Timeshare sales pitch? Condo open house?
Nope.
Chanhassen's AutoMotorPlex monthly (seasonally, anyway) open house.
The AutoMotorPlex is kind of like a group of condos--condos for cars, that is. You've got high-end or vintage cars and not enough space to properly house them? This is the place to go.
Woo! Fancy!
The first Saturday of each month from April-October, AutoMotorPlex hosts a free car show. That means this weekend is your last chance until next spring to see how the other half drives. It's open from 8-11 a.m.
I have to admit I attended this only to entertain Teen 2, who likes what he calls "fancypants cars" or "Kool Kat Kars" (the Ks are all his). Me? Cars are a necessary evil, a dumpster on wheels. I drive a VW Beetle (Gecko green), which is one of the few vehicles that amuses me. High-end cars, like Porsches, Jaguars, and BMWs kind of bore me, to be honest. Teen 2 likes them, so we had a fun outing.
Those are pretty sweet bikes. I have to admit, I didn't expect to see as many vintage cars as I did, and it turns out I really, really like vintage vehicles.
In fact, I lust after a vintage VW minibus. How cute is that??? Come on! It's a dream.
Some cars were displayed outdoors, others were in the owner's garage. The garages were spectacularly clean, and in some cases, clearly have become a home away from home.
If you're really into cars, you can bring the whole family out to your garage to hang out in your spare time.
The balcony behind the cars is fully equipped with TV and furniture for most excellent hanging-out.
I could love a car like this.
I think these electric cars look like sci-fi snowplows.
How fun would it be to go on a Sunday fall colors drive in this little cutie?
Ah well. I doubt I'll ever have the funds for any of these, but it was surprisingly fun to check them out. So--this Saturday, 8-11 a.m., Chanhassen. The weather forecast looks great, and there are worse ways to spend a beautiful fall morning.
Those were some trippy looking cars -- not your usual car show assortment.
The electric cars looked like vehicles out of star wars. And the green one looks like a hammerhead shark.
Looks like a fun outing.
Posted by: kate | September 29, 2011 at 11:57 AM
That looks like fun! It's also reminded me that VW minibuses are getting scarce around here.
Posted by: Carrie#K | September 29, 2011 at 02:03 PM
I have never heard of this place, but my husband would LOVE it. I think I'd even find plenty to photograph there. Thanks for sharing this. Probably can't make it Saturday, but there's always next season.
Posted by: Minnesota Prairie Roots | September 29, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Mark your calendar for April, Audrey! Then remind me to tell you where to get some lunch afterwards. :-)
Posted by: Amy Rea | September 29, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Really, Carrie? Even in CA???
Posted by: Amy Rea | September 29, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Kate, I had no idea some of these cars exist. It did end up being fun.
Posted by: Amy Rea | September 29, 2011 at 03:19 PM
What a great post! My husband has "a lot" of cars. And I have come to appreciate a sweet old car.
Posted by: susan | September 29, 2011 at 06:05 PM
Sweet old cars are a thing of beauty!
Posted by: Amy Rea | September 29, 2011 at 08:31 PM
We had a VW microbus back in the 70s like that one -- sliding windows in the doors, safari windows in the front, sunroof on top. Tragically, it went up in flames in a garage fire. Silly little South Minneapolis arsonists...
Posted by: kmkat | October 01, 2011 at 03:43 PM
Yikes, Kat! How awful.
Posted by: Amy Rea | October 01, 2011 at 05:48 PM