10 Best Tour across America
by Rick Smith
Car and Driver recently voted for the 10 best vehicles under $59,000. The winners are touring malls throughout the United States in the next few months (Schedule below).
The first mall outside of the Detroit area to host this tour was the Northbrook Mall in Northbrook, Illinois. Although there are ten cars in the 10 best, only 5 of them are on the tour. Reviews OnLine visited the mall on April 9th, 1999. Here are pictures of the cars and other related items.
View of cars from upper level of Northbrook Mall
Main display showing pictures of the 5 cars on tour This display showed pictures of the 10 cars that one and had an interactive touch screen, powered by a PC tower, displayed electronic pictures of the cars. The other side of the display showed the 5 cars not on tour.
Chrysler kiosk
Chrysler had a kiosk which helped people get further information about each of their brands. It was also a touch screen device and allowed you to find cars several different ways (price, lifestyle, etc.). It worked very well and even included exciting video clips of the cars "in action".
Screen shot from kiosk showing Chrysler, Plymouth, Jeep and Dodge brands.
Chrysler 300M Sedan
This vehicle was completely designed on a computer. See 1999 NDES Show - Automotive Technology article.
Chrysler 300M fender badge
The name comes from the Chrysler 300 series from the fifties and sixties, the last model was a 300L, so this is the 300M, thirty four years later.
Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
One option particularly interesting on this vehicle was the "heads up" display.
Chevrolet Corvette insignia
Dodge Intrepid Sedan
This vehicle was the first vehicle to be designed, assembled and "tested" in a completely digital environment (all the way back in 1993).
BMW 328i Sedan
In addition to its unique BMW Head Protection System, other available features are an integrated GPS navigation system and rain sensing wipers.
Honda Accord Sedan
Honda VTEC engine compartment
Even though Car and Driver didn't bring the other 5 cars, this tour is definitely worth a trip, if you are near one of these shopping centers.
The proposed (subject to change) event schedule is:
| City |
Mall Name |
Scheduled Date |
| Atlanta, Georgia |
Northpoint Mall |
June 11-13, 1999 |
| Boston, Massachusetts |
Natick Mall |
May 14-16, 1999 |
| Chicago, Illinois |
Northbrook Court |
April 9-11, 1999 |
| Cleveland, Ohio |
Beachwood Place |
May 28-30, 1999 |
| Dallas, Texas |
North Park Center |
Jun 11-13, 1999 |
| Denver, Colorado |
Park Meadows Mall |
May 28-30, 1999 |
| Detroit, Michigan |
The Somerset Collection |
April 9-18, 1999 |
| Houston, Texas |
The Woodlands Mall |
June 4-6, 1999 |
| Los Angeles, California |
Brea Mall
Fashion Square |
May 14-16, 1999
May 21-23, 1999 |
| Miami, Florida |
Town Center at Boca Raton |
June 18-21, 1999 |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Southdate Center |
April 23-25, 1999 |
| New York/North New Jersey |
The Mall at Short Hills
Roosevelt Field Mall |
May 21-23, 1999
May 7-9, 1999 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Plaza at King of Prussia |
April 30-May 2, 1999 |
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
South Hills Village |
April 23-25, 1999 |
| San Francisco, California |
Valley Fair Mall |
May 7-9, 1999 |
| Seattle, Washington |
Alderwood Mall |
April 30- May 2, 1999 |
| St. Louis, Missouri |
Plaza Frontenac |
June 18-20, 1999 |
| Washington, D.C. |
Tysons Galleria |
June 4-6, 1999 |
Dated: April 9, 1999
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