The 55th annual show continues as the largest in the country, presenting about 450 cars and trucks worth 25 million dollars. One in particular was claimed to be the first economy import with an American automatic transmission - the Hillman Super Minx - which debuted in Chicago. Chevrolet brings out production version of concept Corvette Sting Ray fastback coupe and convertible for 1963. Along with examples of the new Sting Ray, there was an exposed chassis and V-8 engine (pictured) from the new Corvette. All the way from Great Britian came the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III coupe which debuted at the Chicago show. Willys introduces a new station wagon called the Jeep Wagoneer with four-wheel drive, along with the Gladiator pickup truck. Chrysler introduces another letter series car at the ’63 Chicago show, the 300J.
Three Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) executives pose with an antique model car. Pictured are left to right CATA President Fred G. Litsinger, Auto Show Manager and CATA Executive Vice-President Edward L. Cleary and CATA Vice-President Michael Schwartz, who also served as Chairman of the Executive Show Committee.
Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley (center) poses with Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) executives near the entrance to McCormick Place. Pictured are left to right CATA President Fred G. Litsinger, Mayor Daley, Auto Show Manager and CATA Executive Vice-President Edward L. Cleary and CATA Vice-President and Auto Show Chairman Michael Schwartz, who is pinning that year's auto-show "Mayor" badge on Daley's lapel.
Two acrobatic musicians rode on tall unicycles as one played a violin and the other blew on a clarinet during the "Motorevue of 1963" stage revue. It’s possible that they were the Goetschi Brothers. The backdrop artwork represented the Chicago skyline. Specialty acts like this one performed during the breaks between automobile introductions onstage.
Female performers were part of the "Through Lincoln Park" musical skit to introduce the 1963 Mercury Monterey during the "Motorevue of 1963" stage presentation. Monterey was a full-size Mercury model, highlighted by the unique back-slanted rear window.
A musical skit to introduce the 1963 Chevrolet Impala four-door hardtop was part of the "Motorevue of 1963" stage show. The backdrop depicts the downtown Chicago skyline, and in particular, the Shubert Theatre, historic site of renowned musical and stage plays. Full-size Chevrolets received a restyling for '63.
A photograph shot from the rear of the Arie Crown theatre, depicts a 1963 Rambler onstage with performers, plus a substantial portion of the spellbound audience. Three men on stage are dressed as sailors, part of the "At The Water Tower" presentation used to introduce the Rambler. Specific car models were featured in short musical skits during the "Motorevue of 1963," each themed to a specific Chicago landmark.
A 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe is in the foreground of the Chevrolet exhibit. At right, is a Corvair convertible with rear-mounted, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. The Corvette was all-new for 1963, with body design credited to Larry Shinoda. This was the first year for a fastback model, as well as dual headlights hidden behind rotating housings. Larger Chevrolet models can be seen toward the rear.
A GT Hawk coupe dominates this scene directly outside the Studebaker exhibit during the 1963 show. Evolved from the Raymond Loewy-styled 1953 Studebaker hardtop, the GT Hawk first went on sale in 1962. Powering the GT Hawk was Studebaker's 289 cubic inch V-8 engine, available with either supercharged or normally aspirated setups. On the left behind the GT Hawk is the front grille of the Lark compact model, and on the right, a profile of the sensational Avanti.
Buick introduced the sophisticated and shapely Riviera personal-luxury coupe for 1963 borrowing from a name first used in 1949 for the company's first pillarless hardtop coupe. Brand new for '63, the Riviera wore elegant, razor-edged styling created by GM Vice President of Design, Bill Mitchell. In Buick’s words, “This was America’s bid for a great new international classic car.” Available equipment included leather-upholstered bucket seats, Electro-Cruise control, seven-position steering wheel and even a full-throated, four-note horn that really sings out.
A gentleman dressed in a tuxedo was rehearsing his promotional speech on a raised platform in the Ford display before the opening of the auto show. The display featured an exposed chassis for the full-size Ford Galaxie, and the formal wear stressed the fact that the larger Fords had the new “ten million dollar ride.”
