GATX CORP
S-3, 1997-05-16
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
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<PAGE>   1
 
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 16, 1997
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                                GATX CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                 <C>
                     NEW YORK                                           36-1124040
             (State of incorporation)                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                             500 WEST MONROE STREET
                          CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661-3676
                                 (312) 621-6200
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
              including area code, of principal executive offices)
 
                               DAVID B. ANDERSON
                     VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
                         GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                             500 WEST MONROE STREET
                          CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661-3676
                                 (312) 621-6200
               (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
               number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                 <C>
                 PHILIP J. NIEHOFF                                   ALLAN G. SPERLING
               MAYER, BROWN & PLATT                         CLEARY, GOTTLIEB, STEEN & HAMILTON
             190 SOUTH LASALLE STREET                                ONE LIBERTY PLAZA
              CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10006
</TABLE>
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: [ ]
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=============================================================================================================================
                                                                   PROPOSED             PROPOSED
                                                                   MAXIMUM               MAXIMUM
        TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF               AMOUNT TO BE       OFFERING PRICE          AGGREGATE              AMOUNT OF
      SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED           REGISTERED(1)        PER SHARE(2)       OFFERING PRICE(2)      REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                                        <C>                 <C>                 <C>                    <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock ($.625 par value).........    3,897,477 shares        $57.3125           $223,374,151              $67,690
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Maximum number of shares issuable upon conversion of 3,390,880 shares of the
    Registrant's $3.875 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ($1.00 par
    value).
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee, based on
    the average of the high and low sales prices on the New York Stock Exchange
    Composite Tape on May 13, 1997.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                                                                       GATX Logo
PROSPECTUS
 
3,897,477 SHARES
GATX CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
($.625 PAR VALUE)
 
This Prospectus relates to the sale from time to time by Salomon Brothers Inc
(the "Purchaser") of a maximum of 3,897,477 shares of Common Stock, par value
$.625 per share ("Common Stock"), of GATX Corporation, a New York corporation
(the "Company"), that may be acquired by the Purchaser either (i) upon
conversion of the $3.875 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00
per share (the "Convertible Preferred Stock"), of the Company or (ii) under the
standby arrangements described herein.
 
The Company has called all of the shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock (the
"Convertible Preferred Shares") for redemption on June 16, 1997 (the "Redemption
Date") at a redemption price equal to $51.1625 per share, plus an amount equal
to unpaid dividends accrued thereon from May 1, 1997 through the Redemption Date
of $0.4951 per share, for a total redemption price of $51.6576 per share (the
"Redemption Price"). No dividends will accrue on the Convertible Preferred
Shares from and after the Redemption Date. The Convertible Preferred Shares are
convertible into shares of Common Stock at the conversion price of $43.50 per
share of Common Stock (equivalent to a conversion rate of 1.1494 shares of
Common Stock per Convertible Preferred Share), until 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on
the Redemption Date, at which time the conversion privilege terminates. Cash
will be paid in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock. No payment or
adjustment will be made for dividends accrued on Convertible Preferred Shares
surrendered for conversion.
 
In the event that less than all the Convertible Preferred Shares are surrendered
for conversion prior to the expiration of convertibility on the Redemption Date,
the Company has made arrangements with the Purchaser to purchase from the
Company, at the Company's option, such number of shares of Common Stock as would
have been issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares that have
not been surrendered for conversion prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the
Redemption Date. The Purchaser may also purchase Convertible Preferred Shares in
the open market or otherwise prior to expiration of convertibility on the
Redemption Date, and any Convertible Preferred Shares so purchased will be
converted into Common Stock. See "Standby Arrangements" for a description of the
Purchaser's compensation and indemnification arrangements with the Company. The
Common Stock is traded through the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the
symbol "GMT." On May 15, 1997, the reported closing price of the Common Stock on
the NYSE was $57.00 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend
Policy."
 
THE CONVERTIBILITY OF THE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
EASTERN TIME, ON JUNE 16, 1997. THE COMPANY HAS DECLARED A DIVIDEND ON ITS
COMMON STOCK OF $0.46 PER SHARE PAYABLE TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD ON JUNE
13, 1997, AND HOLDERS OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK MUST THEREFORE CONVERT
THEIR SHARES BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THAT DATE TO RECEIVE COMMON STOCK
ENTITLED TO THAT DIVIDEND. NO DIVIDENDS ON THE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES THAT
HAVE ACCRUED FOR THE PERIOD COMMENCING MAY 1, 1997 WILL BE PAID ON ANY
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES CONVERTED INTO COMMON STOCK.
 
A HOLDER WHO CONVERTED CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES ON MAY 15, 1997 WOULD HAVE
RECEIVED COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING CASH IN LIEU OF ANY FRACTIONAL SHARE) HAVING A
MARKET VALUE OF $65.5158 FOR EACH CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARE, BASED ON THE
REPORTED CLOSING PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NYSE ON THAT DATE. IF SUCH
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES WERE SURRENDERED FOR REDEMPTION ON THE REDEMPTION
DATE, SUCH HOLDER WOULD RECEIVE $51.6576 IN CASH FOR EACH CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED
SHARE. WHILE NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN AS TO ANY FUTURE PRICES FOR THE COMMON
STOCK, AS LONG AS THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK (AFTER GIVING EFFECT TO
COMMISSIONS AND OTHER COSTS OF SALE) REMAINS AT OR ABOVE $44.9431 PER SHARE,
UPON CONVERSION OF THEIR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES, HOLDERS WILL RECEIVE
COMMON STOCK AND CASH FOR FRACTIONAL SHARES HAVING A CURRENT MARKET VALUE EQUAL
TO OR GREATER THAN THE REDEMPTION PRICE, AND WILL ALSO BE ENTITLED TO A $0.46
PER SHARE DIVIDEND ON COMMON STOCK IF THEY ARE RECORD HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK ON
JUNE 13, 1997. It should be noted, however, that the price of the Common Stock
received upon conversion will fluctuate in the market, and that Holders may
incur various expenses of sale if such Common Stock is sold.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
Both on or prior to and after the Redemption Date, the Purchaser may offer to
the public Common Stock, including shares acquired through the purchase and
conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares, at prices set from time to time
by the Purchaser. The Purchaser may also make sales to dealers at prices which
represent concessions from the prices at which such shares are being offered to
the public. The Purchaser may thus realize profits or losses independent of the
compensation referred to under "Standby Arrangements." Any Common Stock will be
offered by the Purchaser when, as and if accepted by the Purchaser and subject
to its right to reject orders in whole or in part.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The date of this Prospectus is May 16, 1997.
<PAGE>   3
 
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE PURCHASER MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, WHICH MAY MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF
THE COMMON STOCK. SEE "STANDBY ARRANGEMENTS."
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Company may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room
1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
Regional Offices at Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048 and at
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of
such material can also be obtained upon written request addressed to the
Commission, Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates, or from the Commission's worldwide web site at
http://www.sec.gov. Such reports and other information concerning the Company
can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
("NYSE"), 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 and the Chicago Stock
Exchange, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act"), with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain
items of which are contained in exhibits to the Registration Statement as
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements made in
this Prospectus as to the content of any contract, agreement or other document
referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such contract,
agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
reference is made to the Registration Statement, which may be inspected and
copied in the manner and at the sources described above.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant
to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
     (1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
         31, 1996 and Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A;
 
     (2) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
         31, 1997; and
 
     (3) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 23, 1997.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in any
subsequently filed document which is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than
exhibits thereto, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into the information that this Prospectus incorporates). Written or
telephone requests for such copies should be directed to the Company's principal
office: GATX Corporation, 500 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3676,
Attention: Assistant Corporate Secretary (telephone: (312) 621-6603).
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a holding company whose direct and indirect subsidiaries
engage in the leasing and management of railroad tank cars and specialized
freight cars; provide equipment and capital asset financing and related
services; own and operate tank storage terminals, pipelines and related
facilities; provide distribution and logistics support services and warehousing
facilities; and engage in Great Lakes shipping. The principal executive offices
of the Company are located at 500 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661-3676, (telephone: (312) 621-6200).
 
     Railcar Leasing and Management. General American Transportation Corporation
("Transportation"), the railcar leasing and management business of the Company,
is principally engaged in leasing specialized railcars, primarily tank cars,
under full service leases. As of December 31, 1996, its North American fleet
consisted of approximately 77,500 railcars, including 60,400 tank cars and
17,100 specialized freight cars, primarily Airslide(TM) covered hopper cars and
plastic pellet cars. In addition to its roughly 66,900 railcars in the United
States, Transportation has approximately 9,000 railcars in its Canadian fleet
and 1,600 railcars in its Mexican fleet.
 
