Artist Michael Schulbaum was a senior at Wheaton Central High School when he created the cover art for the 84th annual Chicago Auto Show (CAS) program. The official automobile that year was a 1992 Buick Skylark sedan with the 160 horsepower V-6 engine. The compact Skylark was related to the Pontiac Grand Am and Oldsmobile Achieva. World debuts at the 1992 CAS included the 1993 Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer, '92 Toyota Camry station wagon and '92 Subaru Touring Sports LE wagon. Additionally, Ford unveiled its Mustang Cobra and the high-performance F-150 pickup truck in Chicago; Mazda premiered the new 626, Audi its 90 sedan, Infiniti a J30 with four-wheel steering; Saab 9000CD Turbo flex-fuel concept and the Toyota Avalon four-door convertible concept.
In the entry lobby at McCormick Place, a Buick Skylark coupe sits on a raised platform. As a sign above advises, Skylark was the Official Car of the Chicago Auto Show. Note the auto-show poster on pillar at left.
Eight executives and employees of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association pose for a photograph, near the Honda exhibit space on the upper level. Pictured are (left to right): Leo Larkin, assistant to the executive vice-president; Frank Mauthe, director of communications and marketing; Jack Gallagher, director of dealer relations; executive vice-president Jerry H. Cizek III; bookkeeper Helen Brudnicki; secretary Elizabeth Soroka; receptionist Joan Anderskow; and assistant public-relations director Margaret Offner.
A red Chevrolet Corvette convertible sits in the right foreground of this scene at the company's upper-level exhibit space. Behind it, on a raised display platform, is the Corvette Sting Ray III concept car. A white Corvette coupe can be seen at left, behind an engine display.
A dark 1992 Buick Skylark coupe featured a silver-colored lower body for a two-tone appearance. The scene was shot before the opening of the 84th Chicago Auto Show, on the upper/main level of McCormick Place East. On the right is an example of Buick's 160 horsepower fuel-injected 3300 V-6 engine.
Three compact Pontiac Grand Am models for 1992 are visible, at least in part, in this scene at Pontiac's exhibit before the opening of the 84th Chicago Auto Show.. Sitting on a raised platform, toward the rear, is a special Grand Am coupe with golden paint, matching wheels, and aero lower-body add-on panels.
A cutaway version of a Saturn SC coupe sits on a tilted platform within exhibit in McCormick Place during the 1992 Chicago Auto Show.The visual demonstration was to call attention to the construction of Saturn models. Note the deployed airbag in the steering wheel. Introduced a year earlier, Saturn was part of the General Motors family. Two production Saturns and a racing model can be seen farther toward the rear, at left.
The sliding side door has been opened on this Plymouth Voyager minivan, pictured at the Chrysler-Plymouth display space on the upper level of McCormick Place. A driver's airbag was newly standard, and an integral child safety seat optional. Dodge's Caravan was similar. Note the woodgrain body trim on the gray Voyager, facing away from the camera toward the rear. At far left is a Plymouth Colt hatchback, imported from Japan.
A high-performance, subcompact Ford Escort GT hatchback sits along a main aisle at the company's upper-level display space. Special features on the GT included a 127-horsepower four-cylinder engine, sport suspension, all-disc brakes, and a unique grille pattern. Several other Ford models are visible, including a full-size Econoline Club Wagon on on a raised platform.
At the Lincoln exhibit space on the upper level, a light blue Continental sedan is facing away from the camera. Toward the rear, at the center, a Town Car sits on a raised display platform. Only glimpses of other Lincoln models can be seen. Continentals came in Executive and Signature series, powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that produced 160 horsepower.
A big entry portal, with "Chicago Auto Show '92" lettering, invites visitors to the lower level of the Chicago Auto Show. At right, glimpses of two Ferrari models can be seen in the foreground.
Scene at the upper-level space for German-made BMW automobiles. Redesigned for 1992, the 3-Series debuted as a sedan, with the coupe joining later. At left, partially obscured by an engine display, is a white 325Ci convertible, which kept the previous generation's basic body. The concept vehicle along the wall, toward the rear, is BMW's E2 Electric.
A maroon Accord station station dominates the right foreground of this scene at the upper-level space for Honda automobiles. Accords added a driver's airbag this year. In addition to several other production Honda models on the carpeted show floor, the "Dream" solar car, which finished second in the 1,819-mile World Solar Challenge in 1990, is sitting atop a tilted, raised platform.
A white M30 convertible, sitting on a raised display platform, is the featured attraction at the lower-level space for Infiniti, Nissan's luxury division. Virtually unchanged this year, the M30 also came as a closed coupe, seen from the rear at far left.
