Metro Boulot Dodo Autos

Since the Gala on Monday, things have been pretty relaxed…work, home, sleep.   Metro, boulot, dodo…sounds so much better in French, right?  (I actually like that expression very much, it reminds me not to be complacent and let the days and weeks pass in mindless routine.)  Last night we finally went out, I knew S really wanted to hit the New York International Auto Show  so when I received an invite for a luxury car brand’s preview cocktail party, I figured that would be a great time to see the show, so we walked over to the Javits Center, checked in, and took a tour through the show.  Walking in, the first thing we saw was a flying car!  Which honestly sounds ridiculously cool, but the Terrafugia Transition is more like a small plane with wings that retract in to fold up to make the plane narrow enough for a street.  Right now just a prototype, but they said the expected retail price once production starts up should be under $300k – not a bad price for a plane!

We headed to the party…people were very dressed up, which was cool.  Grabbed a glass of wine, mini-quiche, dumplings, caprese skewers then walked around.  So many mindblowing displays.  Top end sportscars from every luxury manufacturer, so shiny and you could even sit in the vehicles.  We saw a  1934 Edsel Ford Speedster – the restoration is absolutely amazing.  So beautiful, it didn’t even look real.  The instrument panel was the only thing that even remotely gave it away.  Other vintage vehicles we saw were the 1970 Porsche 917K from Steve McQueen’s "Le Mans" – it actually raced in the LeMans that year, but had engine trouble at mile 225 and did not win.  Not that I need to remind anyone, but Steve McQueen was such a badass – he drove the 917K over 225 miles per hour during filming and totally could have raced professionally.  The most expensive car at the show was one of the oldest,  the fifty year old very first Shelby Cobra (valued at around $25 million, but not for sale!)   I love old cars but most of the show focused on really new high end futuristic stuff.

Lots of very nice Lotuses – definitely the best street legal racing type car around lately.  I love Bugattis and they had the newest Veyron Grand Sport with the custom Blanc Noir package…matte white with shiny black detailing – and can go over 250 mph!  Spyker Aileron – under the radar beautiful vehicle with "Back to the Future" type doors. I was really excited that the Dodge Viper is finally back and confirmed to race in this year’s Le Mans! Interestingly, with all the super high end vehicles present, I think the most popular exhibit was actually the new Nissan NYC Cabs. People loved them…getting inside, taking pictures.  I took a peek but didn’t sit, I figure I’ll be spending enough time in them soon enough once they’re rolled out.  Other neat stuff – Mini’s Amphibious Yachtsman "crustacean" vehicle, Fisker Karma electric car (kind of like some from Tesla but way nicer IMO.)  

After we’d seen everything we went back to the party and had more drinks and snacks.  They had this supercute DJ girl who was partnered with an equally adorable fiddler and the music was pretty much awesome.  Okay, after some google searching, it was DJ Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe.  And the instrument is an electric violin.  Ha.  Apparently they are quite well-known and have opened for Janet Jackson at the Louvre, fashion shows, and Chelsea Clinton’s wedding.  I liked it.  We stopped in at 10th Rail on the way home – overall an excellent night!