Wagons in vintage Street scenes

Chicago Auto show, 1968:

Auto-show visitors seated in the balony of the International Amphitheatre Arena, overlooked a string of imported cars. From the bottom: Jaguar XK-E, Honda 600, Renault 10, MG-B GT coupe, Mercedes-Benz 230 sedan, Volvo P1800 coupe, Datsun PL510, Citroen DS21 station wagon, Toyota Corona, and Opel Kadett Rallye coupe.

 

A custom Cutlass 4-4-2 convertible called "Mod Rod," was a highlighted vehicle in the Oldsmobile exhibit at the 1968 Chicago Auto Show. Olds assaulted the youth market in the late Sixties with its sporty muscle cars like the 4-4-2, which debuted in 1964. Available for 1968 were versions of the 400 cid V-8 engine that produced from 290 to 360 horsepower. Portions of other Oldsmobile models can be seen toward the rear in this shot

 

Chicago Auto show 1969:

At the end of the decade, visitors to the 1969 Chicago Auto Show at the International Amphitheatre continued to enjoy the annual musical stage review, which included live dancers, singers and the introduction of the latest automobiles. A new economy car bows at Ford, the compact Maverick. Chevrolet’s displayed: the T-top Corvette, the compact Nova, and the Camaro pony car. Pontiac launched the first Firebird Trans Am at the show, as a mid-year model. On the right is the decorative "Geo-Sphere" that served as a centerpiece for the Chicago Auto Show.

 

A Corvette convertible is in the foreground of this wide scene of the Chevrolet exhibit, where a modest number of people are inspecting the vehicles. Other Chevrolet models can be seen toward the rear, including a Camaro Z-28 at right and a Chevy Nova (formerly called Chevy II) hardtop at left.

 

Datsun's sports car, the 2000 roadster (model SRL311) sits on a raised rectangular platform in this scene at the Japanese automaker's exhibit. Portions of other Datsun models (PL510 sedans and station wagons) can be seen toward the rear. The 2000 roadster used a 1982-cc (121-cid) 4-cylinder engine. Datsun also continued to offer a 1600 roadster with a smaller engine.

 

Please forgive me, I know I am going backwards decade wise, so things are out of sequence but now onto the 1950's Chicago Auto shows. These will be good. I know I stated earlier that I miss the 60's, but I think I miss the 50's even more (and I wasn't even there!) this is by far my favorite decade of Automobiles.

As you will read below, the 1950 show was the first to take place after the end of WWII. It marked an amazing time in our history as a country and as a byproduct, our automobiles.

Chicago Auto show, 1950:

After America’s involvement (1941-1945) with the global Second World War, the first official new car automobile show to be held in the United States was in Chicago, from Feb. 18-26, 1950. This would be the 42nd edition of the Chicago show, billed as the largest in the nation. The show was held at the International Amphitheatre, Halsted Ave. at 43rd Street. Major news stories on the show highlighted independent auto manufacturer Kaiser and Frazer debut of their 1951 models at the '50 Chicago event. Chevrolet and Pontiac introduced hardtop models, and Nash premiered the compact Rambler. The stage show revue was titled, "Wheels of Freedom," and by the end of the nine day run, the auto show drew 478,000 visitors to the south side of the city. Pictured on the right are two show “messenger/pages” posed with the chrome-plated “overbite” grille teeth of a 1950 Buick from General Motors. Inset is an example of the lapel badge worn by the Exhibitors, Press, Chicago Mayor Kennelly, show officials and others.



Scene shot in the Chevrolet exhibit showed several models, including a convertible at left. Like most American cars, Chevrolets had received new bodies for 1949, facelifted a bit for 1950. A Powerglide automatic transmission was new this year, along with a hardtop coupe body style (second from right, at rear of photo, ahead of a station wagon).

 

Chicago Auto show, 1951:

Miss Jefferson Park (Connie Popell, age 17) poses alongside a 1951 Mercury convertible. Facelifted for 1951, all Mercury models featured newly-extended rear fenders and flathead V-8 engines.

 

Miss North Shore (Marian Heinz, age 17) stands alongside a 1951 Willys Jeep station wagon. Willys began to produce vehicles for the civilian market soon after World War II, with the station wagons debuting in 1946.

 

Chicago Auto Show, 1952:


Standing left to right: Miss South Suburban (Jean Bergman), revue director Dorothy Hild, Miss Belmont (Ruth Collins) and Miss North Suburban (Rozsika Carroll) pose with a 1952 De Soto Custom Suburban station wagon during the 44th annual Chicago Auto Show. Miss Irving Park (Philma Fox) is sitting in the car. Original photo caption reads: "Exclusive to Chicago Daily News. Auto Show 'Queens' get instructions on entering and alighting from a car correctly. They are among 20 who will appear in the stage revue 'Motor Modes of 1952' during the nine-day period starting Feb. 16th at the International Amphitheatre."

 

Photo taken from outside the Ford display area at the 1953 Chicago Auto Show features various Ford models, including a Crestline Country Squire station wagon at right. In the background is a cutaway of a Ford four-door sedan. A Henry J is partially visible in the foreground. This was Ford's 50th anniversary year.

*I'm a FoMoCo man, and I love these cars, but I have a special place in my heart for the honorable mention of the Henry J in the foreground.

 

Wide shot of the Chevrolet exhibit area at the 1953 Chicago Auto Show includes a convertible at the center, and a Corvette on a raised platform at the right rear. Chevrolets were redesigned for 1953, with a more squarish body. The Corvette sports car would go on sale later in the year, in small numbers (only 315 built).