If your in slaving away on the worlds longest road-tour and are looking for a break away from the raucous world of 'rawk & roll' and you're in Brisbane - Queensland, Australia - during February or further south in Melbourne in March, I'd recommend you take a look at the International Motor Shows.

All the usual suspects were there with all 'the majors' represented in various guises on some very elaborate stands and exhibitions. From the weird to the wonderful, the range of mouth watering vehicles was auto technology on display.

As you would expect, the Italian stands featuring current models from Ferrari and Maserati were some of the most visited areas of the site. The traditional blood red of 'the prancing horse' brings out the little boy in all of us. I was talking to one of the venue's audio crew. And they said that they were pushing hard to have a recording of the Ferrari Marenello at full revs playing at 100dB but unfortunately it was not given the go ahead...bummer!! With a heritage dating back to the legendry Datsun 240Z, the prototype of the new Nissan "Z" car - due out in 2004 - was making 'rev heads' anxious and reach for their cheque books. This model had all the goods and if the performance can match it's looks it'll be a big hit. Another much anticipated vehicle was the reincarnation of the icon of the swinging sixties - the revolutionary Mini-Minor. In it's current guise the Mini - now owned by BMW - is a long way from the spartan, no frills ascetic of it's processor. The interior - and mechanical specs - is all 'Beemer'. The 'go-cart' wheels have gone, replaced by much bigger alloy numbers but the overall style is definitely retro mini.

This Mitsubishi SRA concept vehicle was one of the more outlandish sets of wheels on offer. Built as a 'life-style' vehicle, a cross between an SRV, a 'people mover' and a station wagon with constant 4WD and e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s 24" wheels, this pod is built for travel. There's even a built in shower nozzle at the back. Have a very careful look at the doors. Notice how they are translucent. There's luggage inside them! On the right hand front dooryou can see the handle as it It detaches as a suitcase!!

Finally the 'local boy' was THE car that the majority had come to see. The new Holden Monaro packed in the crowds. Holden is an Australian subsidiary of General Motors and the Monaro is a revival of a legendary Aussie 1960/70's muscle car.

But it wasn't just the afficitionado's who were drooling over this hi-po muscle car. The biggest collection of General Motors VPs to ever visit Australia were out in the 'land of Aus' to evaluate the car. The delegation included the recently appointed chairman of General Motors North America, Bob Lutz and a team of executives- including no less than four vice presidents from GM North America. "We think the Monaro could easily be the reinvention of the Pontiac GTO, and the Commodore Ute the modern day Chevy El Camino," he said referring to two well known - but discontinued - US General Motors nameplates. "None of this is official, yet, but I'm here to look at opportunities, not look for obstacles." "We want to take the Monaro coupe back with us and put it in Pontiac dealerships across the US," he said in blunt speech, delivered to Australian media on Tuesday, February 19, 2002.
If the Monaro export program gets the green light, it could be on sale in America in as little as two years. With a potential market for the V8 Monaro in the USA "in the range of 20,000 vehicles", according to Mr Lutz.

All in all motor shows are a great day out, especially as they have absolutely nothing to do with the rigours of live production!

To be honest, if you lift the bonnet of a car I know nothing about 'em, but I have fun anyway!!

Have a good one!

Willy T.