An XJ-S convertible sits on a raised round platform at the lower-level display space for British-made Jaguar motorcars. Also offered as a coupe, the XJ-S used a 262-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-12 engine. Cosmetic updates marked this year's models. Back ends of two XJ sedans can be seen in the foreground. Sedans had inline six-cylinder engines.
A bright yellow Lamborghini Diablo coupe fills the foreground on the lower-level of McCormick Place East during the 1992 Chicago Auto Show. Behind, is a red Diablo coupe and black Diablo behind a decorative pillar. Ferrari's 'prancing horse' logo is seen at an adjoining display.
A black 300CE coupe occupies the foreground of this scene at the Mercedes-Benz exhibit space on the upper level. Seating four, the 300CE held a dual-cam 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produced 217 horsepower. Several additional models can be seen toward the rear, including a white 300SD sedan with turbodiesel engine, and a red SL convertible (with removable hardtop in place) at right.
No Nissan model like the FEV, seen on a raised round platform at the company's upper-level display space, ever made it to dealerships. This aerodynamically-shaped Future Electric Vehicle was claimed to have abundant interior and cargo space, plus heat-pump air conditioning and a heat-insulated, water-beading windshield that blocked ultraviolet rays. In the left foreground is a yellow Nissan NX sport coupe with its optional T-bar roof panels removed. Portions of several additional production models also can be seen.
Three notable Nissans are featured at the company's upper-level display space. Occupying the center foreground is a red/white/blue Nissan racing car, numbered 84. Farther back, sitting on raised round platforms, are two examples of the 240SX convertible, one red and one white, introduced for sale at mid-season in 1992. The 240SX also remained on sale in closed-coupe form.
Positioned within a protective enclosure, a white Silver Spur II saloon (sedan) faces the camera at the lower-level display space for British-made Rolls-Royce and Bentley motorcars. Another Silver Spur is sitting at far left, facing away. Glimpses of two additional models can be seen, past the red Rolls-Royce/Bentley display sign at far right.
New for 1992 in the Subaru lineup was the sleek SVX luxury sport coupe, pictured at right. Replacing the prior XT coupe, the SVX featured an unusual "window-within-a-window" design. A sign along the aisle advises that the SVX had been named an "All-Star" by Automobile magazine. Toward the left, sitting along the aisle and ahead of a Subaru display portal, is a Legacy station wagon.
Redesigned for 1992, a white Camry--Toyota's most popular model--dominates the foreground of this upper-level scene. Additional Camry sedans are sitting on a large display platform toward the rear. This year's Camry measured six inches longer overall than its predecessor, and two inches wider, gaining a driver's airbag. Most Camry sedans and all wagons were built in Kentucky.
At the Volvo Safety Gallery, a sedan that has been crashed into a frontal barrier is sitting on a raised display platform, presumably to demonstrate the minimal damage that had occurred during that incident. At far left, the back end of a station wagon pokes into the picture. A free-standing sign at right advises show goers to visit their Chicagoland Volvo dealer.
"The Cars and Trucks Most People Depend On," reads a large sign at the edge of the Chevrolet Truck display space on the lower level. One of those trucks is mostly hidden behind the sign, but two others are visible at left and right.
Neither of the two Econoline vans sitting along the aisle in this scene at Ford's truck space is fully visible. A display unit, featuring the familiar "calipers," advises that the Econoline Chateau Club Wagon has been named "Truck of the Year" by Motor Trend magazine. A Ford pickup can be seen farther to the rear.
This red tow truck, pictured at the Dodge Truck display space on the lower level, had been the Official Truck of the 75th Indianapolis 500 race, according to lettering on its front fender. Note the Indy 500 symbol on the truck's door. Portions of more ordinary Dodge models can be seen toward the rear, including a Ramcharger full-size sport-utility vehicle next to the tow truck.
Billed as a "world class sports roadster," a black example of the Warlock two-passenger sports car is featured at this display space for one of the replicar manufacturers. Next to it is a neoclassic Corsair. Note the partially-assembled engine on a standard in the right foreground.
Well-known robots Vince and Larry are on hand at the Allstate Auto Safety Show exhibit, ready to offer advice about seatbelt and airbag safety. No show goers are on hand, however, to watch the active exhibit. At left is a display for Avital automobile security.
Stereo components, auto security systems, and mobile phones are among the products featured at the display for The Sound Advantage, in the aftermarket section of the auto show. Signs promote Teletrac, a stolen vehicle locator system, as well as WLS Talk Radio on AM and FM.
