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Chicago Auto Show: The really big reveals from shows past

The 2024 Chicago Auto Show may seem like a shell of its former self, but it still holds the title of the largest consumer auto show in the United States. It didn't get that reputation simply by being efficiently produced or convenient for locals desperate for something to do in February — it earned it over decades of breaking automotive news and powerhouse reveals, eventually earning an informal designation as America's truck show.  2024 may be a down year for Chicago, but let's not forget all of the great things that have come out of it, historically. Here's a look at some of our staff favorites. Bet you didn't know about a few of these cars that were first revealed in the Windy City.    2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8  I didn't just pick this one as a former Challenger owner, but instead to illustrate just how many cool Chicago debuts we take for granted. Chrysler often chose its home turf to debut new cars, so the few times its unveilings happened elsewhere tend to stick in our minds. The first Challenger SRT-8 was kind of garbage, if we're being honest. I mean, who buys a race-bred, V8-powered muscle car without a limited-slip differential? But the SRT-8 formula evolved over time into something truly special, and what we saw in Chicago was essentially the early version of the Scat Pack, which was ultimately very successful for Dodge. And who would have thought we'd be here, 15 years later, still talking about that debut? And still loving these big Mopars, flaws and all. — Associate Editor Byron Hurd SHO time in Chicago IÂ’ll always have a certain fondness for the return of the Taurus SHO at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. Chicago has always leaned truck and van heavy for press reveals, but every now and then, as this list illustrates, something spicy would appear. The return of the SHO as a high-powered successor to the original that ran from 1989-1999 gave enthusiasts hope for FordÂ’s performance business, especially for sedans. With a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 packing 365 hp, all-wheel drive and five-spoke wheels, the SHO was a nice upgrade from the lower-rung Taurus models. It was a bit more sedate than the original SHOÂ’s Yamaha-sourced V6 that teamed with a five-speed manual transmission, but still a worthy response to the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and later the Chevy SS. The SHO — Super High Output — begat things like the Fusion ST and gave Ford solid four-door performance for the rest of the decade.

Win the 'ultimate 80s muscle car,' a Buick Grand National GNX

Poll the Autoblog staff about which car is considered the ultimate '80s muscle car, and one of the two answers that'll come up is the Buick Grand National. The other, for those curious, is the Mustang GT 5.0, but that less important right now because Omaze isn't giving away one of those. It is, however, giving away a 1987 Grand National GNX, with an astonishingly low 2,000 original miles, and you can win it here. Win a 1987 Buick Grand National GNX - Enter at Omaze Here are the specs of the GNX, per Omaze: Max Seating: 5 Powertrain: Turbo 3.8 Liter V6 Engine Transmission: 4-speed automatic    Drivetrain: RWD Exterior Color: Black Interior Color: Grey/Black Horsepower: 276 hp Torque: 360 lb-ft Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds Top Speed: 124 mph Fuel Capacity: 15.1 gal Approximate Retail Value: $185,000 Cash Alt: $138,750 Special features: Only 2,000 original miles; #51 of 547 produced; blacked out exterior; 16-inch cross-weave wheels; wheel arches; torque arm rear suspension  According to Omaze, "no donation or payment is necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes." If you do choose to donate, $10 will get you 20 entries, while $50 will get you 500 entries and $100 will get you 1,200 entries. Donations benefit the ACLU. Per Omaze, “the ACLU is an organization of people who believe in the power of action. Whether in the courts, statehouses, or Congress, they fight to defend the rights that the Constitution guarantees to all of us — regardless of who we are, where we come from, who we love, or what we believe. The ACLU evolved from an organization of lawyers and advocates into a larger coalition of people fighting for whatÂ’s right together — for all of us. The ACLU seeks to be the place where people can come, no matter their political affiliation, to take action. ” If you want this relic of the 80s in your driveway, enter here. The deadline to enter is November 3, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Buick Commerce deals buick grand national

GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect

2010 Buick Enclave - Click above for high-res image gallery
The summer of 2010's recall hit parade continues unabated today, with General Motors having just announced that it is asking 243,403 owners of its 2009-2010 Lambda crossovers to bring their three-row haulers in for inspection. The culprit? Second-row seat belts in select Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook CUVs have "failed to perform properly in a crash."
According to GM, a second-row seat-side trim piece is to blame, as it can impede the upward rotation of the buckle after the seat is folded flat. As a result, if the buckle makes contact with the seat frame, cosmetic damage can occur, potentially requiring additional force to operate the buckle properly. So far, no great shakes, but in the process of applying that additional force, the occupant may push the buckle cover down to the strap, potentially revealing and depressing the red release button. As a result of this, the belt may not latch, or in certain cases, it may actually appear to be latched when, in fact, it isn't.