Vintage cars from the 2014 Greater Kansas City International Auto Show

When you go to an event like the Greater Kansas City International Show (GKCIAS), you expect to see the latest and greatest new cars, trucks, and SUVs.  What you might not expect to see is a first-rate classic car show.  But if you were in Bartle Hall over the weekend, that’s just what you saw.  Several groups had vintage iron on display, including the Kansas City Automotive Museum (KCAM), the Art of the Car Concours, the Heart of America Corvair Owners Association (HACOA), and the auto show itself.  So if you’re one of those people that says, “they don’t make ‘em like they used to,” there was still something for you at this event.

New cars from the 2014 Greater Kansas City International Auto Show

As you drive around Kansas City on a normal day, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that all new cars are boring.  It’s tough to get excited about silver Corollas and neutral-colored Accords and whatnot.  But when you get under the bright lights of the Greater Kansas City International Auto Show, suddenly you realize that there’s a whole world of interesting new cars out there for sale.  People aren’t necessarily buying the interesting stuff, but they are available if you want them.  Let’s check out a few of the fun new rides from Kansas City.

New car reviews to get us ready for the auto show

The Greater Kansas City Auto Show is taking place in going on in Bartle Hall this weekend.  Naturally, I plan to be there to check out all the latest and greatest.  But to get ready, I thought we’d take a look back at my top ten favorite new cars that I had the opportunity to test drive over the past year or two. I’ve been very fortunate with this blog, because without it, I never would have had the chance to drive a new Cadillac for a week, for example.  As someone who really loves cars, I cannot understate how awesome I think this has been for me.  Just rereading the stories makes me happy.  I hope they make you happy too.

The Kansas City Automotive Museum is one step closer to becoming reality

Most of us enjoy the Christmas season, but if you live in Kansas City and you like looking at old cars, cabin fever can easily set in.  It would sure be nice to have a first-class car museum here in town right about now.  And if the folks with the Kansas City Automotive Museum have their way, that scenario will happen sooner than later.  No, there is no museum yet, but these guys are serious about making it happen.  They’ve been raising money and awareness for the past couple of years, and as it turns out, progress really is being made.

The 2013 Kansas City International Auto Show was the place to shop for a new car or check out the classics

In nearly 30 years of living in Kansas City, I don’t think I have ever missed the Greater Kansas City International Auto Show.  It’s one of the biggest events that Bartle Hall has to offer, which is all right with me.  Anytime you can get big numbers of people interested in cars, I think that’s a good thing.  At least there’s still a spark of passion left.

New cars are in charge at the 2012 Greater Kansas City International Auto Show

I was recently told that the Greater Kansas City International Auto Show is the largest trade show-type event held in Bartle Hall each year. It's nice to know that there are still people out there who are interested enough in cars to pay to look at them.

My boss asked me why I would bother to go take pictures of cars that you see everyday on the road. I guess there's some validity to that question. I mean, they had a grey Toyota Corolla sitting there and various other completely lackluster examples of bland, lifeless commuters. Of course, people buy this stuff for one reason or another, so they've got to be there.

Nebraska Furniture Mart Friends and Family Car Show ambushed by nice weather

When I was heading out to the Nebraska Furniture Mart Friends and Family Car Show under cloudy, threatening skies, who'd a thunk that I'd be nursing my worst sunburn in years just a few hours later? But that's just what happened, as the bright summer sun snuck up behind everyone when they weren't looking.

This is usually a pretty nice show. My friend Doug Hayes, who is responsible for a big chunk of this event, has spent a lot of time around the local stock car tracks, and you can see some of that influence in the way this show is presented. The participant sign-in sheet is exactly like one a driver would use to gain access to the pits, concessions are decidedly speedway-like, and a large portion of the show is dedicated to race cars.

There's still some good stuff at the 2011 Kansas City International Auto Show, depending on where you look

The slogan for the 2011 Kansas City International Auto Show was "The Car is the Star." That might not be particularly original, but it seemed relatively accurate. Because when we were there Saturday morning, Bartle Hall was crammed with people, all waiting for their chance to sit in or photograph their favorite "stars."

The fact is, the auto industry ain't what it used to be. Compare this year's auto show with one from just a few years ago, and there is a decidedly different dynamic. Several manufacturers are just gone--Saturn, Hummer, Pontiac, and Mercury, to name a few. And the ones that remain don't even bother to send last year's concept car for display. Nobody wants to look like they're spending unnecessarily.

When you visit the auto show in Kansas City this weekend, it'll be good, but there was a time when it would have been spectacular

The Kansas City International Auto Show is in Bartle Hall this weekend, and I plan to go there and take a bunch of pictures for you and post them here. And they'll be OK. Lots of clean, shiny cars. Most of them just like the ones that are already out on the roads right now.

Did you know that there have been some 2012 model-year cars and trucks available for better than a month now?

Did you know that Chevrolet's concept car this year during their 100th anniversary at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the biggest show of the year, was a slightly modified new Aveo?