A co-worker came up to me today, and the first thing he said was the show was really disappointing this year. I thought it was just me, but apparently not.

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Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

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Chevrolet Camaro and Volt Concepts

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While I was there before the show opened, he'd gone yesterday with the throng of last-minute show-goers who were put off by the snow and cold this past week.

But if you went on the last day of the show, you missed the best part: The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept. At least I got to drool over that one.

The Camaro won two consumer “Best of Show” awards – one for “Best Concept Vehicle” and one for “Vehicle I’d Most Like to Have in My Driveway.” Yet this must-see car was conspicuously absent on Sunday.

General Motors pulled the Camaro and the Chevrolet Volt Concept on Saturday night after the show closed because both cars had to be transported to California for previous commitments, according to GM officials.

Interesting. And more than a little disappointing.

My co-worker was disappointed by the lack of Ford trucks on display and the lack of literature in the Toyota truck area.

I was disappointed by the uninspiring displays and lack of hot cars. With the Chicago Auto Show being the largest consumer show in North America, I expected more and better. I remember not too long ago when there were waterfall displays that spelled out words, when there were interactive car displays (turn this wheel and see what happens to the chassis) and when there were more than a few concepts and to-drool-over cars.

Perhaps I’m getting jaded after covering the show for six straight years. But I think most people would agree that being greeted at the entrance of the South Hall by a row of cars and flat displays isn’t anything to get giddy over.

If anyone feels differently or has general comments about the show, I’d love to hear it and share it. Let me know at autoshow@chicagosuntimes.com. I’ll post comments below this notebook entry.

Disappointing show was like a wake or funeral

I am 59 years old and I seldom miss the Chicago Auto Show. I was disappointed with the Auto Show this year for several reasons:

1) I am always amazed that the auto manufacturers send representatives there that fail to know their own products very well at this, the largest auto event of the year. Car manufacturers seem to place GQ-type men and Playboy women there to help sell their products but these pretty faces know very little about the product that they represent. The standard reply is, "That is an excellent question. I will have someone get back to you with an answer so please leave us your name, address, and phone number."

2) Some of the autos had their trunks locked so we could not view the cargo space in them. I would think that the car manufacturers would want the public to sit in and examine every facet of their cars.

3) Toyota only had two Toyota Highlander hybrids available that were up on raised platforms so we could not get a close look at the interiors of them.

4) The auto industry seemed to have just "gone through the motions" when presenting the Auto Show this year. There was only a lukewarm enthusiasm when it came to presenting their vehicles. It definitely showed.

5) The Chicago Auto Show was a shell of it's former self in the way of offerings, the enthusiasm of it's auto representatives, and ability to raise excitement about it's products. The automobile manufacturers need to replace the people in charge of it this year and bring in some new blood and enthusiasm for the next 2008 Chicago Auto Show. I know that the domestic car manufacturers are on the ropes when it comes to selling American cars. This Chicago Auto Show and the enthusiasm it generated was like "a wake or funeral" for the deceased. Maybe it was an appropriate demeanor based on US domestic auto sales but it helps to create a self-fulfilling prophesy. --R.T., Elwood

Accord Prototype 2008 Ugly Duckling winner

I was disappointed with the styling of the 2008 Honda Accord prototype that they had on exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show. It looked like a bloated turtle. It was as if Honda hired a cartoonist from the comic series The Jetsons to draw a futuristic vehicle for them. Instead of being sleek and stylish. It looked like a box turtle as far as it's aerodynamics. I certainly hope they  reconsider this 2008 Honda Accord offering because it will cost them sales. Honda has a fine name in the automotive world for resale value, dependability, and quality. This 2008 Honda Accord is going to be labeled the "2008 Ugly Duckling" contest winner. --R.T., Elwood

The 2007 Chicago Auto Show isn't out the door, and there's already hot news announced for the 2008 show: The production model of the Dodge Challenger will be unveiled here. It's amazing to me that any good news can come on a day when DaimlerChrysler announces 13,000 job cuts over the next three years -- 9,000 of which will be U.S. production workers.

