Rolling Out Past and Future at Auto Show
The marriage of Los Angeles-style form and function that drew crowds to a downtown car show Saturday had something old, something new, something borrowed--and lots of things blue.
The old look belonged to a 1930s-like two-seater hot rod that Plymouth plans to start selling next year. The Prowler roadster will be built from parts borrowed from other Chrysler cars.
The new look belonged to this country’s first electric passenger car, a battery-driven coupe that General Motors intends to start selling this fall in Southern California and Arizona. But the EV1 car will come with a hefty price tag and a short driving range--things that left many visitors to the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show unhappy.
Displayed on revolving stages 100 yards apart at the Convention Center, the Prowler and the EV1 are among 1,000 new cars, trucks, minivans and prototype “concept cars” that will be exhibited through next Sunday.
The two-passenger EV1 resembles other electric concept cars shown at annual car shows in the past. Except that four days ago, GM announced that it will actually build it and begin marketing it this year in the Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson areas.
The sticker price will be more than $30,000, however. And the distance it will travel between battery recharges will only be 90 miles on the freeway or 70 miles in the city.
“I wouldn’t buy one. We’ve got to solve the smog situation, but its range and price are the problem,” said John McJunkin, a 49-year-old aircraft worker from Oxnard.
Auto mechanic Mike Johnson, 28, traveled from Rosemead specifically to see the EV1. But he came away disappointed. So did his friend, music producer Geoff Rios, 25, also from Rosemead.
“Would I buy one? Nah,” Johnson said.
Rios agreed. “I just don’t like the way it looks. It’s no girl-getter.”
Those curious about what the EV1 looks like under its hood kept car demonstrator Ronn Jamieson busy. He is chief engineer of propulsion systems for GM’s electric vehicles division. He explained that the car’s battery-recharge time is about 3 1/2 hours with a 220-volt charger--or up to 15 hours with conventional 110-volt house current.
Auto enthusiast Gary Goodwin, a 45-year-old Simi Valley environmental lab owner, said that it will take “a good, honest commitment” from GM to make the car a success--particularly since California has signaled its intention to delay long-planned 1998 emission-free car requirements until 2003.
“It will be interesting to see if GM follows through. . . . I think this will probably be put on the back burner,” said Goodwin--who acknowledged having much more interest in the Prowler roadster a few steps away.
“We’ve been waiting three years for the Prowler. We’ve even talked to our dealer about it,” he said.
Others crowding around the sleek street rod seemed stunned to see it on display. They peppered car demonstrator Annie Bianco of Dallas with questions about its production date (spring of 1997) and cost (around $35,000).
Bianco explained that only about 5,000 Prowlers--all purple--will be built the first year. If its 1930-ish exterior looks vaguely familiar, so will its materials: the Prowler’s engine comes from a Dodge Intrepid, its steering wheel is the same one used in Jeeps, and its transmission, door locks and other mechanical parts are being borrowed from other Chrysler cars.
“It’s the little deuce coupe I never had,” whistled George Fritkin, 56, an electronics company owner from Agoura. “Just don’t put a CD player in it. It needs an 8-track with a ‘Best of the Beach Boys’ tape in it.”
Fledgling car designer Chris Brown, 21, of Fullerton was also an admirer. “It’s real muscular--nose down, back up,” said Brown, who arrived two weeks ago from Ohio to study at the Art Center of Design in Pasadena while he works part time at a Stanton hot rod customizing shop.
The Prowler has plenty of room for customizing, suggested Wayne West, 31, an advertising salesman from West Covina. “But you still have a factory warranty with it and dealer service.”
Not everyone was a fan, however.
“That’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen,” said retired airline worker Doug Bainbridge, 74, of Harbor City. He said he was on the prowl for something else.
“I’m looking for the Cadillacs.”
