ChimpersCage

It's been a while since I posted. I hope to be a little more consistent, but you know what they say about the best laid plans... Last week the Chicago Automobile Trade Associations 2012 Chicago Auto Show began at McCormick Place in Chicago. I'm lucky enough to get in on Media Day and get some great pictures. Over the years several of my images from the show have been used in weekly, monthly publications and several books. One of the initial items that drew me to the Chicago Auto Show several years ago were the concept cars. I think everyone has a couple that they really like. I'm no exception. The climate at the show seems to be changing. The number of manufactures showing concepts seems to be shrinking. In the heyday 10 years ago, I remember one manufacture having multiple concept cars on display in any one show. I think the total number of concepts by all manufactures combined this year lists out at around 8 on the Chicago Auto Shows website. Lexus was pr...

In today's economy it really amazes me how little people pay attention to the details that keep one in business. On Thursday, I dropped off my pickup truck at a local tire shop with instructions to do a front end alignment and rotate and balance all the tires. I have to say that when I called for an appointment on Wednesday I was impressed when they said they could get it in the next day. I don't think that had ever happened to me before. When I picked it up on Thursday evening, I paid the bill, just short of $100 and was told that it was good I had come in as the alignment was so far out that it was almost not recordable. Having driven vehicles for 35 years, worked in 3 dealerships and a couple of other automotive oriented establishments, I found that kind of odd because the vehicle was still tracking almost dead on when driving and removing the hands from the wheel for a short time. But, I was happy and in a bit of a hurry so I didn't question it. On Friday, I finally ...