Friday afternoon after finishing at the office, my mechanic neighbor and I reinstalled the distributor in my '57 Thunderbird and it started right up and ran smooth and rumbled just right. On that good note, I left for Chicago. The drive was easy and I set cruise control most of the way driving westbound. I snickered at the MANY speeders pulled over along both sides of I 94. The section through Indiana of I 94, I 90 and I 80 continues to be nerve rattleing even after the finish of construction from 2 years ago. Tinley Park is where I am staying at the Wingate. I went to the local Target for a swimsuit to enjoy the indoor pool, here, and found a new 1 Badd Ride Challenger 1:24 in non metallic medium blue with black hood block out, T/A style side stripe and spoiler...engine side badge is 426 Hemi...die cast car is Concept Challenger. I had posted elsewhere the same model as a 1:18 scale. The desk clerk here recommended "The Tin Fish" as a sea food restaurant, and I cannot express enough, my enjoyment of the meal. Plentiful portions, well prepared and flavorful. Staff was attentive without being intrusive. Well worth the 4 hour drive alone. My local Thunderbird forum buddies had saved the Chicago newspaper sections about the auto show and the Dodge Challenger. There are three or four editions for me to post when I get home.

Tonight I'll enjoy a swim, some wine and chocolate in my room and be ready for complimentary breakfast and drive into town for when the doors open to see Challenger. I brought both digital camera and video camera. I plan to buy a program and look of any handouts they might have. A quick sweep perhaps of the other cars (ho hum) and then back on the road eastbound to Detroit's Metro Airport.

Steve