The Tulsa Auto Show at the Expo Center

Thursday, March 15th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Tulsa Auto Show takes place inside the Expo Center at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. The show starts Thursday March 15 and runs through Sunday March 18. The hours are 2-10pm Thursday, 2-10pm on Friday, 1am â€“ 10pm Saturday, and 11am â€“ 6pm Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, and children under 12 are free. Parking is free.

The Auto Show is a chance for car manufacturers to â€œshow their stuffâ€. Itâ€™s also a chance for them to get feedback about concept cars and current designs from their potential customers. Cars like Chryslerâ€™s PT Cruiser were put into production in large part due to feedback from the visitors at Auto Shows.

I went to high school in the late 70â€™s / early 80â€™s. As a typical teenage male, my mind operated in two modes: CAR mode and GIRL mode. Iâ€™m a family guy now, and I drive a decade old, used, wrecked, un-reliable, ugly, economy car. For me, cars have â€œtaken a back seatâ€ to the more important issues that being a father brings about. After visiting the Auto Show today, Heaven help me - Iâ€™m 16 again.

Iâ€™ve been to the Auto Show before, but Iâ€™ve never been so blown away by the design and variety of the machines. As you might guess, SUVâ€™s are everywhere. Some put the emphasis on Sport, some put the emphasis on Utility, and some are just Vehicles. But the amazing thing is the VARIETY. If you canâ€™t find something you want at the auto show, then maybe a four wheeled vehicle isnâ€™t for you. Thatâ€™s cool too, because Indian Motorcycles has an exhibit that will really get your motor running.

Thereâ€™s a novel entitled â€œZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenanceâ€. One of its main themes, was the thorough discussion of the delicate balance between Art and Science â€“ the synergy of Creativity and Technique. Most of the 2001 and 2002 cars have achieved a balance that would make the author drool. Come to think of it, I might have drooled a bit too. But I bet Iâ€™m not alone. A word of warning, when you go to the Auto Show, watch out for slick spots.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the Auto Show