August 2000 - The scene is a crowded paddock at last year's prestigious Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca Raceway. Amid the sweet music of rare vintage racing engines and the nearly inconceivable beauty found in rows of priceless four-wheel motorsports artifacts, a crowd gathers in a tent adorned with a distinctly American nameplate. Jaded journalists and ever-present enthusiasts, familiar celebrities and full-time dreamers collectively gasp as the silk cover is taken off the next great American supercar - the Saleen S7. It's swooping but purposeful lines intentionally toned-down with a stunning combination of silver BASF paint and Connolly leather interior; the newly created automotive icon became the instant object of desire to all of those fortunate enough to witness its stunning introduction. 

Rain, hail and snow are good for business in the collision repair industry, but those same elements cause additional interior damage to an unprotected car sitting on the back lot waiting for parts, reassembly - or an adjuster. Protecting the cars with plastic trash bags and duct tape - a standard industry practice for years - is not only ineffective, it also leads to hours of detailing time to remove the tape adhesive from the vehicle. 

A new, high quality but moderate cost downdraft spraybooth has been introduced by USI. Designed for shops that require the spraying and curing features found in USI's more expensive booths but don't have the volume to justify a high-end "production" booth, the new Techno spraybooth can be "delivered and installed for less than $40,000," according to Luigi Zucchet, Vice-President of USI North America