With cab-forward design, the Buick Sceptre concept had flowing lines combined with supercharged V-6 rear-wheel performance. Fresh approaches were given to traditional Buick styling cues, including the waterfall grille.
At Chevrolet's upper-level exhibit space, a huge crowd has gathered around the Corvette Sting Ray III concept car. Painted black cherry, with styling reminiscent of Corvettes of the 1960s, the String Ray III had the same 102-inch wheelbase as the 1992 Corvette, but its taut body was two inches shorter. Engine was a modified LT1 with a rear-mounted gearbox. The Sting Ray III also featured coil-shock front suspension, dramatically angled headlights and beefy 285/35ZR-18 tires.
The Chevrolet Sizigi (SI-za-gee) concept vehicle went beyond the typical family vans with its advanced convenience and flexibility. Special features included reversible seats, and tracks which allowed those seats to slide forward to create a four-foot square storage space. Other highlights were a sliding table with TV and VCR, a credit-card-type ignition system, dual sunroofs, hidden running boards, and “halo” interior lighting.
Among Ford's exhibits at the 1982 Chicago Auto Show was this Fairmont-based dragstrip car. Lettering on the door promotes Bob Glidden and Motorcraft (Ford's parts division),and 'Competition Cams' lettering is on the huge air-intake system that protrudes from the hood. Super high-performance cars are also popular with race car fans attending the annual windy city automotive extravaganza.
General Motors displayed its futuristic Ultralite four-passenger car in the Oldsmobile exhibit during the 1992 Chicago Auto Show. Weighing in at a mere 1,400 pounds, the smooth styled Ultralite featured stiff, aerodynamic chassis, body and structure were all constructed in weight-saving carbon-fiber. Powered by a rear-mounted GM 1.5 liter three cylinder, two-stroke engine, Ultralite offered up some impressive fuel efficiency numbers (80 mph) and swift performance of 0-to-60 mph in less than 8 seconds. The large side doors rose up gullwing-style for easy access to both front and back seats. Another innovative feature was the modular rear power pod. The pod unit contained the engine, transmission and electronic automatic leveling system; but surprisingly, considering the integrated nature of the chassis, the pod could be removed with relative ease.
Lincoln's Marque X concept convertible, painted a burnt tangerine pearl orange hue, showcased a cab-forward design to maximize the space available for people. This future flagship featured a simulated spare-tire bulge on its decklid, speed-sensitive front underbody spoiler, low-profile fiber optic headlights, 19-inch cast magnesium wheels, and an electronic, speed-sensitive aerodynamic spoiler. Under the hood sat a 32-valve DOHC V-8, matched to a four-speed automatic transmission. A coded "credit card" was used to start the engine, and in the leather cockpit was a voice-activated telephone, navigation system, and fax machine. For rear passengers, the Marque X contained a pop-up TV and dual temperature food and beverage storage container.
Mitsubishi debuted the HSR III in 1991, and first displayed in the United States during the 1992 Chicago Auto Show. Powering the HSR III was a tiny 1.6 liter V-6. The HSR (Highly Sophisticated-transport Research) concept car series began in 1987 with the release of the HSR I. Two years later (1989), the HSR II was born. Last generation was the 1997 HSR-VI prototype.
Major attractions in the Oldsmobile exhibit at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show was the conceptual Anthem four-door sedan, and the imposing structural display that framed the vehicle. Styling elements that made up the Anthem included an aerodynamically sloped hood/fenders, steeply raked windshield, all-glass roof, sweeping instrument panel and airbags on both sides of the front seats. A pivoting, reconfigurable screen, mounted between the front buckets, displayed a full navigation and visual information system. Exterior panels were painted titanium sliver, and complemented by the gray and beige leather interior. A supercharged Quad 4 was installed, but the vehicle also was designed to handle a new two-stroke V-6, which was under development. An example of the 3 liter CDS2/V6 is pictured in the right lower foreground. The sign informs that the engine developed 220 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque, with a 6,000 rpm redline.
Pontiac touted the Salsa as "a fun-loving, multi-faceted personality that fit its California heritage." On the menu were a convertible, a panel delivery, and a hatchback - all in one package. The first two accommodated five-passengers, while the second two -- in chameleon-like quickness -- could handle surfboards and mountain bikes.
Toyota exhibited the ultra light (990 pounds) AXV-IV concept coupe at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show. The handsome little two-seater was propelled by a 804 cc supercharged two-stroke engine that generated 64 horsepower. Initially, the Toyota AXV-IV was displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show in Oct. 1991, before it went on a whole tour.