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Record Crowds Open Chicago Auto Show

9 February 1998

Record Crowds Open Chicago Auto Show

    CHICAGO, Feb. 9 -- Mild temperatures and a city always ready
to see the newest offerings of the automotive industry combined for record
opening weekend crowds at the Chicago Auto Show.  The 90th edition of the
nation's largest auto show drew 289,900 car and truck lovers to McCormick
Place in its first two full days.
    "The show is off to a great start and the weather for the remainder of the
week is looking good," said show chairman Ray Scarpelli.  "We don't like to
make projections on attendance, so we'll just keep our fingers crossed and
remain cautiously optimistic that we'll break another overall record by next
Sunday night."
    At Friday night's First Look for Charity, $1.27 million was raised for 12
local organizations.  The record dollars collected at the annual black-tie
preview of the Chicago Auto Show was punctuated by the grand prize drawing for
a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette convertible.  Jeanne Pollard of Chicago gleefully
bounded to the stage to get the keys to the sleek red roadster.
    "It's beautiful!" exclaimed Pollard, an auditor for Arthur Andersen.  "I
don't know if I'll drive it every day or just on weekends, but I can't wait to
get behind the wheel."
    The auto show is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and runs through
Sunday, Feb. 15 at McCormick Place, Lake Shore Drive at 23d Street.

SOURCE  Chicago Auto Dealers Association