     Financial Services. The financial services business of the Company,
operating through GATX Capital Corporation ("GATX Capital"), provides
asset-based financing of transportation, information technology and industrial
equipment through capital leases, secured equipment loans and operating leases.
GATX Capital also provides related financial services which include the
arrangement of lease transactions for investment by other lessors and the
management of lease portfolios for third parties.
 
     Terminals and Pipelines. GATX Terminals Corporation ("Terminals") is
engaged in the storage, handling and intermodal transfer of petroleum and
chemical commodities at key points in the bulk liquid distribution chain. All of
its terminals are located near major distribution and transportation points and
most are capable of receiving and shipping bulk liquids by ship, rail, barge and
truck. Many of the terminals also are linked with major interstate pipelines. In
addition to storing, handling and transferring bulk liquids, Terminals provides
blending and testing services at most of its facilities. Terminals owns and
operates 26 terminals in 11 states, and seven terminals in the United Kingdom.
Terminals also has joint venture interests in 14 international facilities.
Additionally, Terminals owns or holds interests in four refined product pipeline
systems.
 
     Logistics and Warehousing. GATX Logistics, Inc. ("Logistics") is one of the
largest third-party providers of distribution and logistics support services and
warehousing facilities in the United States. Logistics operates 106 facilities
covering approximately 22 million square feet of warehousing space in North
America with utilization of 91% at the end of 1996. Value-adding services are
strategically the most important benefit GATX Logistics provides. Examples of
these services are logistics planning, information management, just-in-time
delivery systems, packaging, sub-assembly, freight management and returns
management.
 
     Great Lakes Shipping. American Steamship Company ("ASC"), with the largest
carrying capacity of the domestic Great Lakes fleets, provides modern and
efficient waterborne transportation of dry bulk materials to the integrated
steel, electric utility and construction industries. In 1996, ASC carried 24.6
million tons of cargo. ASC primarily transports iron ore, limestone aggregates
and coal. Other commodities transported include sand, salt, potash, gypsum,
grain, marble chips and slag.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from any sale of the Common
Stock to the Purchaser pursuant to the standby arrangements described herein
will be used to effect redemption of the Convertible Preferred Stock not
tendered for conversion. The number of shares of Common Stock to be acquired by
the Purchaser from the Company, and therefore the proceeds of this offering,
will not be determinable until the close of business on the Redemption Date. The
Company will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the Common Stock on
conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company's Common Stock is listed on the NYSE (as well as on the Chicago
Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange) and is traded under the symbol
"GMT." The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the
high and low sales prices per share of the Common Stock as reported on the NYSE,
and the cash dividends declared per share of Common Stock. The reported closing
price of the Common Stock on the NYSE on May 15, 1997 was $57.00.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             HIGH       LOW
                                                             ----       ---
<S>                                                         <C>       <C>
1995
  First Quarter...........................................  $47.25    $40.375
  Second Quarter..........................................   47.125    42.125
  Third Quarter...........................................   54.25     47.00
  Fourth Quarter..........................................   52.875    47.25
1996
  First Quarter...........................................   51.25     44.00
  Second Quarter..........................................   48.375    43.00
  Third Quarter...........................................   49.125    43.00
  Fourth Quarter..........................................   51.25     46.125
1997
  First Quarter...........................................   50.50     47.50
  Second Quarter (through May 15, 1997)...................   58.875    48.125
</TABLE>
 
     The Company paid annual cash dividends of $1.60 per share in 1995 and $1.72
in 1996. In January 1997, the Board of Directors approved a 7% increase in the
quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share of Common Stock, or $1.84 on an annual
basis. The Company paid a dividend of $0.46 per share in respect of the first
quarter of 1997 and has declared a dividend of $0.46 per share in respect of the
second quarter payable June 30, 1997 to shareholders of record on June 13, 1997.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The authorized capitalization of the Company is 60,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $.625 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par
value $1.00 per share ("Preferred Stock"). The Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended ("Charter"), authorizes the issuance of Preferred
Stock from time to time in one or more series with such terms (including
dividend rates and preferences, liquidation preferences, voting rights,
redemption provisions, conversion privileges, and all such other rights to the
extent permitted by New York law) as are determined by resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Company, without further stockholder action, and which are
consistent with the provisions regarding Preferred Stock set forth in the
Charter. Pursuant to sec.502 of the New York Business Corporation Law, all
shares of Preferred Stock share ratably in any payments or distributions in the
event of non-payment in full of dividends or amounts payable in liquidation. As
of March 7, 1997, the Company had 20,342,269 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding, an aggregate of 27,825 shares of Preferred Stock designated as
$2.50 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and $2.50 Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock, Series B (these series are together referred to herein as
"$2.50
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock") issued and outstanding, and 3,390,880
shares of Preferred Stock designated as Convertible Preferred Stock issued and
outstanding which have been called for redemption on June 16, 1997.
 
     Holders of the $2.50 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and Common
Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held. Except in certain specified
instances, holders of the $2.50 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and
Common Stock vote together as a single class.
 
$2.50 CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Holders of the $2.50 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to
receive cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate of $2.50 per share out of
surplus legally available for dividends. Each share is convertible at the option
of the holder at any time into 2.5 shares of Common Stock. The conversion rate
is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. In the
event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of
such preferred stock will be entitled to receive $60 per share plus accrued
unpaid dividends to the date of payment.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     The holders of the Common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and
as declared by the Board of Directors after full dividends on shares of the
outstanding Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods have been declared and
paid or set apart. On liquidation, the holders of the Common Stock share ratably
in the distribution of assets of the Company after payment of preferential
amounts to holders of Preferred Stock. Holders of the Common Stock have no
preemptive rights and no liability to further calls or to assessment by the
Company. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
Preferred Stock or pursuant to the standby agreement referred to under "Standby
Arrangements" will upon issuance be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
 
     ChaseMellon Shareholder Services is the transfer agent and registrar for
the Common Stock. The Common Stock is listed on the New York, Chicago and London
Stock Exchanges.
 
                              STANDBY ARRANGEMENTS
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions in the Standby Agreement
dated May 16, 1997 between the Company and the Purchaser (the "Standby
Agreement"), the Purchaser has agreed to purchase from the Company, at the
Company's option, for settlement on June 17, 1997, such number of shares of
Common Stock as would have been issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
Preferred Shares that were not surrendered for conversion on or prior to the
Redemption Date for a purchase price equal to the aggregate Redemption Price of
such Convertible Preferred Shares.
 
     On or prior to the Redemption Date, the Purchaser may also purchase
Convertible Preferred Shares in the open market or otherwise. The Purchaser has
agreed to convert into Common Stock all Convertible Preferred Shares owned by
it. Such Common Stock may be used by the Purchaser to cover any short position
in the Common Stock established by the Purchaser.
 
     The Company has been advised by the Purchaser that it proposes to offer for
resale to the public at prices set from time to time by the Purchaser any shares
of Common Stock purchased from the Company or acquired upon conversion and not
used to cover any short position. The Purchaser may also make sales of such
shares to certain securities dealers at prices that may reflect concessions from
the prices at which such shares are then being offered to the public. The amount
of such concessions will be determined from time to time by the Purchaser.
 
     Pursuant to the terms of the Standby Agreement and in consideration of its
obligations thereunder, the Company has agreed to pay the Purchaser the sum of
(i) $2,277,143 and (ii) if the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
purchased by the Purchaser pursuant to the Standby Agreement exceeds 194,873
shares, an additional $1.57 per share for the aggregate number of shares of
Common
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
Stock purchased or received upon conversion by the Purchaser pursuant to the
Standby Agreement. Additionally, the Purchaser has agreed to pay to the Company
50% of the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate proceeds received by the
Purchaser from the sale of shares of Common Stock purchased by it from the
Company pursuant to the Standby Agreement (net of selling concessions and other
reasonable expenses of sale and any transfer taxes) over (ii) an amount equal to
$44.94 multiplied by the number of such shares sold by the Purchaser.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Purchaser against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or
contribute to payments the Purchaser may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Company has agreed that it will not, from the date of the Standby
Agreement through the Redemption Date (and, in the event that the Purchaser
purchases in excess of 194,873 shares of Common Stock, for an additional period
of 90 days after the Redemption Date), without the prior written consent of the
Purchaser, with certain exceptions, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell,
sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to
sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or
dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce the offering of, any shares of
Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for Common Stock (whether such shares or any such securities are now owned by
the Company or are hereafter acquired) or (ii) enter into any swap or other
arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction
described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common
Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The Company's executive
officers have entered into similar agreements with the Purchaser.
 
