DETROIT
-- Back when I lived in Oregon in 2001 or so, I got
invited to drive Chrysler's latest and drove a Jeep
Grand Cherokee in third gear on an awesome off-road
course, all because I was driving a 1993 white Dodge
Shadow at the time. I asked one of the Jeep experts
at the event what the best Jeep is for the logging
roads of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood that a Dodge Shadow
can only dream of. The Rubicon crossed his tongue.
Angelina Jolie rode in one as Lara Croft.
On Wednesday, January
10th, 2006 at the Auto Show as I enjoyed all the prototypes
that may never hit the market, let alone a Cascadian logging
road at 8,000 feet, imagine my surprise when a fellow AmericaJR
writer told me to look up. I was shocked and amazed to see
a candy apple red Rubicon with two like-colored canoes strapped
to its red roof near the top of an artificial rock for rock
climbers and Rubicons. This awesome machine was 25 feet higher
than the cute little prototypes on their 3 foot high pedestals,
protected by cute nylon ropes and power-tripping security
guards, and at a staggering 85 degree angle.
The Rubicon is
for real. An 85 degree angle
might be a bit overstated, but if anything can do it,
it is the one that could. Just don't slow down.
PHOTO
BY MIKE WRATHELL / AMERICAJR.com
The
Dodge Daytona Hemi at the 2007 NAIAS.
As dazzling as
some of the prototypes were, along
with even a few of the market-ready Volvos (hi Nina!),
Mercedes, Mini-Coopers, a beautiful purple Dodge
Daytona Hemi, and a blue Mazda Miata with a retractable
hard-top roof that would even impress Sean Connery, no
display's comparison with the Rubicon's lofty,
precarious perch paled not.
PHOTO
BY MIKE WRATHELL / AMERICAJR.com
The
Mazda Miata at the 2007 NAIAS.
By the way, among
the fanciers eyeing that cool
little blue Mazda were two guys with Toyota emblazoned
on their polo shirts. I asked them how long it would
be before they came out with a car with a retractable
hard-top. 2008? They said by this summer in fine
repartee, never taking their eyes off their sausy
little rival. Devilishly, I told one of the Mazda
reps who found Toyota's bravado quite interesting.
Toyota, the clock is ticking!
Don't Forget,
AmericaJR.com is the ONLY web site in the World with FREE
Tickets to the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Please
register now to win! Another exclusive from AmericaJR.com,
Detroit's #1 Website. The drawing will be held on Saturday,
January 13th...
