Gear Up Philadelphia - It's Auto Show Time! The 2001 Philadelphia International Auto Show Is Just Around the Bend!

    PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 23 Put the pedal to the metal!  It's
time for the Philadelphia International Auto Show!  Hundreds of concept,
classic, luxury, new production and exotic vehicles will be parked at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center from February 3-11.  This year marks the 100th
anniversary of the auto show in Philadelphia.
    Produced by the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia
(ADA), the 2001 Philadelphia International Auto Show will feature more than
700 vehicles from 35 participating manufacturers.  For the second year in a
row, the ADA will donate one dollar from every ticket sold to The Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia.
    "There's something for everyone at the Philadelphia International Auto
Show," said Chuck Peterson, 2001 auto show chairman.  "This year's show will
serve as Philadelphia's largest new car `showroom,' where consumers can view
all of their vehicle choices under one roof.  The show promises to be one of
the premier events of the year."

    Cars, Cars and More Cars!
    Concept vehicles, built by manufacturers to reflect the innovative design
and styling in the exterior and interior of future vehicles, are always one of
the main highlights at auto shows around the globe.  Several concepts are
making their appearance in Philadelphia this year including the Pontiac
Piranha, Mitsubishi SSU, Cadillac Escalade EXT, Jeep Jeepster, Dodge PowerBox,
Chrysler Citadel and the Chrysler GT Cruiser.  All are sure to excite any
futuristic car buff in the crowd.
    Fans of exotic vehicles are in luck!  For the first time in the recent
history of the Philadelphia International Auto Show, popular hot rods by
Ferrari will be on display.  Algar Ferrari will showcase the 360 Modena Coupe
and the 550 Maranello.  The Lamborghini Diablo 6.0, famous for its 550
horsepower, will be on display (courtesy of F.C. Kerbeck).  This particular
Lamborghini was the very first to roll off the production line in 2001.
    Where can you see the cars the rich and famous drive?  At the Philly Auto
Show!  Several luxury vehicles will be on display including the Rolls Royce
Corniche Convertible, Rolls Royce Silver Seraph Concourse Edition, Bentley
Azure Convertible, Bentley Arnage Red Label and the Bentley Continental R420,
one of 16 built in the country.
    (Rumor has it, a Hummer will be seen climbing the steepest hills and
conquering the toughest terrain at the Philly Auto Show.)
    To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Philadelphia International
Auto Show, several cars of the past will be showcased.  These include the
Packard Super Deluxe Convertible and many more from various Concours
d'Elegance groups, the Corvette Club of Delaware Valley and the Austin Healey
Sports and Touring Club.

    Features and Entertainment
    Show-goers will enjoy special appearances and Q&A sessions from several
all-star celebrities such as Larry Bowa, new manager of the Philadelphia
Phillies.  Bowa appears on Sunday, February 4 at 2 p.m.  NASCAR driver Terry
Labonte will be on hand Tuesday, February 7 at 8 p.m.  WWF tag-team superstars
Kurt Angle and Lita will greet the crowd on Thursday, February 9 at 6 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles standouts Hugh Douglas and Brian Mitchell will join a
panel hosted by legendary Eagles voice, Merrill Reese, on February 10 at
1 p.m.
    Parents will surely want to bring the whole family to Kid's Day on Sunday,
February 11.  On this day, all children age 12 and under are admitted free
when accompanied by an adult.  "Blue" from the popular Nick Jr. show "Blue's
Clues" will be on hand to meet and greet children in the Ford Display from
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. and Warner Bros. characters will appear outside the
Chesterbrook Academy Kids' Corner, courtesy of General Motors.  The
Chesterbrook Academy Kids' Corner will be open daily and is equipped with fun
activities such as miniature pedal cars and video games.
    On Friday evening, February 2 from 7-11:30 p.m., the ADA will host the
Black Tie Tailgate Preview Gala.  For just $100.00 per person, guests can
preview the show before it opens to the public and enjoy food, drink and
entertainment.  All proceeds benefit The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

    About the Show
    For more than a decade, the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater
Philadelphia has supported the extraordinary work of The Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia, one of the finest pediatric hospitals in the nation.  This
support is exhibited through the Association's contribution scheduled to reach
$2.5 million by the year 2005.
    The 2001 Philadelphia International Auto Show hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, and noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays.
Admission is $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for children (7-12), and free for
children six and under.  Senior citizens (62 and over) receive a special
admission price of $5.00 on weekdays only.
    For more information about the 2001 Philadelphia International Auto Show,
visit the show's official Web site at http://www.phillyautoshow.com.  For information
about the Black Tie Tailgate Preview Gala, visit http://www.blacktietailgate.com.