     The Purchaser has performed investment banking services for the Company
from time to time in the ordinary course of its business.
 
     In connection with the sale of Common Stock to the Purchaser pursuant to
the Standby Agreement, the Purchaser may purchase shares of the Convertible
Preferred Stock, which may result in the maintenance of the price of the Common
Stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market or
may otherwise affect the market price of the Common Stock. Such purchases are
not required, and, if they are undertaken, they may be discontinued at any time.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the sale of the Common Stock
offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by David B. Anderson, Vice
President, Corporate Development, General Counsel and Secretary to the Company,
and by Mayer, Brown & Platt, Chicago, Illinois, and for the Purchaser by Cleary,
Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, New York, New York. Mr. Anderson owns 3,401 shares
of the Common Stock of the Company and holds previously granted options which
are exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof for an additional 10,000
shares of the Common Stock of the Company.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of GATX Corporation incorporated by
reference in GATX Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1996, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION, OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE PURCHASER. NEITHER THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PAGE
                                          ----
<S>                                       <C>
Available Information...................    2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference.............................    2
The Company.............................    3
Use of Proceeds.........................    4
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend
  Policy................................    4
Description of Capital Stock............    4
Standby Arrangements....................    5
Legal Opinions..........................    6
Experts.................................    6
</TABLE>
 
3,897,477 SHARES
 
GATX CORPORATION
 
COMMON STOCK
($.625 PAR VALUE)
                                 LOGO
- -------------------------------------------------
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS
 
DATED MAY 16, 1997
<PAGE>   9
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following are the estimated expenses in connection with the
distribution of the securities being registered:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee.........    $ 67,690
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................      16,000
Attorneys' Fees and Expenses................................      50,000
Printing and Engraving Expenses.............................      45,000
NYSE Listing Fees...........................................      13,642
Miscellaneous...............................................       7,668
                                                                --------
  Total.....................................................    $200,000
                                                                ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     (a) Certain provisions of the New York Business Corporation Law and Article
II, Section 11 of the Company's ByLaws provide for the prompt indemnification of
directors and officers under certain conditions including the possibility of
indemnification against liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. The
By-Laws also provide that the Company has the burden of proving that a director
is not entitled to indemnification in a particular instance.
 
     (b) To the fullest extent permitted by the New York Business Corporation
Law, as presently in effect or hereinafter amended, the Company's certificate of
incorporation also provides that directors of the Company shall not have
personal liability to the Company or to its stockholders for damages for any
breach of duty in the directors' capacity as such, except (1) the liability of
any director if a judgment or final adjudication adverse to him establishes that
his acts or omissions were in bad-faith or involved intentional misconduct or
knowing violation of the law or that he personally gained a financial profit or
other advantage to which he was not legally entitled or that his acts violated
Section 719 of the New York Business Corporation Law or any successor thereto,
or (2) the liability of any director for any act or omission prior to the
adoption of a provision authorized by this paragraph.
 
     (c) In addition, the Company has a directors and officers liability
insurance policy and such directors and officers may be indemnified by the
Purchaser pursuant to the Standby Agreement.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
     A list of the exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is
set forth in the Exhibit Index which immediately precedes such exhibits and
which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
             (i) to include any Prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the Registration Statement; provided that, notwithstanding the
        foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if
        the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
        was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
        estimated maximum offering range, if any, may be reflected in the form
        of prospectus filed with the
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   10
 
        Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
        volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the
        maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
             (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in the Registration
        Statement;
 
     Provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and
     (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
     post-effective amendment by these paragraphs is contained in periodic
     reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in
     this Registration Statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
          (4) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
     13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
     incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to
     be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
     and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 15, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   11
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Chicago and State of Illinois on the 16th day of May, 1997.
 
                                          GATX CORPORATION
 
                                          By       /s/ RONALD H. ZECH
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Ronald H. Zech
                                            Chairman of the Board, President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
Ronald H. Zech, David M. Edwards and David B. Anderson and each of them, the
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done,
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 16th day of May, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                              TITLE
<C>                                           <S>
            /s/ RONALD H. ZECH                Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
- ------------------------------------------    Officer
              Ronald H. Zech
 
           /s/ DAVID M. EDWARDS               Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------------------------
             David M. Edwards
 
           /s/ RALPH L. O'HARA                Controller and Principal Accounting Officer
- ------------------------------------------
             Ralph L. O'Hara
 
            /s/ JAMES M. DENNY                Director
- ------------------------------------------
              James M. Denny
 
          /s/ RICHARD FAIRBANKS               Director
- ------------------------------------------
            Richard Fairbanks
 
           /s/ WILLIAM C. FOOTE               Director
- ------------------------------------------
             William C. Foote
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                              TITLE
<C>                                           <S>
           /s/ DEBORAH M. FRETZ               Director
- ------------------------------------------
             Deborah M. Fretz
 
          /s/ RICHARD A. GIESEN               Director
- ------------------------------------------
            Richard A. Giesen
 
            /s/ MILES L. MARSH                Director
- ------------------------------------------
              Miles L. Marsh
 
           /s/ CHARLES MARSHALL               Director
- ------------------------------------------
             Charles Marshall
 
          /s/ MICHAEL E. MURPHY               Director
- ------------------------------------------
            Michael E. Murphy
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   13
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<S>     <S>
 1.1    Standby Agreement
 4.1    Restated Certificate of the Company, as amended
        (incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on
        Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, file
        number 1-2328).
 4.2    By-Laws of the Company, as amended and restated as of July
        29, 1994 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual
        Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
        1994, file number 1-2328).
 5.1    Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt
23.1    Consent of Mayer, Brown & Platt (contained in opinion filed
        as Exhibit 5.1)
23.2    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
24.1    Power of Attorney (contained on signature page)
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1

                                GATX Corporation

                 $3.875 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

                               Standby Agreement

                                                             New York, New York
                                                             May 16, 1997

Salomon Brothers Inc
Seven World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     GATX Corporation, a New York corporation (the "Company"), intends to call
for redemption on June 16, 1997 (the "Redemption Date"), all of its outstanding
$3.875 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Redeemable Securities") at
$51.1625 per share, plus accrued dividends from May 1, 1997 to the Redemption
Date of $.4951, for a total redemption price of $51.6576 (the "Redemption
Price") per share of Redeemable Securities.  The Redeemable Securities are
convertible into shares of the Common Stock, $.625 par value, of the Company
("Common Stock") at any time prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
Redemption Date.

     In order to ensure that the Company will have available sufficient funds
to redeem any Redeemable Securities not converted prior to or on the Redemption
Date, the Company desires to make arrangements pursuant to which Salomon
Brothers Inc (the "Purchaser") will, following the Redemption Date, purchase
shares of Common Stock that would have been issuable upon the conversion of the
Redeemable Securities that have not been surrendered for conversion prior to
5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Redemption Date.

     1. Representations and Warranties.  The Company represents and warrants to,
and agrees with, the Purchaser as set forth below in this Section 1.  Certain
terms used in this Section 1 are defined in paragraph (g) hereof.

        (a) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the
  Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") and has filed with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement (file number
  333-____) on such Form, including a related preliminary prospectus, for the
  registration under the Act of the issuance by the Company of the shares of
  Common Stock issuable upon conversion by the Purchaser of Redeemable
  Securities and the sale by the Purchaser of any shares of Common Stock that
  may be acquired by it hereunder.  The Company may have filed one or more
  amendments thereto, including the related preliminary prospectus, each of
  which

<PAGE>   2


  has previously been furnished to you.  The Company will next file with the
  Commission one of the following:  (i) prior to effectiveness of such
  registration statement, a further amendment to such registration      
  statement, including the form of final prospectus, (ii) a final prospectus in
  accordance with Rules 430A and 424(b)(1) or (4) or (iii) a final prospectus
  in accordance with Rules 415 and 424(b)(2) or (5).  In the case of clause
  (ii), the Company has included in such registration statement, as amended at
  the Effective Date, all information (other than Rule 430A Information)
  required by the Act and the rules thereunder to be included in the Prospectus
  with respect to the Securities (as defined below) and the offering thereof. 
  As filed, such amendment and form of final prospectus, or such final
  prospectus, shall contain all Rule 430A Information, together with all other
  such required information, with respect to the Securities and the offering
  thereof and, except to the extent the Purchaser shall agree in writing to a
  modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to
  you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the
  Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and
  other changes (beyond those contained in the latest Preliminary Prospectus)
  as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included
  or made therein.  If the Registration Statement contains the undertaking
  specified by Regulation S-K Item 512(a), the Registration Statement, at the
  Execution Time, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x).

