For the 1933 Chicago Auto Show (CAS), a colorful mural celebrating the "History of Transportation," decorated the walls of the Coliseum. The artwork bordered more than 600 feet of wall space, and was hung just below the exposition hall ceiling. The illustrations featured a parade of conveyances that included the ox-drawn sled, Roman chariot, camel and elephant power, stage coach, trolley car, dirigible, aircraft, and the modern automobile. Pictured in the foreground of this photograph are two Nash sedans. Nash took the occasion at the 1933 CAS to introduce the newest Ambassador Eight, Big Six, Advance Eight and Special Eight. On the right is a Buick three-passenger coupe.

Chrysler’s exhibit at the 1933 Chicago Auto Show featured the latest models, an exposed chassis, and a cutaway example of the straight eight-cylinder engine with new gas-pedal starter. The engine was linked to the "silent running" transmission with helical gears. A Chrysler Imperial Eight sedan is parked in the lower left corner, with $1395 printed on the license plate. For sun worshipers, the Custom Imperial Eight Phaeton on the right would have set you back $3,395.

More than 250 cars, taxicabs and chassis could be seen on the Coliseum's main floor, exhibited by 25 makers, from Auburn and Continental to Stutz and Willys. Famous brands including Cord, Durant, Peerless and Willys-Knight were no longer produced.

Three months after the 33rd annual Chicago Auto Show was held January 28-February 4,1933, the Century of Progress World's Fair opens along Chicago’s lake front. Inside the General Motors building was an automotive assembly line where workers actually produced cars. The Century of Progress celebrated Chicago's centennial (100 years).