Few construction jobs are as sought-after as those setting up Detroit's North American International Auto Show.

Cobo Center offers a climate-controlled environment during cold weather and interesting work. More than 1,500 men and women in the building trades descend on Cobo every year, transforming the 700,000-square-foot venue into a glittering showcase for the world's auto manufacturers to show their products.

"It's just a nice, friendly, clean, comfortable place to work during wintertime in Michigan," said IBEW Local 58 journeyman Jim Jones, who has worked on and off setting up the auto show at Cobo since 1966. "And putting on a show like this makes you proud when it's finished; it always looks great."

Scheduled to open Jan. 10, work on the auto show began back in September, as a portion of the hall was available to start setting up GM's display. Move-in for the show, which began in 1907, used to take four days. The show became international in scope in 1989, and this year about 700 vehicles will be displayed.

Equipment from more than 1,000 semi-trucks delivering 14 million pounds of freight are used to set up the show. Tradespeople will lay 75,000-plus yards of carpet and 12 miles of wire. The crafts working to set up the show are carpenters, electricians, iron workers, riggers, stagehands and teamsters.

"Work is down a bit this year because of the economy," said IBEW Local 58 steward Bob McIlhargey, who works for MSO Electric. "The displays have been downsized a little and they're not as elaborate. But there's still a lot of work."

WHEELING AROUND the General Motors display adjusting lighting are John Semerjian and Russell Sowers of IBEW Local 58 and MSO Electric, working at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center.

IRON GRATING for a car lift at the auto show is hefted by Iron Workers Local 25 members Kenneth Thuot, Matt "Smitty" Smith and Eric "Frosted" Frost.