        (b) On the Effective Date, the Registration Statement did or will, and
  when the Prospectus is first filed (if required) in accordance with Rule
  424(b) and, on the Redemption Date, on the Redemption Date and on the Closing
  Date (as hereinafter defined), the Prospectus (and any supplements thereto)
  will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
  Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the
  respective rules thereunder; on the Effective Date, the Registration
  Statement did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
  or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
  in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and, on the Effective
  Date, the Prospectus, if not filed pursuant to Rule 424(b), did not or will
  not, and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b), on the Redemption
  Date, on the Redemption Date and on the Closing Date, the Prospectus
  (together with any supplement thereto) will not, include any untrue statement
  of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to
  make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
  they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no
  representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted
  from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto)
  in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to
  the Company by or on behalf of the Purchaser specifically for inclusion in
  the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto).

        (c) The Redeemable Securities are convertible into Common Stock at a
  rate of 1.1494 shares of Common Stock per share of Redeemable Securities. At
  the Execution Time, there were outstanding 3,390,880 shares of Redeemable
  Securities; the redemption of all the outstanding Redeemable Securities has
  been duly authorized by the Company;

                                       2

<PAGE>   3


  by the close of business on the date of execution hereof, all the
  Redeemable Securities will have been duly called for redemption in accordance
  with the certificate of incorporation of the Company (the "Certificate of
  Incorporation"); and the right to convert the Redeemable Securities into
  shares of Common Stock will, as a result of such call, expire at 5:00 P.M.,
  New York City time, on the Redemption Date.  A copy of the form of
  notice of redemption and the related letter of transmittal (collectively, the
  "Notice of Redemption") has been heretofore delivered to you by the Company. 
  The Redeemable Securities have been duly and validly authorized and issued
  and are fully paid and nonassessable.

        (d) The Company has neither taken nor will take, directly or
  indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or that has
  constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in,
  stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to
  facilitate the conversion of the Redeemable Securities.

        (e) The Company has neither paid or given, nor will pay or give,
  directly or indirectly, any commission or other remuneration for soliciting
  the conversion of Redeemable Securities into Common Stock and cash.

        (f) None of the issue and sale of the Securities (as hereinafter
  defined), the consummation of any other of the transactions herein
  contemplated or the fulfillment of the terms hereof will conflict with,
  result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any law or
  the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of the Company or the terms of any
  material indenture or other material agreement or instrument to which the
  Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or is bound that is material to
  the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any judgment, order or
  decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court,
  regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator
  having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

        (g) The terms which follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the
  meanings indicated.  The term "Effective Date" shall mean each date that the
  Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto
  became or become effective and each date after the date hereof on which a
  document incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement is filed. 
  "Execution Time" shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed
  and delivered by the parties hereto.  "Preliminary Prospectus" shall mean any
  preliminary prospectus referred to in paragraph (a) above and any preliminary
  prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Date that
  omits Rule 430A Information.  "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus relating
  to the Securities that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the
  Execution Time or, if no filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) is required, shall
  mean the form of final prospectus relating to the Securities included in the
  Registration Statement at the Effective Date. "Registration Statement" shall
  mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph (a) above, including
  incorporated documents, exhibits and financial statements, as amended at the
  Execution Time (or, if not effective at the Execution Time,

                                       3

<PAGE>   4


      in the form in which it shall become effective) and, in the event any
      post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective prior to the Closing
      Date (as hereinafter defined), shall also mean such registration
      statement as so amended.  Such term shall include any Rule 430A
      Information deemed to be  included therein at the Effective Date as
      provided by Rule 430A.  "Rule 415," "Rule 424," "Rule 430A" and
      "Regulation S-K" refer to such rules or regulation under the Act.  "Rule
      430A Information" means information with respect to the Securities and
      the offering thereof permitted to be omitted from the Registration
      Statement when it becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A.  Any reference
      herein to the Registration Statement, a Preliminary Prospectus or the
      Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents
      incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which
      were filed under the Exchange Act on or before the Effective Date of the
      Registration Statement or the issue date of such Preliminary Prospectus
      or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the
      terms "amend", "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the
      Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus
      shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under
      the Exchange Act after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement,
      or the issue date of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the
      case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.

           (h) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order
      suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect;
      and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the
      knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission.

           (i) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly
      incorporated, is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
      the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, is duly qualified
      to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation under the
      laws of each jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the
      conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the
      failure so to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the
      Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and has the power and
      authority necessary to own or hold its property and to conduct the
      business in which it is engaged.

           (j) The Company's authorized equity capitalization is as set forth
      in the Prospectus; the capital stock of the Company (including the
      Redeemable Securities) conforms in all material respects to the
      description thereof contained in the Prospectus; the outstanding shares
      of Common Stock have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
      fully paid and nonassessable; the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
      conversion of the Redeemable Securities have been duly and validly
      authorized and, when issued and delivered upon conversion of the
      Redeemable Securities in accordance with the Certificate of
      Incorporation, will be fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of
      all liens and restrictions on transfer; the Purchased Securities have
      been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered to and
      paid for by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid
      and nonassessable and free and clear of all liens and restrictions on
      transfer; the Purchased Securities have been, or prior to the

                                       4

<PAGE>   5


      Closing Date will be, and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
      conversion of the Redeemable Securities have been, duly and validly
      authorized for listing, subject to official notice of issuance, on the
      New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the London Stock
      Exchange; the certificates for the Securities are in valid and sufficient
      form; and the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the
      Company are not entitled to preemptive or other rights to subscribe for
      the Securities or the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
      the Redeemable Securities.

           (k) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
      by the Company.

           (l) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation
      of its corporate charter or bylaws or in default under any agreement,
      indenture or instrument, the effect of which violation or default would
      be material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and,
      except such as has been obtained under the Act and such as may be
      required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction, no consent,
      authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any court or
      governmental agency is required for the execution, delivery and
      performance of this Agreement.

           (m) Except as described in the Registration Statement and the
      Prospectus, there has not been any material adverse change in, or any
      adverse development which materially affects or will materially affect,
      the business, properties, condition (financial or other) or results of
      operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since
      the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement
      and the Prospectus.

           (n) Ernst & Young LLP, whose reports have been incorporated by
      reference or included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form
      10-K which is incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, are
      independent public accountants as required by the Act and the rules and
      regulations thereunder.  (The term "Ernst & Young" when used in this
      Agreement shall include any successor independent accounting firm of
      recognized national standing that has served or shall serve as the
      Company's independent public accountants.)

           (o) Except as described in the Prospectus, there is no material
      litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the
      Company, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries which
      might reasonably be expected to result in any material adverse change in
      the business, properties, condition (financial or other), results of
      operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
      whole, or which is required to be disclosed in the Registration
      Statement.

           (p) The financial statements incorporated by reference in the
      Registration Statement and the Prospectus present, or (in the case of any
      amendment or supplement to any such document, or any material
      incorporated by reference in any such document, filed with the Commission
      after the date as of which this representation is being made) will
      present, fairly, the financial condition and results of operations of the
      Company and

                                       5

<PAGE>   6


      its subsidiaries taken as a whole, at the dates and for the periods
      indicated, and have been, and (in the case of any amendment or supplement
      to any such document, or any material incorporated by reference in any
      such document, filed with the Commission after the date as of which this
      representation is being made) will be, prepared in all material respects
      in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
      consistent basis throughout the periods involved, and the supporting
      schedules incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
      Prospectus present fairly the information required to be stated therein.

           (q) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus have
      been, and (in the case of any amendment or supplement to any such
      document, or any material incorporated by reference in any such document,
      filed with the Commission after the date as of which this representation
      is being made) will be, prepared by the Company in all material respects
      in conformity with the applicable requirements of the Act and the
      Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations of the Commission
      thereunder and such documents have been, or (in the case of any amendment
      or supplement to any such document, or any material incorporated by
      reference in any such document, filed with the Commission after the date
      as of which this representation is being made) will be, timely filed as
      required thereby.

           (r) There are no contracts or other documents which are required to
      be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the Act or by the
      rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, or which were
      required to be filed as exhibits to any document incorporated by
      reference in the Prospectus by the Exchange Act or the rules and
      regulations of the Commission thereunder, which have not been filed as
      exhibits to the Registration Statement or to such document or
      incorporated therein by reference as permitted by the rules and
      regulations of the Commission under the Act and the Exchange Act as
      required.

