Driving us crazy: the weird things we found at the Detroit auto show

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/14/detroit-auto-show-weird-finds

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Journalists and car enthusiasts from around the world descended upon Detroit for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this week, where some of the world’s most prominent automakers – among them Ford, General Motors, and Toyota – released new designs for their most popular vehicles and previewed the cars of tomorrow.

The vehicles were the main attraction, but there was still plenty at the convention for geeks of all stripes. Scattered among the gleaming trucks, sedans, and sports cars were more than a few weird embellishments, if only you know how to look.

We sent our business reporter Dominic Rushe (@dominicru), who has a keen eye for weirdness, around the NAIAS floor to take photos and videos of all the odd items on display. We also gathered contributions from some of the quirkier auto enthusiasts on Twitter.

Below, we present a small sample of the strange sights at NAIAS

While all of the above items listed here are weird, nothing that follows will even come close to the absurdity and incongruousness of this pregnancy suit.

Of course, no auto show is complete without a place to try on a pregnancy suit. #ANautoshow #NAIAS pic.twitter.com/4vNQzvc4WZ

Someone needs to tell this guy that he’s not at the Consumer Electronics Show.

.@cnnmoneyphotoed getting ready for car of the year. #naias pic.twitter.com/OnnJeGeoWi

The smart folks over at Bentley want you to stay connected in style with this utterly superfluous accessory. This handy feature allows you to post obnoxious status updates about how you’re being chauffeured around in a Bentley.

How the 1% Facebook. #naias #weirdNAIAS Bentley built in iPad keyboard. pic.twitter.com/QNFyCbfoTD

The team from BBC's Top Gear was at the auto show, and have also been on the lookout for strange sights.

#Michelin Man demonstrates immaculate 'leave outside the off stump'. Get that man in the England ODI cricket side... pic.twitter.com/4nunkPngaw

While most carmakers opted for turbocharged, hyperbolic presentations (we’re looking at you, Ford), Mercedes used a more subtle approach to attract interest.

Not far from the soothing tones of the violinist, attendees could also relax near an indoor forest.

Picnic in the winter forest. #naias #weirdNAIAS pic.twitter.com/NsrXWVJkHg

This thing isn't intended to be driven, right?

… right?

This model might be dressed futuristically, but the idea of using pretty women to sell cars isn’t exactly a revolutionary idea. Yet with most of the human beauties on display were wearing a standard uniform of cocktail dresses and stilettos, we’ve got to give props to this one for really committing.

Back to the Future. #naias pic.twitter.com/v1kzStOD3y

In case all the hot rods and pickup trucks aren’t enough to make you feel manly, you can play pool on top of a classic car.

How fast does your pool table go? #FordNAIAS #NAIAS pic.twitter.com/aPaT3uMteA

And yet, not even a driver's paradise is safe from the encroaching grip of the Bicycle Lobby, which has clearly worked its nefarious magic on the US Labor Department:

After checking out #AmericanMade cars at #NAIAS, @LaborSec Perez (a bike guy) tries a @Shinola bike made in Detroit! pic.twitter.com/P8xAHtWJuP

Well that's all we got for now. But he show lasts through next week, and we have a feeling the best is yet to come.

Inbox: On Thursday, January 16th, Vice President Biden will visit the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

<strong>Did you spot anything strange at NAIAS, like the guy you see below? Share it with @GuardianUS using the hashtag #WeirdNAIAS.</strong>

Where ARE they getting these models from? #weirdNAIAS #naias pic.twitter.com/G2GiKr1DuR

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