Full-disc hubcap reflected the image of a large family during their visit to the 1965 Chicago Auto Show. Note the thin whitewall tire, which were popular at the time. Datsun (Nissan) sold its first car in Chicago at the auto show. Making their world debut that year was the AMC Marlin, Ford Thunderbird Special Landau coupe, and Chevrolet Caprice. Popular concept vehicles included the Dodge Charger II, Mercury Comet Cyclone Sportster and Plymouth VIP. On the right is the Chrysler exhibit in McCormick Place East. For 1965, Chrysler offered three convertibles: Newport, New Yorker and 300L.
Nighttime photo captures people entering the main entrance to the original McCormick Place (1961-1966). The exposition center was located along the lakefront at 23rd Street, and offered more than 300,000 square feet of exhibit room. The annual Chicago Auto Show was held there until a massive fire destroyed the $35 million structure in early 1967. With just four-weeks before show opened, the annual event was moved back to the International Amphitheatre from 1967-1970.
American Motors premiered the new Rambler Marlin at the 1965 Chicago Auto Show. Marlin was a two-door fastback hardtop, based on the intermediate-size Rambler Classic. Chicago was chosen, because it was during the '64 show at McCormick Place that Marlin's predecessor, the Tarpon show car debuted, and received high public acclaim.
Crowds flocked around the exotic Jaguar XK-E roadster during the 1965 Chicago Auto Show. Under the long, front hinged hood, people viewed the new 4.2-liter six-cylinder engine, which replaced the 3.8-liter predecessor. Also new was an all-synchro four-speed manual transmission.
The star of the exhibit for the French-built Simca is the stylish 1000 fastback coupe by Italian designer Bertone. Displayed on both sides of the 1000 are Simca 1500 four-door sedans. At the time, Simca, (Societe Industrielle de Mecanique et de Carrosserie Automobile), was distributed in the United States through Chrysler Corp. dealerships.
British-built Griffith Series 200 sports cars were featured in a small, three-vehicle display booth next to the larger Datsun (Nissan) exhibit. Both were located on the lower level of McCormick Place East. In the foreground, an exposed chassis and power train show off the Ford 289 CID V-8 and all synchromesh, four-speed manual gearbox that were installed at the Syosset, New York plant prior to sale in North America. In the middle of the display is a Griffith Series 200 painted in a non-standard plaid-patterned scheme.
Art Arfons, who set a world land speed record of 536.71 miles per hour on the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah, appeared at the 1965 show with his Green Monster jet car. Arfons mentioned to the press that the Green Monster drank about 68 gallons of kerosene per minute. Arfons also appeared in the Sunbeam Tiger promotions, proudly proclaiming he owned and drove a Tiger sports car.
In 1965, a small booth at the back of the Chicago Auto Show offered daytime driving lights as an aftermarket accessory. For a special show price of one dollar each, the lights were promoted to ensure that you stayed visible to other drivers when driving during the day, even in bad weather or in dim light.
Two beauteous models added live glamour to a production Buick Wildcat that featured a unique electric blue paint and custom interior specially created for display at the 1965 Chicago Auto Show. Note the slogan: "Go First Class…Go Buick – Tops in styling, performance and economy!"
Ford designers had fun with the one-of-a-kind Galaxie 500 LTD show car. Noticeable modifications include the stainless steel and partial padded roof panels, plus luxurious chrome wire wheels. The four-door hardtop concept was stripped of all stock emblems and nameplates, giving the Galaxie 500 LTD a sophisticated, cleaner appearance.
Crowds milling through the Ford exhibit during the 1965 Chicago Auto Show didn’t know that the roof design on the Thunderbird Town Landau show car was a preview of a new feature coming on the 1966 T-Birds. Though it looked sexy, the board B-pillar completely eliminated rear quarter windows and created a wide rearward blind spot. The Town Landau concept also featured European-styled rectangular headlights and a custom grille. Inside the experimental T-bird cabin, the driver faced prototype ‘wrist-twist” hand grips instead of a conventional steering wheel.
A flashy show car, the Imperial LeBaron D'Or was finished in a special paint called Royal Essence Laurel Gold. Accenting the two-door hardtop body was gold pin striping, and the cabin was upholstered in gold-tinted material. The car rolled on special wheels and ultra-thin dual stripe white wall tires.
Based on a 1963 Lincoln 4-door sedan, the1965 Continental Town Brougham show car had a 131-inch wheelbase, 8-inches longer than the production car. Under the long hood was a 320 horsepower, 430 cu. in. V-8, connected to an automatic transmission. Featuring an open chauffeur compartment, the exterior was finished in dark blue. The blue/green metallic-tone leather interior was accented by walnut moldings and large Continental emblems embroidered into the seatbacks. There was a limousine-type division window to separate the driver from passengers, but an intercom keep them in touch.
A custom Mercury four-door sedan was displayed during the 1965 Chicago Auto Show. Searching for information on this FoMoCo prototype.
Oldsmobile’s dream car in 1965 was a one-of-a-kind 4-4-2 convertible equipped with a 400 cubic inch engine. Other performance goodies include large four-barrel carburetion, twin exhausts with chambered tonal tail pipes and other heavy-duty components. A restyled grille and front end devoid of bumper, along with “dished” chromed wheel discs distinguished the custom Olds from production models. The show car was finished in a deep-lustre bittersweet red with matching leather upholstered body-contoured “ astronaut” seats.
A beautiful red 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury convertible featured aftermarket triple-chromed, deep-dish five-spoke rims. Under the hood was one of four V-8 engine, ranging from 230 to 365 horsepower.