           (s) The Company and its subsidiaries possess all certificates,
      authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or
      foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective
      businesses, except for such certificates, authorizations and permits the
      failure to possess which would not result in a material adverse change in
      the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
      operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and
      neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice of
      proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such
      certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate,
      if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would
      result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial or
      otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and
      its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as described in or
      contemplated by the Prospectus.

           (t) There are no holders of securities (debt or equity) of the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries, or holders of rights, options or
      warrants to obtain securities of the

                                       6

<PAGE>   7


      Company or any of its subsidiaries, who have the right to have securities
      held by them registered by the Company under the Act.

           2. Purchase and Conversion of Redeemable Securities.  Subject to 
the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and 
warranties herein set forth:

           (a) The Purchaser agrees to surrender for conversion into Common
      Stock prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, prior to or on the
      Redemption Date all Redeemable Securities purchased by the Purchaser
      pursuant to Section 4 hereof or otherwise acquired by the Purchaser.  The
      shares of Common Stock issued to the Purchaser upon the conversion of
      Redeemable Securities are referred to as the "Conversion Securities."

           (b) If any Redeemable Securities have not been surrendered for
      conversion prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Redemption
      Date, at the option of the Company, exercisable by giving notice in
      writing to the Purchaser not later than 9:00 P.M., New York City time, on
      the Redemption Date, the Company shall sell to the Purchaser, and the
      Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of $44.94
      per share, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be specified in
      such notice (but not in excess of such number of shares of Common Stock
      as would have been issuable upon the conversion of all Redeemable
      Securities not surrendered for conversion).  The shares of Common Stock
      to be purchased pursuant to this Section 2(b) are referred to as the
      "Purchased Securities" and, together with the Conversion Securities, the
      "Securities."

           (c) It is understood that the Purchaser intends to resell the
      Securities from time to time at prices prevailing in the open market.  On
      or prior to the fifteenth business day after the Redemption Date, the
      Purchaser shall remit to the Company 50% of the excess, if any, of (i)
      the aggregate proceeds received by the Purchaser from the sale of
      Purchased Securities (net of selling concessions, transfer taxes and
      other expenses of sale) over (ii) an amount equal to $44.94 multiplied by
      the number of Purchased Securities sold by the Purchaser.  Upon
      completion of the sale of the Purchased Securities, the Purchaser shall
      furnish to the Company a statement setting forth the aggregate proceeds
      received on the sale thereof and the applicable selling concessions,
      transfer taxes and other expenses of sale.  For purposes of the foregoing
      determination, any Purchased Securities not sold by or for the account of
      the Purchaser prior to the close of business on the tenth business day
      after the Redemption Date shall be deemed to have been sold on such tenth
      business day for an amount equal to the last reported sale price of the
      Common Stock on such day.  Nothing contained herein shall limit the right
      of the Purchaser, in its discretion, to determine the price or prices at
      which, or the time or times when, any Securities shall be sold, whether
      or not prior to the Redemption Date and whether or not for long or short
      account.

           (d) Delivery of and payment for the Purchased Securities shall be
      made at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on June 17, 1997, which date and
      time may be

                                       7

<PAGE>   8


      postponed by agreement between the Purchaser and the Company (such date
      and time of delivery and payment for the Purchased Securities being
      herein called the "Closing Date").  Delivery of the Purchased Securities
      shall be made to the Purchaser against payment by the Purchaser of the
      purchase price thereof (less the amount of the Redemption Deposit, if
      any, not repaid to the Purchaser pursuant to paragraph (e) below) to or
      upon the order of the Company by wire transfer to an account designated
      in writing by the Company, payable in same-day funds.  Delivery of the
      Purchased Securities shall be made at such location as the Purchaser
      shall reasonably designate at least one business day in advance of the
      Closing Date, and the closing of the purchase and sale of the Purchased
      Securities shall be made at the office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen &
      Hamilton, New York, New York.  Certificates for the Purchased Securities
      shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the
      Purchaser may request in advance of the Closing Date.

           The Company agrees to have the Purchased Securities available for
      inspection, checking and packaging by the Purchaser in New York, New York
      prior to the Closing Date.

           (e) At the option of the Company, the Company may require (under the
      terms and conditions set forth in this paragraph) the Purchaser to
      advance to the Company on a secured basis the funds required to effect
      the redemption of the Redeemable Securities on the Redemption Date.  As
      soon as practicable after the close of business on the business day
      preceding the Redemption Date (but in any event no later than 9:00 P.M.,
      New York City time), the Company shall notify the Purchaser in writing of
      the aggregate number of the Redeemable Securities that have not
      theretofore been duly surrendered for conversion as described above (the
      "Unconverted Securities").  On the Redemption Date, the Purchaser shall
      advance to the Company the amount requested by the Company to effect the
      redemption of the Redeemable Securities (which may be an amount up to the
      amount required by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation to
      redeem the Unconverted Securities on the Redemption Date) by depositing
      such amount (the "Redemption Deposit") by wire transfer, payable in
      same-day funds, with ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. on behalf
      of the Company; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall have
      delivered to the Purchaser by 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the
      Redemption Date, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board,
      President and Chief Executive Officer and the principal financial or
      accounting officer of the Company (A) stating the amount of the
      Redemption Deposit, (B) confirming as of the Redemption Date the
      statements in the certificate required by Section 6(d) and (C) stating
      that they are not aware of any information or any current or potential
      event that would make it impossible or impracticable for any of the other
      closing conditions set forth in Section 6 to be satisfied, either as of
      the Redemption Date or as of the Closing Date, and (ii) the Company, the
      Purchaser and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. shall have entered
      into a pledge and security agreement, in form and substance reasonably
      satisfactory to the Purchaser, to secure the obligation of the Company to
      repay the Redemption Deposit to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall
      have obtained a valid and perfected security interest in the Redemption
      Deposit, subject to no prior or equal lien

                                       8

<PAGE>   9


      (except that such funds shall be available for payment of the Redemption
      Price with respect to any Redeemable Securities surrendered for
      redemption on or prior to the Redemption Date to the extent that the
      Redemption Price is paid by ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. on
      the Redemption Date to surrendering holders of the Convertible Preferred
      Shares).  The Company shall repay, or cause ChaseMellon Shareholder
      Services, L.L.C. to repay, to the Purchaser on the Closing Date, in
      same-day funds, the sum of any such Redemption Deposit plus interest
      thereon calculated at the Purchaser's cost of funds (as certified by the
      Purchaser) on any such Redemption Deposit from and including the date of
      such deposit to but excluding the date of repayment.

           3. Compensation.  As compensation for the commitment of the Purchaser
hereunder, the Company will pay to the Purchaser an amount equal to the sum of
(i) $2,277,143 plus (ii) if the aggregate number of the Purchased Securities
exceeds 194,873 shares, an additional $1.57 per share for the aggregate number
of the Securities.

           Such compensation shall be paid to the Purchaser by wire transfer to
an account designated in writing by the Purchaser, payable in same-day funds on
(A) if the Purchaser is required to purchase any Purchased Securities, the
Closing Date, or (B) otherwise, as soon as practicable after the Redemption
Date (but in no event later than two business days thereafter).

           4. Additional Purchases.  The Purchaser may purchase Redeemable 
Securities, in the open market or otherwise, in such amounts and at such prices
as the  Purchaser may deem advisable.  All Redeemable Securities so purchased
will be converted by the Purchaser into Common Stock in accordance with Section
2(a) hereof.  The Common Stock acquired by the Purchaser upon conversion of any
Redeemable Securities acquired pursuant to this Section 4 may be sold at any
time or from time to time by the Purchaser.  It is understood that, for the
purpose of stabilizing the price of the Common Stock or otherwise, the
Purchaser may make purchases and sales of Common Stock, in the open market or
otherwise, for long or short account, on such terms as it may deem advisable
and it may overallot in arranging sales.

           5. Agreements.  The Company agrees with the Purchaser that:

           (a) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration
      Statement, if not effective at the Execution Time, and any amendment
      thereof, to become effective.  Prior to the termination of the offering
      of the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of the
      Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus unless the Company
      has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not
      file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably
      object in writing.  Subject to the foregoing sentence, if the
      Registration Statement has become or becomes effective pursuant to Rule
      430A, or filing of the Prospectus is otherwise required under Rule
      424(b), the Company will cause the Prospectus, properly completed, and
      any supplement thereto to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the
      applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and
      will provide evidence satisfactory to the Purchaser of such timely
      filing.  The Company will promptly advise the Purchaser (i) when the
      Registration Statement, if not effective at the Execution Time, and any

                                       9

<PAGE>   10


      amendment thereto, shall have become effective, (ii) when the Prospectus,
      and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the
      Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), (iii) when, prior to termination of
      the offering of the Securities, any amendment to the Registration
      Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iv) of any request
      by the Commission for any amendment of the Registration Statement or
      supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional information, (v) of
      the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
      effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the institution or
      threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (vi) of the receipt by
      the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
      qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the
      initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.  The
      Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such
      stop order and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal
      thereof.

