Funny face, great on gas

Albert Skaggs has learned that looks can be deceiving.

Six years ago he was traveling in Athens, Greece, and came upon the Smart Car.

"I was so intrigued by it," he said of the European vehicle, which is one of the smallest cars manufactured in the world. "It doesn't feel like a small car when you get in."

But, small it is.

The car, which seats two, measures in at 8.8 feet long, stands just over 5 feet tall and is about 5 feet wide. It weighs only 1,850 pounds. Need more of a visual? Imagine fitting two cars in one parking space. You could with two Smart Cars.

Up until he purchased his own Smart Car in May, Skaggs has always been leery of small vehicles.

"I had three brothers that were killed in a wreck in a small car," he said.

So it came as a great surprise when he decided to invest in one.

"I tried to purchase one while we were in Athens, but they weren't available in the United States yet, so I got my name on the list," he said. "I was one of the first to get one in this area."

With a few major road trips under his belt now, Skaggs has changed his mind about small cars.

"It is by far the most fun and enjoyable car I've ever owned," the Seymour businessman said. "It's an amazing vehicle."

That says a lot, considering the number and models of vehicles he has owned over the years, from the 1954 Chevy two-door sedan he had when he was 18 to his 2008 GMC Acadia SUV.

Besides having a unique look, there are many other features to the Smart Car with which Skaggs is impressed.

The concept for the vehicle started in the early '90s as a collaboration between popular watchmaker Swatch and Mercedes Benz. The Smart name stands for Swatch and Mercedes ART.

Like the Swatch watches, which come in an array of colors and can be changed by switching out the bands, the Smart Car comes with interchangeable panels that can be ordered in different colors.

"The panels just pop off so you can change them if you want," Skaggs said. "You can change to a red one for about $900."

Going with Skaggs Builders' company color, he chose blue for his first Smart Car, which he purchased from Sam Swope dealership in Louisville, one of just a couple of dealerships in the area selling Smart Cars.

Price-wise, the car is quite a deal, Skaggs added.

"They start at around $11,600 and go up to around $19,000 with added options," he said. "You can get any option offered in any luxury car but the performance is what is most impressive."

Although some people may think such a small car wouldn't be safe, Skaggs is convinced it is.

"It has a five-star safety rating," he said. "And it comes with the equivalent of a Formula I race car roll cage.

"It's just plastic panels on the outside but it covers the steel cage. It also has four air bags. I feel as safe in this vehicle as I do in my Acadia SUV or any other vehicle."

Of course, another big advantage to having a Smart Car is the gas mileage it gets.

Skaggs said he gets around 50 miles to the gallon while traveling on the interstate and around 40 miles in town.

A trip from Seymour to Indianapolis and back can be made with just 2.6 gallons of gas, or for about $4, he added.

"It's just so well-balanced," he said. "When it comes to performance and stability, it's the top of the line."

Another feature that Skaggs says makes the car so fun is its retractable roof, turning it into a Smart convertible.

"It's the only convertible that you can open and close the top while you're driving and it only takes about nine seconds," he said.

When it comes to other people's reactions to the car, Skaggs said it has been entertaining and interesting to hear the comments.
"People ask me questions about it all the time," he said. "The first question is usually how many miles does it get. Is it battery-

powered? Do you have a key to wind it up? Where's your clown shoes? I've never driven a vehicle that has got as much attention as this one."

Skaggs said in most cases the car makes people happy.

"It's so cute it makes you laugh," he said. "The front end is actually designed to look like a smiley face."

Although there aren't many Smart Cars around Seymour yet, Skaggs said it won't be long before they catch on.

"You will be seeing a lot more Smarts around soon," he said.

Having one Smart Car just wasn't enough for Skaggs, so when another one became available, he snatched it up. But with no need for two, he has decided to share the Smart experience and help out a local cause.

Just in time for Christmas, Skaggs is auctioning off a red 2008 Smart Car, with all proceeds above the cost of the car benefiting the Anchor House homeless shelter in Seymour.

Those interested in bidding on the car should e-mail their bid amount, along with their name, address and phone number, to www.skaggsbuilders.com or by calling (812) 523-3300 by Dec. 23.

Appointments to see the car can also be made. The highest bid will be posted daily on the company's Web site, www. skaggsbuilders.com.

There are also pictures of the vehicle on the Web site. For more information on Smart Cars, visit www.smartusa.com.