Motorexpo revs up for its downtown L.A. debut

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“The idea is to give people the opportunity to get close to vehicles they might not get close to every day,” said Graeme Carver.

The managing director of annual Motorexpo events that began in London in 1996, expanded to New York in 2008 and will kick off in downtown L.A. next week is referring to models such as the out-of-reach-for-mere-mortals Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Lotus Evora, Spyker C8, R8 V10 and Aston Martin Rapide -- vehicles that will be on display, for free, at the Bank of America Plaza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 10-14.

Sixty-five models from almost 20 manufacturers will be parked among the plaza’s trees, flowers and waterfalls, providing an even more exotic backdrop to the popular outdoor lunch spot for downtown workers. Attendees who feel inspired to drive some of the vehicles they see will have that opportunity with select new models from Ford, Land Rover, Lincoln, Jaguar and other manufacturers.

Los Angeles is the “logical” place for the car expo to expand, said Carver, a former “marketing guy” who used to work for the famed London ad firm Saatchi and Saatchi. It’s also the first U.S. Motorexpo to incorporate motorcycles. Ducati’s new Monster 796 will be on display.

-- Susan Carpenter