Volo Auto Museum to Make Automotive History Come Alive at the Chicago Auto Show Centennial
2 January 2001
Volo Auto Museum to Make Automotive History Come Alive at the Chicago Auto Show Centennial
VOLO, Ill., Jan. 2 One hundred years ago, almost to the
day, the first Chicago Auto Show opened its doors to the public. At the time,
almost no one had a car or even wanted one. They were, for the most part,
four wheel bicycles with one-cylinder engines. Put-Put playthings for the
wealthy.
In the hundred years that have followed, the automobile has evolved
radically, changing the face of the nation. Americans found a road to freedom
never even imagined. Everything that had been too far beyond expectations was
suddenly within driving distance. The nation and its people gathered
momentum.
In tracing the tire tracks of the last hundred years, we come to treasure
the cars that set the styles, tripped the trends, and stirred the soul. And
we recall our personal historical events by the year and make of the car we
were driving at the time. The new cars exhibited at the 2001 Chicago Auto
Show are the best and safest cars ever made. But it is the cars that came
before that gives the new cars their significance.
This Year's Centennial Auto Show will feature an Island of Automotive
History. The cars are coming from General Motors, Ford Motor Company,
Daimler-Chrysler, among others. And the Volo Auto Museum.
According to Greg Grams, "At the Volo Auto Museum, we live the history of
the automobile every day. Our exhibit includes some 250 historic and
collectible cars: the great classics of the 30's, the fabulous 40's, Nifty
50's, sexy 60's, and muscle cars, muscle cars, muscle cars! We are the
largest museum of our kind in North America, because at the Volo Auto Museum,
virtually all of the cars are for sale. And that means the automobiles on
display change constantly, keeping the Volo Auto Museum continuously new and
exciting."
In addition, a new division has been created that acquires and displays
"Famous Cars"...cars once owned by celebrities, movie cars, cars that made the
news. Cars like Bo Dukes' own "General Lee," Michael Jordan's Corvette ZR-1,
the famous kustom "Boothill Express" and many more.
Bill Grams, whose Classic Car section is displaying four cars in the
Chicago Auto Show, admits having a passion for the cars of the 1930's. "It
was the decade of greatest change in automotive styling. The spunky 1930
Model A Ford looks antique beside its 1939 counterpart. And the great
classics of Packard, Cadillac, Cord and Duesenberg are, well, delicious. We
offer a virtual Concours d'Elegance every day."
"In deference to our fellow exhibitors from GM, Ford and Chrysler," Greg
Grams adds, "we are bringing a collection of outstanding cars that are no
longer being produced."
Volo Museum's Auto Show display includes: a 1958 DeSoto Adventurer
convertible, one of just 82 built; a 1947 Packard Clipper Super 8 aerodynamic
2-door sedan; a 1931 Cord L29 Cabriolet, the first American car with front-
wheel drive; a delightfully subtle 1930 LaSalle Sedan Convertible; and an
awesome 1930 Dual Cowl Phaeton by Stutz, one of the most famous names in
American automotive history.
Bill Grams -- "In 1901, who could have imagined the rich history and
national significance of the fledgling automobile. It has been an incredible
'Century of Progress,' and Volo Auto Museum is thrilled to be sharing some of
this history with those who attend the Centennial Celebration of the Chicago
Auto Show, February 9th through the 18th. And celebrating our 40th Anniversary
as well."
The Volo Auto Museum is located in historic Volo, Illinois, some 45 miles
northwest of Chicago, near the intersection of highways 12 and 120. The 4 car
museums, along with 4 large antique and collectibles malls, are open 362 days
a year, 10 to 5. Cameras are welcome. For an on-line preview, folks may log
on to http://www.volocars.com.
For further information, contact Greg Grams, 815-385-3644.