           (b) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is
      required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a result of
      which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any
      untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
      necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the
      circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it shall
      be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the
      Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective
      rules thereunder, the Company promptly will (i) prepare and file with the
      Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this
      Section 5, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement
      or omission or effect such compliance and (ii) supply any supplemented
      Prospectus to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

           (c) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally
      available to its security holders and to the Purchaser an earnings
      statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which will
      satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 under the
      Act.

           (d) The Company will furnish to the Purchaser and counsel for the
      Purchaser, without charge, copies of manually executed signature pages to
      the Registration Statement, it being understood that the originals of
      such pages will be retained in the Company's files as required by the
      rules of the Commission, and copies of the Registration Statement
      (including exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by
      the Purchaser or dealer may be required by the Act, as many copies of
      each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any supplement thereto
      as the Purchaser may reasonably request.  The Company will pay the
      expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the
      transactions contemplated hereby.  The Company will pay all transfer
      taxes as may be imposed on the Purchaser in connection with their
      purchase of Redeemable Securities pursuant hereto.

           (e) The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Securities
      for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Purchaser may
      designate, and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as
      required for the distribution of the Securities;

                                       10

<PAGE>   11


      provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any
      general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign
      corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified.

            (f) The Company will mail or cause to be mailed not later than the
      date of execution hereof the Notice of Redemption by first class mail to
      the registered holders of the Redeemable Securities as of the close of
      business on the business day prior to the date of execution hereof, which
      mailing will conform to the requirements of the Certificate of
      Incorporation.  The Company will not withdraw or revoke the Notice of
      Redemption or attempt to do so.

           (g) The Company will advise the Purchaser daily of the amount of
      Redeemable Securities surrendered in the previous day for redemption or
      for conversion.

           (h) The Company will not take any action the effect of which would
      be to require an adjustment in the conversion price of the Redeemable
      Securities.

           (i) The Company will not, prior to the Redemption Date (and, if the
      aggregate number of the Purchased Securities exceeds 194,873 shares, for
      an additional period of 90 days following the Redemption Date), without
      the prior written consent of the Purchaser, (A) offer, pledge, sell,
      contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
      option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
      purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or
      announce the offering of, any shares of Common Stock (other than the
      Securities) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
      exchangeable for Common Stock (whether such shares or any such securities
      are now owned by the Company or are hereafter acquired) or (B) enter into
      any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in
      part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock,
      whether any such transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above is to
      be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash
      or otherwise; provided, however, that the Company may issue and sell
      Common Stock pursuant to any employee stock option plan, incentive
      compensation program or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in
      effect at the Execution Time and the Company may issue Common Stock
      issuable upon the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants
      outstanding at the Execution Time.

           6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Purchaser.  The obligations
of the Purchaser hereunder to convert Redeemable Securities and to purchase any
Purchased Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations    
and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution
Time, each Effective Date occurring after the Execution Time, the Redemption
Date and, as to the purchase of the Purchased Securities, the Closing Date, to
the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant
to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

           (a) If the Registration Statement has not become effective prior to
      the Execution Time, unless the Purchaser agrees in writing to a later
      time, the Registration

                                       11

<PAGE>   12


      Statement shall have become effective not later than 12:00 Noon, New York
      City time, on the date of execution hereof; if filing of the Prospectus,
      or any supplement thereto, is required pursuant to Rule 424(b), the
      Prospectus, and any such supplement, shall have been filed in the manner
      and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); and no stop order
      suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have
      been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
      instituted or threatened.

           (b) On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, the
      Company shall have furnished to the Purchaser the opinion of Mayer, Brown
      & Platt, counsel for the Company, dated the date of this Agreement and
      the Closing Date, respectively, to the effect that:

                 (i) the Company (1) has been duly incorporated and is validly
            existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
            jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with full
            corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its
            business as described in the Prospectus, and (2) is duly qualified
            to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
            under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such
            qualification wherein it owns or leases material properties or
            conducts material business, except where the failure to so qualify
            and be in good standing as a foreign corporation would not,
            individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on
            the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as whole;

                 (ii) each of General American Transportation Corporation, GATX
            Financial Services, Inc., GATX Terminals Corporation, GATX
            Logistics, Inc. and American Steamship Company (individually, a
            "Subsidiary" and collectively, the "Subsidiaries") has been duly
            incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
            standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is
            chartered or organized, with full corporate power and authority to
            own its properties and conduct its business as described in the
            Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
            corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each
            jurisdiction which requires such qualification wherein it owns or
            leases material properties or conducts material business, except
            where the failure to so qualify and be in good standing as a
            foreign corporation would not, individually or in the aggregate,
            have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
            taken as a whole;

                 (iii) all the outstanding shares of capital stock of each
            Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
            fully paid and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in
            the Prospectus, all outstanding shares of capital stock of the
            Subsidiaries are owned by the Company either directly or through
            wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security
            interest and, to the knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry,
            any other security interests, claims, liens or encumbrances;


                                       12

<PAGE>   13


                 (iv) the Company's authorized equity capitalization is as set
            forth in the Prospectus; the capital stock of the Company   
            (including the Redeemable Securities) conforms in all material
            respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus;
            assuming the mailing of the Notice of Redemption in accordance with
            Section 1(c) hereof, all the Redeemable Securities will have been
            duly called for redemption by the close of business on the date of
            execution hereof and the right to convert the Redeemable Securities
            into shares of Common Stock will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City
            time, on June 16, 1997; the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
            conversion of the Redeemable Securities have been duly and validly
            authorized and, when issued and delivered upon conversion of any
            Redeemable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully
            paid and nonassessable; the Purchased Securities have been duly and
            validly authorized and, when issued and delivered to and paid for
            by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and
            nonassessable; the Securities have been duly and validly authorized
            for listing, subject to official notice of issuance, on the New
            York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the London
            Stock Exchange; and the certificates for the Securities are in
            valid and sufficient form;

                 (v) the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly and
            validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable;
            the outstanding Redeemable Securities have been duly and validly
            authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and the
            holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are
            not entitled to preemptive or other rights to subscribe for the
            Securities or the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
            of the Redeemable Securities;

                 (vi) to the best knowledge of such counsel, there is no
            pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding before any court
            or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator
            involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries of a character
            required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not
            adequately disclosed in the Prospectus, and there is no franchise,
            contract or other document of a character required to be described
            in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or to be filed as an
            exhibit, which is not described or filed as required;

                 (vii) the Registration Statement has become effective under
            the Act; any required filing of the Prospectus, and any supplements
            thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the manner and
            within the time period required by Rule 424(b); to the best
            knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the
            effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued, no
            proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or threatened and
            the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than the
            financial statements and other financial and statistical
            information contained therein as to which such counsel need express
            no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the
            applicable

                                       13

<PAGE>   14


            requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective
            rules thereunder; and no facts have come to the attention of such
            counsel which lead such counsel to believe that, as of the
            Effective Date, either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
            (other than the financial statements and other financial and
            statistical information contained therein as to which such counsel
            need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a
            material act or omitted to state a material fact required to be
            stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
            light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
            misleading or, as of the date of such opinion, either the
            Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than the financial
            statements and other financial and statistical information
            contained therein as to which such counsel need express no opinion)
            contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
            material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
            the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
            they were made, not misleading;

                 (viii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
            delivered by the Company;

                 (ix) no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court
            or governmental agency or body is required for the redemption or
            conversion of the Redeemable Securities or the consummation of the
            transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained
            under the Act and such as may be required under the blue sky laws
            of any jurisdiction in connection with the sale of the Securities
            as contemplated by this Agreement and such other approvals
            (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained;

                 (x) none of the call of the Redeemable Securities for
            redemption, the conversion or redemption thereof, the issue and
            sale of the Securities or the consummation of any other of the
            transactions herein contemplated or the fulfillment of the terms
            hereof will conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a
            default under (1) any law, (2) the Certificate of Incorporation or
            by-laws of the Company or (3) the terms of any indenture or other
            agreement or instrument known to such counsel and to which the
            Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or bound or any
            judgment, order or decree known to such counsel to be applicable to
            the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory
            body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator having
            jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

                 (xi) no holders of securities of the Company have rights to
            the registration of such securities under the Registration
            Statement; and

                 (xii) the statements (1) in the Prospectus under the caption
            "Description of Capital Stock," (2) in the Notice of Redemption
            under the captions "Federal Income Tax Considerations," (3) in the
            Registration Statement under Item 15 and (4) in "Item 3 - Legal
            Proceedings" of the Company's most recent annual report

                                       14

<PAGE>   15


            on Form 10-K , as supplemented by "Part II - Item 1 - Legal
            Proceedings" of the Company's most recent quarterly report on Form
            10-Q, both incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, in each
            case insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal
            matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, are accurate
            and complete in all material respects.

