Las Vegas is for car lovers

By E.C. Gladstone

Even while gas prices threaten change our attitudes, Americans continue to love our cars, and nowhere is that love evident more than here in Las Vegas.

This October 15-18 — for the first time in Vegas — the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction is taking place at Mandalay Bay, offering for display and sale an incredible array of rare vehicles. Check out Carroll Shelby’s first race car, a ’57 Thunderbird, a ’73 Pantera, a rare Porsche from Nicholas Cage, a ’34 Ford owned by Toby Keith, even one of JFK’s Lincoln Continentals. Evel Knievel‘s last Harley will also be auctioned.

An equally impressive selection — truly one of Vegas’ great attractions — is on display at Imperial Palace, where the 250 cars of The Auto Collections span 100 years of automotive history, including some very rare and celebrity-owned vehicles, most of which are also available for sale! As many know, the Strip also has a Lamborghini showroom at Palazzo, and Ferrari-Maserati dealership at Wynn, if you’re in the market (great merch at both places too).

Just want a taste of life in the fast lane on your Las Vegas vacation? Try Rent-A-Vette, or Dream Car Rentals, who can put you in a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche or even more rare rental cars to cruise (slowly) down the Strip.

Already have your own sports car, but nowhere to really open it up? The Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts Midnight Mayhem on select Friday nights through December, where amateur drivers can race their street legal cars on thetrack. Also at the speedway, the Mario Andretti and Jeff Gordon racing schools let you ride in, or actually drive, a NASCAR or BMW formula car. Of course, the Speedway features real competitions too, like the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals this Oct. 30-Nov. 2.

If that’s a little too real, try Fast Lap or Pole Position indoor kart racing, both just off the Strip near the Palms resort, and open late … or the NASCAR cyber speedway (coasters and simulators) and café at the Sahara resort.

Insider tip: Unfortunately, Shelby Automotive’s factory tours and Carroll Shelby museum (6755 Speedway Blvd.) are closed for remodeling in October — but reopen this November.

Related Orbitz resources:

E.C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas, and interviews top
Strip entertainers, restaurateurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes
players for VEGAS Magazine. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when
absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas