This yr’s Chicago Auto Present looks like a shell of its former self, but it surely nonetheless holds the title of the most important client auto present in the US. It did not get that status just by being effectively produced or handy for locals determined for one thing to do in February — it earned it over many years of breaking automotive information and powerhouse reveals, ultimately incomes a casual designation as America’s truck present.
2024 could also be a down yr for Chicago, however let’s not overlook all the nice issues which have come out of it, traditionally. Here is a take a look at a few of our workers favorites. Wager you did not learn about a couple of of those vehicles that have been first revealed within the Windy Metropolis.
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8
I did not simply choose this one as a former Challenger proprietor, however as an alternative for instance simply what number of cool Chicago debuts we take as a right. Chrysler usually selected its house turf to debut new vehicles, so the few instances its unveilings occurred elsewhere have a tendency to stay in our minds. The primary Challenger SRT-8 was form of rubbish, if we’re being trustworthy. I imply, who buys a race-bred, V8-powered muscle automotive and not using a limited-slip differential? However the SRT-8 formulation advanced over time into one thing actually particular, and what we noticed in Chicago was basically the early model of the Scat Pack, which was in the end very profitable for Dodge. And who would have thought we would be right here, 15 years later, nonetheless speaking about that debut? And nonetheless loving these huge Mopars, flaws and all. — Affiliate Editor Byron Hurd
SHO time in Chicago
I’ll all the time have a sure fondness for the return of the Taurus SHO on the 2009 Chicago Auto Present. Chicago has all the time leaned truck and van heavy for press reveals, however every so often, as this record illustrates, one thing spicy would seem. The return of the SHO as a high-powered successor to the unique that ran from 1989-1999 gave fanatics hope for Ford’s efficiency enterprise, particularly for sedans. With a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 packing 365 hp, all-wheel drive and five-spoke wheels, the SHO was a pleasant improve from the lower-rung Taurus fashions. It was a bit extra sedate than the unique SHO’s Yamaha-sourced V6 that teamed with a five-speed guide transmission, however nonetheless a worthy response to the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and later the Chevy SS. The SHO — Tremendous Excessive Output — begat issues just like the Fusion ST and gave Ford stable four-door efficiency for the remainder of the last decade. — Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore
1983 Buick Questor
Buick trotted out its automotive of the long run in 1983. It was so futuristic that it was truly billed because the 1995 Buick Questor, with a laser key, touchscreen navigation, steering wheel controls, digital rear-view digicam and extra. It even had a rudimentary pop-up head-up show that served as an instrument panel. Maybe as spectacular as its computer-controlled electronics was its styling, which influenced vehicles just like the Buick Regal and Reatta. Would you drive the Questor? I actually would. — Senior Editor, Electrical, John Beltz Snyder
1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
The Chicago Auto Present has been recognized for 2 issues over its lengthy and storied historical past: efficiency automobiles and pickup vehicles. The 2 have mixed a number of instances over time, notably on the 1992 present when Ford formally launched its SVT sub-brand. Each the SVT Mustang Cobra and the F-150 SVT Lightning have been first debuted in Chicago earlier than happening sale early within the 1993 calendar yr.
However that is not the one hi-po truck the halls of the McCormick Middle has seen. A number of years later in ’96, Dodge unveiled the VTS Idea (marvel what Ford considered using these particular letters…), which was the primary time a Viper-powered Ram truck was proven to the general public. Sure, we all know the Ram supplied a V10, however that was a truck-specific cast-iron lump; it wasn’t till 2004 that Ram would bless the SRT-10 with the fire-belching Viper engine for manufacturing consumption. Seems vehicles and efficiency make for a nice pairing in Chicago or anyplace else. — Senior Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski
1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata
How might I not choose this? If you happen to’ve been round Autoblog lengthy, first, thanks, second, you in all probability know I am our unofficial Miata particular person. And it is wild that such a monumentally necessary automotive for the Japanese model, and what’s now one of the crucial iconic Japanese sports activities vehicles, launched in America. Granted, the challenge was kickstarted by Mazda’s American division, and the American design idea received out, however nonetheless. And it was proven in darkish and frigid Chicago, not sunny Los Angeles. The necessary factor, although, is that it did launch, and it is nonetheless round right now. Mazda even periodically had Miata bulletins in Chicago ever since, with the newest being the searingly orange thirtieth Anniversary Version MX-5. – Information Editor Joel Stocksdale
1989 Acura NS-X Idea
Automakers wish to one-up one another, and whereas nowadays the battleground is usually social media, the 1989 Chicago Auto Present noticed my favourite little bit of gamesmanship in auto present historical past, no web mandatory.
It’s a well-known sufficient story that you simply’ve in all probability heard it earlier than, however the Acura NS-X Idea’s debut was one I’m certain the oldsters in attendance for each Acura and Ford will always remember. You see, simply previous to Acura’s press convention on the Drake Resort, Honda President Tadashi Kume determined it was an excellent time to fireside up the prototype and actually let the engine rip. Whereas Kume was revving the hell out of the NS-X Idea’s V6 engine, Ford was subsequent door giving its personal Chicago press convention. After all, the supercar’s engine could possibly be heard clearly by everybody attending the Ford convention. Did everybody rapidly lose curiosity in Ford and must know what the hell Acura delivered to the present? Perhaps! However at any price, good one, Honda.
All of this occurred earlier than anybody even knew that Honda/Acura was growing a supercar that’d change the world of supercars as we knew it again then. After all, the remaining is historical past, and the manufacturing Acura NSX went on sale for the 1991 mannequin yr. Acura even held a particular 30-year press convention on the 2019 Chicago Auto Present the place it regarded again on the occasions from the hilarious 1989 debut (sorry, Ford) and what transpired after that. From the attitude of somebody who adores the unique NSX and previous Hondas generally, that is peak auto present historical past. – Highway Take a look at Editor Zac Palmer
