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For the past few years, the Los Angeles auto show has struggled somewhat. It was an identity crisis, as the show flirted with electric cars, self-driving cars, and all things tech.
The 2019 installment was refreshing, then, because the show roared back with an embrace of luxury vehicles and some pretty thrilling electric performance cars.
LA has always been a car-mad town. Here's why the 2019 LA auto show has brought some of the divine madness back:
The LA auto show pulled into its longtime home at the downtown Convention Center.
On my way in, I noticed to my delight that RICK AND MORTY is back! Ignore the abandoned scooter, a common sight in LA these days.
Yep, the good folks at LEGO has created a Bugatti Veyron that any one can buy and build, as well as ...
... A full-size, FULLY DRIVABLE Veyron that only LEGO's Master Builders should tackle.
For a little distraction, auto show attendees can undertake a quick project before moving on to the main event.
The LA auto show is designed to both stoke interest and serve as a trade show for the car industry. That's why the path between the exhibition halls features a Pagani supercar outfitted with Brembo brakes ...
... A seriously jacked-up pickup truck ...
... The debut of a new all-electric pickup from Bollinger ...
... Some information about charging from Electrify America ...
... And of course a Hollywood teaser for a Fast & Furious animated series.
Outside the exhibit halls, we also find some customized vehicular hotness, such as this Lexus racer. More race cars to come, by the way!
But before we get to that, let's pause for a quick look at the all-new Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid SUV that Lincoln revealed offsite.
Also offsite, Jaguar Land Rover revealed its redesigned Defender, an off-roading legend.
Land Rover brought a very special Defender to Hollywood, fresh off the set of the next James Bond movie, "No Time to Die."
OK, let's get back to the Convention Center. California-based Karma brought its Revero GT ...
... And it's rather more exotic SC2 concept car. For what it's worth, Karma took over a space in LA that for years was occupied by Ferrari (the Italian stallion no longer does the show).
All right, I did say we'd check out some race cars, right? Here's Alfa Romeo's F1 competitor.
Not one but two racers from Acura.
A little Indy Car action from Honda.
And a special treat: the Mark II Ford GT — the second generation of the car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016.
We can thank the hit film "Ford vs. Ferrari" for Ford bringing the actual 1966-winning Ford GT driven to victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. Go like hell!
A few more GTs hit the show floor, courtesy of a big local LA dealer.
Porsche brought its 99x Formula E car.
As well as the 911 RSR that captured the 2019 manufacturers' trophy in the IMSA WeatherTech endurance racing series.
It wasn't the only notable 911 racer in the house. The No. 70 Hawaiian Tropic car was driven by Paul Newman.
Toyota served up a race-ready version of its new Supra.
And Toyota also brought the No. 18 Camry, Kyle Busch's NASCAR ride. Melts in your mouth. not in your hand!
Even Mazda brought a race car.
Back to cars that are merely fast but might not want for a race track. Audi unveiled its stonking RS Q8, a 592-horsepower crossover that can knock out a 0-60 mph run in less than four seconds.
I finally got up close and personal with the new C8 Corvette and its awesome mid-engine design.
Speaking of mid-engine designs, Business Insider's 2016 Car of the Year, the Acura NSX, arrived wearing a smashing new yellow paint job.
