My hair smells like diesel fuel
Not that I'm complaining mind you. The reason it smells like diesel is because I made the trip down to McCormick Place on day 1 of the Chicago Auto Show. Well, OK, not actually day 1, really, but kind of pre-auto show day 1. Ish. Today is the first day that manufacturers begin moving into the 1.3 million square-feet of show room space. So, rather than all the pretty bejeweled displays, there were a lot of boxes, crates, forklifts and harried workers scurrying around as they hustled to unload about 400 semi trucks worth of stuff.
Needless to say the scent of diesel in the South Hall was overwhelming and has clung to my hair and clothes for more than 14 hours. But it was more than worth it. I had never seen the first-day bustle, and it was mind boggling. But then again, when 4/5ths of everything that gets moved into the space is moved in during the first 16 hours, what can you expect?
The Chicago Auto Show is the nation's largest (dare I say, best?) auto show, and amazingly it's put together in just 7 short days. Or long days depending on how you look at it. Workers will be on the clock around the clock at McCormick Place until the media preview days, which begin Feb. 6.
After today I have a whole new appreciation for what it takes to put on the show. Follow our video coverage on the Auto Show Web site, and you can see what the first day (ish) of the auto show looks like. The only thing missing is eau de diesel fuel.