859.jpg

I wasn't able to get a nice wide shot, but there were about a dozen Testarossas parked in a row. Overall, this is my favorite Ferrari. We arrived a little early and they were still pulling in and parking. The sound was incredible. Nothing sounds like that Flat 12.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4861.jpg

I like it when these shows feature old race cars. This was an outstanding example.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4867.jpg

This is the 3rd show I've seen with this FXX and it's always roped off. This was the only car at the whole show that we couldn't get close and peek in.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4864.jpg

Moving on down the street, we get away from Ferrari-land long enough to spot this Ultima GTR. It used to bill itself as the fastest production car in the world.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4870.jpg

Proving that quantity can have a quality all its own, a row of at least a dozen DeLorean DMC12s. It was quite different. Instead of people with detailing spray and polishing pads, these owners were applying god-knows-what with (what looked like) green scrubby pads, cleaning their stainless steel. I'm not a fan of this car, but it was a pretty cool display.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4881.jpg

We have now wandered over to Lotus Land, home of an impressive row of Esprits. I truly love the lines on this car. It's a shame its flaws run so deep as to make it impractical (IMO) to own and enjoy.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4882.jpg

Mmmmmmm, Europa. Excuse me while I drool.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4890.jpg

You know you're at a high-end car show when there's an S7 sitting unattended, and no one is paying it any attention. Personally, I never saw the attraction. Visually, it's an overstyled mess, but I include it because I know there are lots of fans.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4896.jpg

Heading on over to Lamborghini territory, a classic pose from a classic car. Think there was some Star Wars influence on this design?
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4907.jpg

There was a large and varied selection of Panteras also. I really favor the older ones, before they added the big wing. This is the car that really gave me the mid-engine fever back in the 70's.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4913.jpg

Lamborghini Diablo VT. Look up "Bad-Ass" in the dictionary, there's a picture of this car.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4920.jpg

Modern art. I have got to score a ride in one of these someday.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4924.jpg

The nicest surprise of the day -- 7 NSXs! It was nice to meet some other owners who I previously only knew as screen names on the internet. Next year I am going to try to get over for the whole day and put my car in line with them.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4935.jpg

There were a few old American muscle cars in attendance. Most fairly unremarkable since I go to old muscle car shows many times a year, but this one stood out. This particular Shelby has the optional Paxton supercharger installed making it a rare beast indeed. I'm no expert, but this car was probably as rare as anything else at the show.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4942.jpg

Here are a couple fine examples of the later Pantera with the big-ass wing, flares, and tires so wide they span 2 zip codes.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4949.jpg

In the OMGWTFBBQ department, here is a track rat F355 that is ... distinctive in its appearance. I guess that makes it easy for your friends, family & fans to spot you on track.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4957.jpg

So sexy. Someday I will have one of these.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4961.jpg

I'm including this picture because despite my having attended a hundred car shows in the last few year, this is the very first one of these I've ever seen. This is a BMW Z1.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4981.jpg

There was a huge row of F360 and F430 but they got no love or attention. It's a shame because by all accounts they are terrific cars, but Ferrari just doesn't quite capture the imagination with them as did their older designs.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4991.jpg

It's becoming a tradition for me to include a picture of my poor car parked out on the street outside these shows, so here it is for this year. I really want to get more active in this scene. The people are all really nice and the entry fees frequently go to charities and other good causes. Well, not this year but maybe next...
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4993.jpg

That's it for this show. The only real disappointment was the absence of the Bugatti Veyron. There were 2 of them last year, so I was hoping. That is the only supercar I can think of that I've never seen in the flesh. Some day!

All the rest of the pictures and larger sizes are in my gallery here.

I think my favorite modern Ferrari is either the 575 or the 430. I think it was the 456 that Ferrari made seven station wagons out of. Might actually be the best looking Ferrari I've ever seen in the modern era.

I must disagree with you on the Lotus Esprit comment. That car is still super sexy, though I'm not sure if I like the V8 or 4-cylinder car better. The 4-cyl car was intense, though the V8 car is infinitely more refined. I've driven the V8 car, and I liked it. No, I wouldn't use it for a daily driver, but it's a real hoot to drive.

Thanks for putting all those photos together.

The classic green racer is my favourite. :thumbsup:

Wow! Very nice post, and glad to hear that you were able to see these wonderful performance cars in person. :thumbsup:

I personally love that you featured the Cizeta Pantera, one of the most awesome forgotten supercar in history.

I bookmarked your gallery. :D

P.S.
Aughhhh...gurgle...:o

Wow, nice show ...and for a very good cause. Thanks for posting the pics.

Hardly needs a thought from me, my favorite is the 275 GTB. Back when I was shopping for a car and ended up with my '67 XKE, I looked at a '67 275 GTB in very good condition; at the time market price was under $15,000 but I couldn't afford it. At that same time I also test drove a couple of Lotus Europas, great handling of course, I always like the black and gold John Player specials ...but I just couldn't fit into that car and my feet have no room to play with the pedals.

http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/d...2/IMG_4942.jpg

Beautiful, just beautiful. Awesome pictures man, thanks for posting them.