A scene outside the Lincoln-Mercury exhibit features a Lincoln Continental four-door convertible on the right, and a Mercury Monterey four-door sedan on the left. Other Mercury models can be seen toward the rear. Lincoln Continentals also came in hardtop sedan form.
A popular display in the 1963 Buick exhibit was the full-size four-door hardtop that automatically split itself down the middle, exposing the inner components of the engine bay, drivetrain, six-passenger interior and large trunk.
Photographed outside the brightly lit Rambler exhibit. On the left is the compact American convertible, with a Rambler two-door sedan directly behind. In the foreground is a display for the 327 CID V-8 engine. On the right, is a 3/4 front view of the full-size Ambassador 990 station wagon.
Auto show visitors could win a miniature car or a Chrysler Airtemp air conditioner at the Plymouth exhibit space. A man in a broadly-striped jacket is speaking into a hand microphone, presumably explaining the rules. Various showgoers are hunched over, filling out the entry forms. A clock denotes that the next contest is at 12:30 PM. Prize-winning contests are popular attractions at the annual Chicago show.
Despite a large Chrysler sign at the top of this photo, the scene is at the adjoining Jaguar exhibit space. In the left foreground is a Jaguar XK-E (E-Type) coupe. An XK-E convertible is in the right foreground, and a Mark X sedan is in the center. Farther back, on the right, the front end of a Daimler SP250 roadster can be seen. Introduced for 1960, the SP250 had a small (153 CID) V-8 engine.
In the foreground at the Mercedes-Benz exhibit space is a 190SL roadster. Both the 190SL and the high-performance 300SL were about to become extinct, replaced by a different-looking 230SL. "SL" stood for "Super Light."
A sign atop this Saab two-door sedan proclaims Saab as the "undisputed winner" of the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally, ranking "first overall." Later known as the Monte Carlo model, the GT850 held a 57-horsepower three-cylinder engine, rather than the 42-horsepower version that went into series 96 sedans. Also included in the GT850 were a 7000-rpm tachometer, wood-rimmed steering wheel and white-on-black VDO instruments.
Three Ford trucks are in this scene, highlighted by an F-250 pickup with four-wheel drive on the right. Next to the pickup is a large sign with a simulation of a Sherman Tank, pointing out Ford's connection with military production. At far left is a large C-6000 delivery van. At far right is the back end of an extended-bed pickup truck.
A shapely model in a skimpy auto mechanic-like uniform posed together with the exposed engine and chassis for a Dodge truck. Scant outfits are rare at the Chicago show, as most models and presenters wear business or evening attire.
Six high school students (five girls and one boy) were the winners of the annual auto show "Traffic Safety Slogan Contest.” The winners posed together with Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) executives and Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. Pictured from right are Show Manager Edward L. Cleary, CATA President Fred G. Litsinger, Mayor Daley and CATA Vice-President and Auto Show Chairman Michael Schwartz.
Ford exhibited the handsome two-passenger Cougar II concept car at the 1963 Chicago Auto Show. It featured a fastback roof, concealed 'pop-up' headlights, and a high-performance 260 CID V-8 with four-speed transmission. Mercury latched onto the Cougar name for its new 1967 pony car.
Oldsmobile presented the "el Torero" show car, based on a custom version of the 1963 Olds 98 convertible. Exterior wore multiple coats of Firefrost gold paint, and the interior reflected a Spanish-motif. The female presenter wore a cape that matched the gold brocade fabric used to upholster the inside door panels. Two-plus-two white naturally contoured bucket seats were accented with red satin striping.
Fleur de Lis was Pontiac’s salute to France, home of the famed LeMans race course and namesake of this Tempest LeMans convertible. On display during the 1963 Chicago Auto Show, the Fleur de Lis featured a partially blacked out grille and special exterior paint, as well as a custom interior. Emblem in the grille signified that under the hood was a 326-cubic inch V-8 engine.