      In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters
      involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the
      State of Illinois, the State of New York or the United States to the
      extent they deem proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion
      of other counsel of good standing whom they believe to be reliable and
      who are satisfactory to counsel for the Purchaser and (B) as to matters
      of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible
      officers of the Company and public officials.  References to the
      Prospectus in this paragraph (b) include any supplements thereto on the
      Closing Date.

      Mayer, Brown and Platt will not be required to deliver the opinions set
      forth in subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (v), (vi), (ix) and (xi) and clause
      (2) of subparagraph (i), clauses (1) and (3) of subparagraph (x) and
      clauses (3) and (4) of subparagraph (xii) of this paragraph (b) if David
      B. Anderson, Vice President, Corporate Development, General Counsel and
      Secretary of the Company, delivers such opinions to you.  If Mr. Anderson
      elects to deliver the opinions set forth in the immediately preceding
      sentence, Mr. Anderson's opinion shall also include the opinion contained
      in subparagraphs (vii) and (viii) and clause (1) of subparagraph (i) of
      this paragraph (b).

           (c) On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, the
      Purchaser shall have received from Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton,
      counsel for the Purchaser, such opinion or opinions, dated the date of
      this Agreement and the Closing Date, respectively, with respect to the
      issuance and sale of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the
      Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) and other related
      matters as the Purchaser may reasonably require, and the Company shall
      have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the
      purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

           (d) On the date of this Agreement, on each Effective Date occurring
      after the Execution Time and on the Closing Date, the Company shall have
      furnished to the Purchaser a certificate of the Company, signed by the
      Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and the
      principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated the date
      of delivery, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have
      carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any
      supplement to the Prospectus and this Agreement and that:

                 (i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this
            Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date of such
            certificate as if made on the date of such certificate and the
            Company has complied with all the agreements and

                                       15

<PAGE>   16


            satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or
            satisfied at or prior to the date of such certificate;

                 (ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
            Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that
            purpose have been instituted or, to the Company's knowledge,
            threatened; and

                 (iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements
            included in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto),
            there has been no material adverse change in the condition
            (financial or other), earnings, business or properties of the
            Company and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising from
            transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set
            forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of any
            supplement thereto).

           (e) At the Execution Time, on each Effective Date occurring after
      the Execution Time on which financial information is included or
      incorporated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and on the
      Closing Date, Ernst & Young LLP shall have furnished to the Purchaser a
      letter or letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time, each such
      Effective Date and as of the Closing Date, in form and substance
      satisfactory to the Purchaser, confirming that they are independent
      accountants within the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and the
      respective applicable published rules and regulations thereunder and that
      they have performed a review of the unaudited financial information for
      the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1997 in accordance with Statement of
      Auditing Standards No. 71 and stating in effect that:

                 (i) in their opinion the audited financial statements and
            financial statement schedules and any pro forma financial
            statements included or incorporated in the Registration Statement
            and the Prospectus and reported on by them comply in form in all
            material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
            the Act and the Exchange Act and the related published rules and
            regulations;

                 (ii) on the basis of a reading of the latest unaudited
            financial statements made available by the Company and its
            subsidiaries; their limited review in accordance with standards
            established by the American Institute of Certified Public
            Accountants of the unaudited interim financial information as
            indicated in their reports incorporated in the Registration
            Statement and the Prospectus; carrying out certain specified
            procedures (but not an examination in accordance with generally
            accepted auditing standards) which would not necessarily reveal
            matters of significance with respect to the comments set forth in
            such letter; a reading of the minutes of the meetings of the
            stockholders, directors and audit, compensation and retirement
            funds review committees of the Company and the Subsidiaries; and
            inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have
            responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company
            and its subsidiaries as to transactions and events subsequent to
            date of the most recent

                                       16

<PAGE>   17


            audited financial statements included or incorporated in the
            Registration Statement and the Prospectus, nothing came to their
            attention which caused them to believe that:

                       (1) any unaudited financial statements included or
                  incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
                  do not comply in form in all material respects with
                  applicable accounting requirements and with the published
                  rules and regulations of the Commission with respect to
                  financial statements included or incorporated in quarterly
                  reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; and said
                  unaudited financial statements are not in conformity with
                  generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
                  substantially consistent with that of the audited financial
                  statements included or incorporated in the Registration
                  Statement and the Prospectus;

                       (2) with respect to the period subsequent to the date of
                  the most recent financial statements (other than capsule
                  information), audited or unaudited, included in or
                  incorporated in the Registration Statement and the
                  Prospectus, there were any changes, at a specified date not
                  more than five business days prior to the date of the letter,
                  in the long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries or
                  capital stock of the Company or decreases in the
                  shareholders' equity of the Company as compared with the
                  amounts shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet
                  included or incorporated in the Registration Statement and
                  the Prospectus, or for the period from the date of the most
                  recent financial statements included or incorporated in the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus to such specified
                  date there were any decreases, as compared with the
                  corresponding period in the preceding year in gross income,
                  income before income taxes and equity in net earnings of
                  affiliated companies or in total or per share amounts of net
                  income of the Company and its subsidiaries, except in all
                  instances for changes or decreases set forth in such letter,
                  in which case the letter shall be accompanied by an
                  explanation by the Company as to the significance thereof
                  unless said explanation is not deemed necessary by the
                  Purchaser; or

                       (3) if the interim financial statements included or
                  incorporated in the Registration Statement and Prospectus are
                  supplemented by later income statement information (so-called
                  "capsule" information), (i) the unaudited amounts of such
                  capsule information do not agree with the amounts set forth
                  in the unaudited financial statements for the same periods or
                  were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with
                  that of the corresponding amounts in the audited financial
                  statements included or incorporated in the Registration
                  Statement and the Prospectus and (ii) if such capsule
                  information meets the minimum disclosure requirements of APB
                  Opinion No. 28, paragraph 30, such capsule information is not
                  in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles;
                  and


                                       17

<PAGE>   18


                 (iii) they have performed certain other specified procedures
            as a result of which they determined that certain information of an
            accounting, financial or statistical nature (which is limited to
            accounting, financial or statistical information derived from the
            general accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries) set
            forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, including
            the information set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus and
            under the caption "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy"
            in the Prospectus, the information included or incorporated in
            Items 1, 6, 7 and 11 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K,
            incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the
            information included in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis
            of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included or
            incorporated in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
            incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and
            any such information appearing in any Current Report on Form 8-K
            incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
            agrees with the accounting records of the Company and its
            subsidiaries, excluding any questions of legal interpretation; and

                 (iv) on the basis of a reading of any unaudited pro forma
            financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration
            Statement and the Prospectus (the "pro forma financial
            statements"); carrying out certain specified procedures; inquiries
            of certain officials of the Company and relevant other entities who
            have responsibility for financial and accounting matters; and
            proving the arithmetic accuracy of the application of the pro forma
            adjustments to the historical amounts in the pro forma financial
            statements, nothing came to their attention which caused them to
            believe that the pro forma financial statements do not comply in
            form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
            requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X or that the pro forma
            adjustments have not been properly applied to the historical
            amounts in the compilation of such statements.

           References to the Prospectus in this paragraph (e) include any
      supplement thereto at the date of the letter.

           (f) Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of
      which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of
      any amendment thereof) and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement
      thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified
      in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 6
      or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in
      or affecting the business or properties of the Company and its
      subsidiaries the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i)
      or (ii) above, is, in the judgment of the Purchaser, so material and
      adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the
      offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the
      Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the
      Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).


                                       18

<PAGE>   19


           (g) At the Execution Time, the Company shall have furnished to the
      Purchaser a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto from
      each executive officer of the Company addressed to the Purchaser,
      relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common
      Stock or certain other securities, and such letter agreements shall be in
      full force and effect on the Closing Date.

