Luxury cars shine at MGM Grand Detroit

The sedans, convertibles and sports cars gleamed. The women glittered. And everyone took selfies with millions of dollars of metal.

That was the scene Saturday night at the MGM Grand Detroit, where a rare display of two dozen luxury cars helped kick off the North American International Auto Show.

Miss Michigan USA, Rashontea Wawrzyniak of Harper Woods graced the Ferrari exhibit, standing in her tiara in front of two vintage super cars — a 2003 Enzo and a 1985 288 GTO. Worth as much as $4 million, they were the only vehicles off-limits to party goers.

Wawrzyniak, posing for photos with the cars as the backdrop, said she wouldn’t want to drive them.

“I think I’d be scared. They’re fast and more money than I could ever afford,” she said.

The rest of the collection was open to close inspection. Party-goers, many invited by the casino, climbed behind the wheel, checked out the backseats, swept their hands across the shiny paint. Alan Feldman, a Commerce Township physician, got in the driver’s seat of a four-door Bentley with a leather interior the color of caramel.

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“If you like a large, heavy car with lots of power, it’s a great car,” said Feldman, a self-described car junkie who has owned cars made by Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

Murali Guthikonda of Grosse Pointe eyed a Maserati.

“The front end, the design, it’s just so beautiful,” he said. “It’s gorgeous leather … panoramic views. All eyes on on it when you’re in it. … Who doesn’t like an Italian car?”

Equilla Wainwright of Detroit had her photo taken with a Rolls-Royce, which she called gorgeous, but she said she also liked the royal blue Range Rover Sport SVR made by Land Rover, also on display. She said she enjoyed getting so “close to the cars.”

Chris Young of Houston, Texas bought tickets to the event to celebrate his father’s birthday.

They were spotted checking out a Maserati.

“I just drool over it,” said Jan Young of Saginaw, who drives a 12-year-old pickup given to him by his son. “I’m oogling … I’m just amazed at the quality of the high-end cars.”

Steve Zanella, president and CEO of MGM Grand Detroit, said the night was “a great way to kick off the auto show.”

By Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press1:15 a.m. EST January 11, 2015

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