Saturday 18th February 1961

The 1961 Chicago Auto Show opened at Chicago’s new McCormick Place. For the first time all American and imported cars and trucks were in one vast arena, as the $35 million facility provided over 300,000 square feet of exhibit space. Of more than 400 cars and trucks on view, visitors were able to examine the new compact Buick Special, the Oldsmobile F-85, the Dodge Lancer, and the Pontiac Tempest. The nine-day 53rd edition took over 850 man-hours to prepare.