Muscle Car Nationals 2011 - Chicago

November 2011

It's been a long time since I have been to a multi-make car show. The Chicago Muscle Car Nationals was a very special show. Hundreds of cars from all over the United States were on hand at the Stephens Convention Center. The convention center is adjacent to O'Hare Airport. This show is mainly invitation only and the finest cars attend.

1968 # 112 was on hand. The car now sports the rallye stripes.

CSX 2472 is a real Cobra Dragonsnake.

Len brought this original GT350 convertible. One of four built in 1966.

6S001 is the first 1966 Shelby and it originally had a vinyl top!

Colin's Cobra looks great. He autographed his Shelby books all weekend.

This is the Coralsnake. Officially retired from show duty.

This Cobra belongs to the original owners. They were delightful.

Mr. Gaines brought his GT500, 4spd, AC car.

A real 1965 Shelby Drag unit.

Brian's black Boss 429 looked factory fresh.

Chris brought two cars and both were fabulous. This is his early 1967.

The Shinoda "Boss" prototype was here. It was barn fresh.

Here are the spoiler and rear window slats.

This 1967 GT500 sat next to the Hagerty Insurance both.

This is a real 1968 Vintage Ford car cover. The bell was a promotional item.

Two beautiful girls on hand to assist you with your questions.

Brian and Samantha Styles uncover their car.

It's the only 1967 convertible. A prototype built for the 1968 model year.

The beach theme mirrored the original factory photographs of the car.

The gas cap emblem is a Coralsnake creation. Jeff assures me the prototype hubcaps will be shown with the car.

Side stripes and other details are copied from original photographs.

The engine bay was very nice. The one piece front end was remarkable.

This badge looked like a piece of jewelry. Very well done.

The car will continue to be tweaked as more information becomes available.

Ed brought a 428 SCJ convertible. The car was a factory lease vehicle.

This is one of two prototype Talladegas. The owner also has a white one.

Have you ever seen a Shelby turbine car?

The original engine came from a helicopter and cost $75,000 in the mid 1960s.

This is the Dodge Diamante show car from the 1960s. It was my personal favorite of the weekend.

I believe it was the first Hemi car. The pearl white paint job was outstanding.

One of the original 50 Tuckers. The car was exceptional.

The Chysler XP Hemi Charger prototype. It was featured on the TV show, Chop Cut Rebuild.

One four original Hemi Cudas at the show.

15 ZL1 Camaros were present. You could pick your color.

This one was my favorite- bright yellow.

This is the first Dodge Daytona prototype.

That's a factory AMC paint job.

This Barracuda was hideous...

But, I have to admit, the flowers grow on you.

This looked like a 1958 Corvette production line.

Several versions of the Judge.

Another AMC car. Were these guys drinking in Kenosha?

A real, vintage cut-away engine. You could see the engine moving in this display from the 1960s.

This R/T was a knockout. The color was fabulous too.