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By KEVIN WALKER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

TAMPA A key phrase here is "non-selling environment."

The others are "concept cars," "exotic luxury cars," "million-dollar Ferrari display" and "CNN Warrior One Hummer."

The non-selling environment at this weekend's Tampa Bay International Auto Show is key because you can take long, loving looks at 400-plus new car models for 2008, from the Honda Accord and Dodge Grand Caravan to the Infiniti G37 Coupe and the Lexus LS 600h L luxury sedan hybrid.

And you can get those looks without a salesman asking what it would take to get you to buy one today.

The others are key because, let's face it, when are you going to have an opportunity to get this close to a Ferrari or a specially overhauled Hummer worth $1 million? Yeah, we thought so.

Well, you can do it this weekend for $9. Produced by Motor Trend Auto Shows Inc. and sponsored by an array of local businesses (including The Tampa Tribune), the auto show is expected to draw tens of thousands to downtown Tampa.

One of the big draws will be the Warrior One Hummer. The H1 Hummer, used by CNN crews to cover the war in Iraq, was customized by Chip Foose on The Learning Channel show "Overhaulin'" and then sold at auction for $1 million (the money benefited the Fisher House Foundation, a group that aids wounded soldiers). Part of the upgrades included a 7,500-watt stereo system, a DVD player and six LCD video monitors.

"When you see it in person, it's quite stunning," said Shelbi Okumura, a spokesperson for the show. "It's massive inside, and tricked out with all kinds of upgrades."

Concept cars are another crowd-pleaser every year. They're designers' visions of what cars will look like in the future. Among them are the Ford Shelby GR-1 sports car with an aluminum body and V-10 engine and the Suzuki Hip Hop Grand Vitara, which features an interior designed for optimum sound quality.

For those with more luxurious tastes, the show features cars from the duPont Registry's exotic car collection, including a 1929 duPont four-passenger Speedster worth nearly $2 million. There will be Ferraris, as well, each of them worth at least $250,000.

Most of the vehicles on display are 2008 models from virtually every major car manufacturer, including the latest hybrids. Also on hand will be models not yet available at dealerships, including the Ford Flex "crossover" (a sort of station wagon) and Saturn Astra sport compact.

You can't buy a car at the show, but Okumura said "the people there are product specialists who can answer all your questions. Then, if you really see something you want, you can contact a local dealership."

In case you have an extra $250,000 sitting around, Ferrari Maserati of Central Florida is just up the road in Orlando.

Kevin Walker can be reached at kwalker@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7975.

EVENT PREVIEW

Tampa Bay International Auto Show

WHEN: Noon to 10 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa

TICKETS: $9 adults; $4 military, seniors, students with ID and children ages 7-12; children 6 and younger admitted free with a paying adult; tickets can be purchased online at autoshowtampa.com.

DISCOUNTS: $2 discount coupons available at participating Subway restaurants and new car dealerships. On Sunday, all kids 12 and younger will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult

MORE INFO: 1-800-426-5630

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