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Glamour's Women of the Year
UD vs. Northern Kentucky
Magic visits with area students
Car lovers are packing convention center for Dayton Auto Show
The event, which features 182 vehicles from a wide variety of manufacturers, continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
DAYTON — — John Hunt is married with children, but he's had another love for more than three decades.
He had a rendezvous with her at the Dayton Auto Show on Saturday.
Extras
"I came here specifically to see this car," he said, pointing at the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 as he and several others salivated. "My dream car has always been a 1970 Dodger Challenger RT, and I found one in Arizona for $130,000, but I can't afford it."
So Hunt, of Dayton, will shell out a cool $43,000 to purchase the 2008 model as soon as it goes on sale this fall, he said.
Like Hunt, thousands of Miami Valley resident have been packing the Dayton Convention Center since Thursday to get a glimpse at cars of their dreams. This year's show, sponsored by the Dayton Area Automobile Dealers Association, features 182 vehicles from nearly every manufacturer, said Tom Walker, the association's executive director.
The display included several hybrids, flex fuel, concept and custom cars. Walker said this year's collection of cars is one of the better collections the show has featured in recent years.
For visitors such as Kaleena Taley, the auto show is an opportunity to dream a little and sit in cars she can't afford, the Huber Heights resident said while sitting in the driver's seat of a red 2007 BMW convertible. She plans to purchase a Honda later this year.
Another popular attraction Saturday was the 2007 Corvette Z06. Like the Challenger, several car enthusiasts stood around gawking at the vehicle.
"It's gorgeous, but a little pricey," Kettering resident Patrick Witt said of the nearly $70,000 car.
Back at the Dodge Challenger display, Hunt was more like a salesman, telling other admirers about the car's 425 horsepower and Hemi V8 engine. Meanwhile, his daughter, Shaunda, snapped pictures of every angle of the vehicle.
"It feels like you are 16 years old and about to buy your first car again," John Hunt said.
How to go
What: Dayton Auto Show
Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today
Cost: $7 for adults; free for children 13 and younger if accompanied by an adult. Tickets are on sale at the Dayton Convention Center box office and for a $2 discount at area Kroger stores.
