Some of the auto parts steal the whole show

The wax people talk of easier shines. The tool hawkers promisefix-ups can be easier. Starts are easier with special spark plugs.

But for the truly lazy motorist, Rich Hillard has the "easieritem" that beats them all: car washing mitts for kids.

"We've shaped them like animals so the kids love 'em," saidHillard, one of thousands of auto parts and accessories salesmengathered at McCormick Place this week.

"One of these Wash'n Critters (with the Super Scrubbin' Nose)and the kids will actually wanna wash your car for you."

Modern motoring - it's a science, now, developed with psychologyin mind as well as chemistry and physics. And at the AutomotiveParts and Accessories Show - through Thursday at McCormick Place -some 30,000 people are expected to pick over the newest in automobileknow-how of this $97 billion a year industry.

Though it's not open to the public, the public is always inmind. For instance, Dave Gass, owner of Chicago's GemManaufacturing, just knows that some people like to "thumb their noseat the world."

"That's why I keep selling these here," said Gass, pointing atthe hood ornament of a bald little man with his thumb up his nose.

And while Gass isn't quite sure - but knows it nonetheless - thegold 1941 Cadillac-style goddess is going to outsell the chrome onethis year. And the goddess of any color will outsell the rabbit, thefighting fish and the novelty donkey.

In 1970, the world didn't need a better mousetrap - it needed anupholstery color-coordinated litter bag. And Lorneva "Granny"Johnson of National City, Calif. came up with one.

"I've sold about 20 million since then," said Johnson, whosesweet, smiling face adorns every one of the Granny Brand AutomotiveInterior Accessories products, including the door pockets, the fuzzytissue dispensers and the Cool Wheel steering wheel covers.

There is also the Sav-a-Life Deer Alert, a thumb-size,rocket-shaped device that emits an ultra sonic warning signal toalert animals of your trip through the countryside. And there are 1million-candle-power headlights, license frames that look likechains, and horns that play Dixie and scream blasts of "Extra LoudDuel Diesel."

"If everyone had these in California, there wouldn't be anyshootings," said Roger Ray of Alpex Mfg., Omaha, Neb. "They'd justblow each other away with sound."