Featuring: Jack B. and Bark M.
It seems that I’ve been neglecting the Retro Show posts. I have all of these excellent photos from my buddy Jim Smith from various and sundry Chicago Auto Shows from 1973 through 1991. Jim himself has attended every Chicago Auto Show from 1968 to 2019. But you know how it goes. I get distracted by bright, Broughamy objects and forget. Sorry folks! The last Retro Show post, only the third one ever, was published back in May of 2018. Well, it’s time to correct that right now.
Cadillac Eldorado
It’s time again for another visit to the Chicago Auto Show, thanks to my friend Jim Smith. You see, he’s been attending the event for fifty years. And took quite a few pictures in that time. Lucky for us! So let’s dive into a world of Broughamage and wood-sided wagons, and see what kind of new rolling stock is on display!
Time for another trip in the Wayback machine to look at the 1981-83 Imperial, courtesy of my friend Jim Smith. He thoughtfully took pictures of brand new luxury cars back when Brougham was still in, the tops were padded and opera lamps were expected!
The 1981 Imperial was Lee Iacocca’s last try at the Continental Mark III formula: Long, low, sleek, with every available convenience, a long hood, a short deck, and Broughamed out to the gills.
My good friend, Jim Smith, recently celebrated his 50th annual visit to the Chicago Auto Show. I’ve known Jim for several years thanks to Facebook, and have bought myriad dealer promo models and vintage brochures from him as well. As a fellow gearhead and Broughamophile, he has taken many pictures at the show for decades-well before it was cheap and easy as it is today with smartphones. Just this past weekend he posted a number of terrific pictures to my favorite Facebook group, The American Brougham Society. I was bowled over by them, and Jim has graciously agreed to let me share them here on RG. Continue Reading →