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Dodge Challenger Concept

To add insult to injury: Though the production vehicle will be unveiled in Chicago, it's going to be produced in Canada.

I find it ironic that an all-American car such as the Challenger will be going to our northern neighbors. Guess that explains why only 2,000 of their production workers are getting cut. 

Chrysler went into the "Sebring Says" contest with high hopes. The automaker wanted to gather 1,200 participants at the Chrysler display of the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 9 to break the Guinness World Record for the largest game of "Simon Says."

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Helen Stanislawski of Chicago celebrates as she is declared the winner of the Chrysler "Sebring Says."

In addition to breaking the record, the winner of the game would win, you guessed it, a new Chrysler Sebring.

On a bitter cold morning at 7 a.m., Chyrsler managed to scrape together not quite 100 participants. Ouch. The game took three hours and thousands of commands, but there was a winner, and she did get the car. Helen Stanislawski, 27, of Chicago managed to out concentrate her fellow participants and take home a brand new Sebring.

Looking at the highlights for the contest, I clearly would have been the first one out. See for yourself how you would have fared by viewing the related link at www.chrysler.com/sebringsays/.

Now that I've had time to reflect, I'd like to go back and relate the good, the bad and the downright ugly that I saw coming out of the Chicago Auto Show.

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Lights were dim and the focus was on the flashy Scion emblem as journalists walked into the Grand Ballroom in McCormick Place prior to the Scion press conference on Thursday morning.

The good: 1.3 million square-feet of displays.

The bad: Sore feet after two solid days of attending the show.

The ugly: The parking situation. Really, take public transportation or a cab.

The stupidest news: Ford is turning Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego into Taurus and Sable.

The biggest news: Ford is turning Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego into Taurus and Sable.

The best news: Saturn is instituting a program whereby customers can do test drives at home or the office rather than by going to the dealership.

The hottest new car: The second-generation Scion xB.

The best press conference: Scion.

The funniest press conference: Kia (Leeeet the sun shine in!)

The worst press conference: Volkswagen.

Must-see at the show: Chrysler test track, Scion display.

Coolest unrealistic concept: Ford Airstream.

Coolest most likely to be produced concept: Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept. 

Oh, and watch out for that Corvette hanging from the ceiling.

Last night marked the sixth year I've gone to the auto show's First Look for Charity. Even after two solid days of running around the showroom floor in 2-inch heels and a suit (btw -- not recommended), I still get geeked about dressing up and heading back to the floor in strappy sandals.

I get excited about seeing consumer reaction to the cars after the jaded company of the automotive press. I like looking at the cars for pleasure rather than for the purpose of forming a journalistic opinion. And I really liked the sushi served back by the Chrysler display. For three hours I literally dragged my date around the floor, saying: "Look at this!" Or: "Oh, you've got to see this." I'd grab his hand and pull him from one display to the next. If he wanted to take a break, I'd make a pouty face, grab his hand and pull him to the next display. So much to see, and so little time.

In addition to getting to see the auto show before everyone else in a less crowded environment, the First Look raises more than $2.5 million for 19 charities.

I go to several black tie events each year from balls to casino nights, and this is always my favorite. Last night was no exception. The only thing I didn't like was the parking situation. For some reason, they closed the garage that's connected to McCormick Place via covered heated bridge (and, no, it wasn't full). Then General Motors rented the entire garage connected to the Hyatt for a VIP party.

I would have payed anything to have my car valeted, but no dice. So, we ended up parking in Lot A, which is about a half mile away. Not typically an issue, unless you're wearing 3-inch heels, no stockings and a formal dress. My toes were literally numb by the time we got to the show. The good news, however, was because my feet were numb, I could spend another 3 hours walking around the floor in heels. I usually end up with my shoes off by the end of the night. Not so, last night.

Regardless, next year I'm taking a cab.