Chicago Auto Show to Display 5 Great Historic American Cars
26 January 2000
VOLO, Ill. -- The 92nd annual Chicago Auto Show has a long history of
exciting the motoring public with the latest innovations in automotive
development. It's been the ideal way for people to compare the newest models
and make informed buying decisions.
This powerhouse auto show has also tantalized us with an intriguing peek
into the future by displaying concept cars.
And for a glimpse into the very dramatic past, the Volo Auto Museum, as it
has for many years, is once again displaying Classic American Cars. Classic,
"Nifty Fifties", muscle and Rod & Custom cars. Automobiles that let us
revisit the exciting days of our youth, and share with young people the
glitter and swank of the glory days of the American Car.
The Volo Auto Museum display will be located between Jaguar and Acura.
And for this year's show, they have selected these timeless designs:
The fabled and fabulous "Boothill Express". Without doubt the most famous
Kustom Kar of the 60s and 70s. Born in 1850, this historic Cunningham Hearse,
drawn by four horses, carried Bob Younger, late of the Jesse James Gang to
Lee's Summit and his appropriate reward in 1887. In 1966, Ray Farhner
resurrected the old hearse, dormant for decades, and created an instant winner
at Rod & Custom shows from California to the East Coast. And the horsepower
increased from 4 horses to 500, thanks to the modified Chrysler Hemi V-8. The
fame of the "Boothill Express" reached its zenith when it became the only
Kustom Kar ever exhibited at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Later owned
by the incomparable, George Barris, this icon of American individualism has
come to permanently rest in peace in the Volo Auto Museum.
An awesome 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster. Imagine. 16 cylinders. Rumble
seat. This stunning roadster is the epitome of F. Scott Fitzgerald grandeur.
Platinum over Starlight Black finish. Black leather interior. This 100 point
National Show Winner is a one-car concours d'Elegance. Its grace makes its
$500,000 value make sense.
1947 Ford Woody Custom Convertible. A convertible with wooden framing and
mahogany inserts helping to jazz up what was basically a prewar design. This
was the most expensive Ford built and as such, not too sellable. Only 50
known to exist in the world and valued today at over $100,000.
A rare 1957 T-Bird two seater "E" Series Roadster. Special Ordered with
Dual Quads (two 4-barrel carburetors) and 3-speed stick with overdrive. This
100 point show winner, flawless in its Starmist blue finish and blue interior,
is valued at $60,000.
A 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Super Bird. The Super Birds aerodynamic nose
and the famous rear wing were designed to improve handling on the NASCAR super
speedway. Capable of 220 MPH in racing trim, they were highly successful
winning 21 NASCAR races, including the legendary Daytona 500. They were very
expensive to build and only 1,300 were manufactured. Completely restored back
to its original condition. It is valued at over $50,000 today.
The Volo Auto Museum was founded by the Grams Brothers in 1961 in the
sleepy little town of Volo, some 50 miles northwest of Chicago where highways
12 and 120 intersect. Today, the population of Volo has swelled to 208, and
the Volo Auto Museum has grown to four large buildings displaying some 250
collectible automobiles. The 5th most visited auto museum in the United
States, Volo Auto Museum is unique because almost all of the cars are sale.
Making a visit even more interesting and exciting are the three antique
malls with more than 300 dealers selling their finds. And the Mercantile Mall
featuring interesting collectible items, furniture and antiques. And now, the
new celebrity car display.
The museums and malls are open daily from 10 to 5 the year around.
