The L.A. Auto Show features hundreds of new cars, some never before seen. But hidden away in the Los Angeles Convention Center basement “garage” are dozens of custom, classic and one-of-a-kind vehicles that are well worth the visit.
The intrepid auto fan will find hot rods, dragsters, custom Mustangs, sleek Stingrays, custom Bentleys, classic Packards and Studebakers, slammed pickup trucks, lifted four by fours, and dozens of other freaky one-off automotive creations.
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The Bollinger Motors B1, an all-electric utility truck, on display outside the 2017 L.A. Auto Show at the L.A. Convention Center.
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Times staff writer Charles Fleming test drives a Acrimoto SRK.
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Entry doors at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show. The event opens to the public Friday.
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Inside the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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The West Hall at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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Ford GT
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Acura NSX GT3 Carbon
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Toyota FT-AC concept
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Subaru Crosstrek
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Mazda Vision Coupe concept
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Nissan Rogue in Star Wars livery
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Tesla Model 3
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Tesla Model 3
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The falcon wing doors on the Tesla Model X.
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Attendees in the Porche area of the auto show.
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Porche Carrera T
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Porche 911
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Porche Panamera Hybrid
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BMW i8 Roadster
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Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
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Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
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Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
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At the Chevrolet booth
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At the Toyota booth
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At the Chevrolet booth
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Sarah Gao poses for a picture beneath a Ford GT.
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Two attendees view a virtual reality movie, “The Future of Tomorrow.”
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Girls’ Pit Stop in the Garage at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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A man walks around the Burning Rubber store area in the Garage at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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The Prestone custom car display in the Garage.
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Custom cars on display in the Garage.
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Lance Chikasawa walks past the Prestone custom car display in the Garage.
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Bicycles on display at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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GMC Sierra all-mountain concept
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The new Kia Sorento
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Kia unveils the 2019 Sorento.
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Honda Clarity
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The Mitsubishi booth
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Jesus Gonzalez details cars in the Galpin Hall of Customs.
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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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Cars on display at the Kia booth.
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A Ford racing driver made out of Lego blocks.
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The Volvo booth
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The Chevrolet Corvette ZR01.
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The Chevrolet Corvette ZR01.
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The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
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The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
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The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Of particular quality is the grand collection presented by Prestone, the automotive products company. You’ll find them flanking the underground garage, stretching from corner to corner on opposing walls of the huge basement facility.
So, go downtown for all the new cars at the show, but don’t miss the buried treasure in the basement garage.
The L.A. Auto Show runs Dec. 1-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Times coverage is at latimes.com/autos.
charles.fleming@latimes.com
@misterfleming
