LA AUTO SHOW® HOSTS INAUGURAL MPG MOTORING INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY FORZA MOTORSPORT 5 AND XBOX ONE
LOS ANGELES (October 30, 2013) - The Los Angeles Auto Show confirmed today that it will host more than 60 unique, historic and significant vehicles as part of its inaugural MPG Motoring Invitational Presented by Forza Motorsport 5 and Xbox One, on November 20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center's Gilbert Lindsay Plaza. This exclusive morning event will replace the traditional opening keynote and celebrates all aspects of Southern California's car culture, bringing together some of the most interesting automobiles from influential icons, tastemakers, luminaries, collectors and celebrities for Press Day attendees to enjoy.
Cars from prominent collectors such as Barry Meguiar, President of Meguiar's, Inc. and celebrated host of Car Crazy TV, and Corky Coker, President of the Coker Group and star of the highly anticipated reality show "Backroad Gold" will be making an appearance. Meguiar is set to bring his stunning black 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and Coker will display a unique Rat Rod Pickup Truck, with a vintage motorcycle loaded into the bed.
Respected hot rod builders Pete Chapouris, President of SO-CAL Speed Shop, and Robert J. Smith, President of Detroit Street Rods, will showcase Richard Varner's customized 1932 Ford named "SO-CAL/DSR Cabriolet Hiboy Coyote 5.0." Gale Banks, turbocharging pioneer, President and CEO of Gale Banks Engineering and Mike Ryan of Mike Ryan MotorSports will display Ryan's Banks Super-Turbo Pikes Peak Freightliner. In addition, respected Porsche 911 collector and restorer Magnus Walker will be on-site with his slightly modified 1971 Porsche 911T. Having worked in the film, music and fashion industries, Walker has made a name for himself working on both numbers-matching and customized Porsches in Los Angeles.
Auction trendsetter Craig Jackson, who serves as Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, will bring a rare 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster from his personal garage, while international television and automotive design star RJ De Vera will showcase his customized 2013 Ford Mustang. Press day attendees will also see previously featured vehicles from influential enthusiast publications such as DSPORT Magazine, DUB, and Street Trucks, alongside interesting and historic vehicles from automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Subaru and Dodge.
A few of the celebrity-owned cars that will be on-site include famous car guy, film and TV star Tim Allen's 427 COPO 1968 Camaro and comedian and host of the world's most popular podcast, "The Adam Carolla Show," Adam Carolla's 1988 Nissan 300ZX racecar, which once belonged to and was raced by Hollywood icon Paul Newman. Southern California's Petersen Automotive Museum will showcase the late Rita Hayworth's stunning 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Ghia Coupe. Famed "King of Kustomizers" and industry legend George Barris, will also display replicas of his iconic TV creations, The Munster Koach and Batmobile. Eddie Paul, the mastermind that created vehicles for hit movies such as Gone in 60 Seconds, xXx, and Taxi, will proudly display the 1950 Eddie Paul Customized black Mercury that was featured in the hit movie Grease. Representing today's modern customizing mavericks will be Beau Boeckmann, President of Galpin Motors and President of Galpin Auto Sports, who will showcase several creations from the company's eclectic collection.
"We've made a lot of changes to the 2013 Show and we feel the Motoring Invitational is one that recognizes the city's unique car culture and unofficial title as the automotive capital of the world," said Lisa Kaz, president of the LA Auto Show and Connected Car Expo. "We're grateful to the top collectors, celebrities and institutions who will be participating, and with more than 60 incredible vehicles on display, we're sure this will be a memorable celebration that our Press Day attendees will enjoy."
The Motor Press Guild will also unveil two winners of its "Innovation Vehicle of the Year" award at 7:30 a.m. during the Motoring Invitational. Twelve finalists in two categories, under $29,000 and more than $29,000, have been chosen and all MPG journalist and analyst members vote for the winner. Vehicles are evaluated on overall innovation, technology, engineering, safety, environmental impact, price, affordability and value. Some of Los Angeles' most popular gourmet food trucks will be onsite serving popular breakfast bites, along with live music to help kick-off the inaugural event. The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: "PBY") mascots, will also be on hand to greet attendees and mingle amongst the crowd.
Fresh from its debut at SEMA, the custom "MRT Fiesta St Forza 5 Edition" will be on display alongside Xbox One Tour trucks featuring exclusive demos of "Forza Motorsport 5" giving guests the opportunity to play the game days before its release. Members of the Forza team will also be on hand to answer questions.
The 2013 MPG Motoring Invitational Presented by Forza Motorsport 5 and Xbox One and breakfast will be exclusive to Press Day attendees. Media registration for LA Auto Show and Connected Car Expo Press Days can be accessed here. General registration for CCE is also open at this time.
About the Los Angeles Auto Show and Connected Car Expo
Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show is the first major North American auto show of the season each year. Press Days for the 2013 LA Auto Show® will be held on Nov. 20 and 21. The show will be open to the public Nov. 22 - Dec. 1. The Connected Car Expo (CCE) will be the first expo to unite automotive and technology professionals in an effort to increase development and foster relationship-building in the connected car industry, providing attendees with access to the key players and top media constructing the future of the connected car. CCE will debut on Nov. 19, and continue in conjunction with the 2013 LA Auto Show Press Days. The LA Auto Show is endorsed by the Greater L.A. New Car Dealer Association and is operated by ANSA Productions. To receive the latest show news and information, follow LA Auto Show on Twitter at twitter.com/LAAutoShow or via Facebook at facebook.com/LosAngelesAutoShow.
About Forza Motorsport 5
"Forza Motorsport 5" is a cinematic automotive journey starring the world's greatest cars and tracks. Built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox One and the vast power of the cloud, no game better delivers the wide-eyed thrill of racing. The game is available now for pre-order from participating retailers and will launch on November 22, 2013, exclusively with the debut of Xbox One. "Forza Motorsport 5" is published by Microsoft Studios in conjunction with Turn 10 Studios, the creators of the "Forza Motorsport" franchise, which is recognized by Metacritic as the highest rated racing series of the past ten years.
About Xbox
Xbox is Microsoft's premier entertainment brand for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. In living rooms or on the go, Xbox is home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world's largest libraries of movies, TV, music and sports. Your favorite games, TV and entertainment come to life in new ways through the power of Kinect, Xbox SmartGlass and Xbox Live, the world's premier social entertainment network.
About Motor Press Guild (MPG)
The Los Angeles-based Motor Press Guild (MPG) is the largest automotive media association in North America, with more than 800 members. This non-profit trade guild is dedicated to promoting professionalism in automotive journalism through education and information exchange. Members include journalists and analysts from print, broadcast and online outlets as well as public relations representatives, consumer groups and governmental bodies tied to the automotive industry. The organization hosts regular meetings featuring key figureheads in the auto industry and is widely recognized for its annual Dean Batchelor Award program and annual industry MPG Track Day.