           (h) The Securities shall have been approved for listing on the New
      York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange, subject to official
      notice of issuance.

           (i) The Company shall have furnished to the Purchaser such further
      information, certificates and documents as the Purchaser may reasonably
      request.

           If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have
been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement,
or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in
this Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to the Purchaser and counsel for the Purchaser, this
Agreement and all obligations of the Purchaser hereunder may be canceled at, or
at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Purchaser.  Notice of such
cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or
telegraph confirmed in writing.

           The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be
delivered at the office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, counsel for the
Purchaser, at One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York, on the due date for
delivery thereof.

           7. Reimbursement of Purchaser's Expenses.  If the sale of the 
Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the
obligations of the Purchaser set forth in Section 6 hereof is not
satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because
of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any
agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a
default by the Purchaser, the Company will reimburse the Purchaser upon demand
for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel) that shall have been incurred by it in connection with the proposed
purchase and sale of the Securities.

           8. Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  The Company agrees to 
indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser, the directors, officers, employees
and agents of the Purchaser and each person who controls the Purchaser
within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any
of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or
state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration of
the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to
reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other
expenses

                                       19

<PAGE>   20


reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that (i) the
Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by or on behalf of the Purchaser specifically for inclusion
therein and (ii) such indemnity with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus or
to any Prospectus which has been amended or supplemented to reflect an event
subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement shall not inure
to the benefit of the Purchaser if the person asserting any such loss, claim,
damage or liability purchased the Securities which are the subject thereof from
the Purchaser, but the Purchaser did not send or deliver to such person a copy
of the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented), excluding
documents incorporated therein by reference, at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale of such Securities to such person, in any case where
(A) such delivery is required by the Act, (B) the untrue statement or omission
of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus
was corrected in the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented),
(C) if a copy of such Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented)
had been so sent or given, such delivery would have cured the defect giving
rise to the claim asserted by such person, and (D) the Company had previously
furnished copies of such Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented) to the Purchaser.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition
to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

     (b) The Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each
of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and
each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or
the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the
Company to the Purchaser, but only with reference to written information
relating to the Purchaser furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the
Purchaser specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the
foregoing indemnity.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any
liability which the Purchaser may otherwise have.  The Company acknowledges
that the last paragraph of the cover page and in the third paragraph under the
heading "Standby Arrangements" in any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus
constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the
Purchaser for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, and
you confirm that such statements are correct.

     (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement
thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not
relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the
extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in
the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and
(ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any
obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation
provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above.  The indemnifying party shall be
entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party's choice at the
indemnifying party's

                                       20

<PAGE>   21


expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which
indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not
thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel
retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below);
provided, however, that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified
party.  Notwithstanding the indemnifying party's election to appoint counsel to
represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have
the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the
indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such
separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to
represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of
interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such
action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal
defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different
from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the
indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the
indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time
after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party
shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense
of the indemnifying party.  An indemnifying party will not, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to
the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim,
action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or
potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise
or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

     (d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of
this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Purchaser agree to
contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or
defending same) (collectively "Losses") to which the Company and the Purchaser
may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company and by the Purchaser from the offering of the
Securities; provided, however, that in no case shall the Purchaser be
responsible for any amount in excess of the fees payable by the Company to the
Purchaser pursuant to Section 3 hereof.  If the allocation provided by the
immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and
the Purchaser shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and
of the Purchaser in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted
in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the sum of (i)
the aggregate Redemption Price for the Redeemable Securities converted by the
Purchaser pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof and (ii) the amount paid by the
Purchaser to the Company pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof (less the total fees
payable by the Company to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 3 hereof), and
benefits received by the Purchaser shall be deemed to be equal to the total
fees payable by the Company to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
Relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether any alleged untrue
statement or omission relates to information provided by the Company or the
Purchaser.  The Company and the Purchaser agree

                                       21

<PAGE>   22


that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro
rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to above.  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 8, each person who controls
the Purchaser within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each
director, officer, employee and agent of the Purchaser shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Purchaser, and each person who controls the
Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer
of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each
director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this
paragraph (d).

           9. Soliciting Conversions.  The Purchaser may assist the Company in
soliciting conversion of the Redeemable Securities by the holders thereof but
shall not be entitled to compensation by the Company for any such assistance.

          10. Termination.  This Agreement shall be subject to termination in 
the absolute discretion of the Purchaser, by notice given to the Company at any
time prior to the Closing Date, if prior to such time (i) trading in the
Company's Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission, the New
York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange or the London Stock Exchange,
trading in the Redeemable Securities shall have been suspended by the
Commission, the New York Stock Exchange or the Chicago Stock Exchange prior to
the Redemption Date or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock
Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been
established on such Exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been
declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there shall
have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the
United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis the
effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the judgment of
the Purchaser, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or
delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any
supplement thereto).

          11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive.  The respective 
agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of
the Company or  its officers and of the Purchaser set forth in or made pursuant
to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Purchaser or the Company or any of
the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof,
and will survive the conversion of any Redeemable Securities and the delivery
of and payment for any Securities.  The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof
shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

          12. Notices.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and 
effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Purchaser, will be mailed,
delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at Seven World Trade Center, New
York, New York, 10048, attention of the Legal Department; or, if sent to the
Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed

                                       22

<PAGE>   23


to it at 500 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3676, attention of
David B. Anderson, Vice President, Corporate Development, General Counsel and
Secretary.

          13. Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the
officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof,
and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

          14. Applicable Law.  This Agreement will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

          15. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by any one or more 
of the  parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together
constitute one and the same instrument.

                                       23

<PAGE>   24


          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof,
whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement
among the Company and the Purchaser.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   GATX Corporation


                                   By:___________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.

Salomon Brothers Inc


By:___________________________________
   Name:
   Title:

<PAGE>   25




                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                GATX Corporation

                     Standby Underwriting of Common Shares

                                                                    May 16, 1997

Salomon Brothers Inc
Seven World Trade Center
New York, New York  10048

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed
Standby Agreement (the "Standby Agreement") between GATX Corporation, a New
York corporation (the "Company"), and you as the Purchaser named therein,
relating to a call for redemption by the Company of all of its outstanding
$3.875 Cumulative Convertible Preference Stock.

     In order to induce you to enter into the Standby Agreement, the
undersigned hereby agrees that, without your prior written consent, the
undersigned will not, prior to the Redemption Date (as defined in the Standby
Agreement) (and, if the aggregate number of the Purchased Securities exceeds
194,873 shares, for an additional period of 90 days following the Redemption
Date), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract
to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right
or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or
indirectly, any shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Standby Agreement) or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
(whether such shares or any such securities are now owned by the undersigned or
are hereafter acquired), or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that
transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of
ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause
(1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other
securities, in cash or otherwise.  In addition, the undersigned agrees that,
without your prior written consent, the undersigned will not, prior to the
Redemption Date and for a period of 90 days following the Redemption Date, make
any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any
shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock.




<PAGE>   26




     If for any reason the Standby Agreement shall be terminated prior to the
Closing Date (as defined in the Standby Agreement), the agreement set forth
above shall likewise be terminated.

                                          Yours very truly,

                                          _________________________
                                          [Name]

                                       2

<PAGE>   1

                                                                       EXHIBIT 5





                                  May 15, 1997



GATX Corporation
500 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois  60661-3676

         Re:     Common Stock, $0.625 par value per share

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to GATX Corporation, a New York corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the corporate proceedings (the "Corporate
Proceedings") taken and to be taken relating to the underwritten standby public
offering of up to 3,897,477 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.625 par
value per share (the "Common Stock").   We have also participated in the
preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a registration statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement") relating to such shares of Common Stock.  In
this connection, we have examined such corporate and other records,
instruments, certificates and documents as we considered necessary to enable us
to express this opinion.

         Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that, upon completion of the
Corporate Proceedings, the Common Stock will have been duly authorized for
issuance and, when the Common Stock is delivered in accordance with the Standby
Agreement in substantially the form filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration
Statement and the Corporate Proceedings, it will be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable by the Company.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal
Opinions."

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        MAYER, BROWN & PLATT

                                        /s/Mayer, Brown & Platt






<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of GATX Corporation for
the registration of 3,897,477 shares of its Common Stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 28, 1997, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of GATX Corporation
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and the related schedules included therein, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
May 12, 1997
Chicago, Illinois


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