Grumpy’s groundbreaking small-block Pro Stock Vega greeted fans in the lobby of the MCACN show.The halls of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center just outside Chicago were jam-packed with vintage high-performance street and race cars during this past weekend’s 5th annual Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN). There were prime examples from the golden era when “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” really meant something to the Detroit automakers and their customers. Hundreds of rare examples from Chrysler, Ford, GM and even AMC were on display, each with a unique story and history that shaped the automotive landscape for decades.

Grumpy’s groundbreaking small-block Pro Stock Vega greeted fans in the lobby of the MCACN show.The halls of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center just outside Chicago were jam-packed with vintage high-performance street and race cars during this past weekend’s 5th annual Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN). There were prime examples from the golden era when “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” really meant something to the Detroit automakers and their customers. Hundreds of rare examples from Chrysler, Ford, GM and even AMC were on display, each with a unique story and history that shaped the automotive landscape for decades.

With iconic small and big block street cars at every turn, attendees had a chance to see the one of the nation’s largest gatherings of muscle, all in one location. There were also iconic drag cars from the 1960s and 70s, showcased with a diverse sampling of vehicles, some meticulously restored and others fresh from the barn. The show was a living history lesson – everywhere you turned, there were owners reflecting on what it was like to drive these cars back in the day. “This is all about having some fun and sharing the knowledge,” said Bob Ashton, the managing director of the MCACN. “What could be better than hearing it right from the source?”

Fred Hurst’s HEMI-powered Gasser ‘Cuda was restored to its Candy Apple glory.Among all the muscle machines, there were vendors selling rare magazines, posters, toys and other automotive collectables and apparel. For many of us, it was a trip down memory lane to a time when our parents would buy cool car related items for Christmas.

So, regardless of your brand loyalty, the amazing number of BOSS and Shelby Mustangs, COPO and Z/28 Camaros, Super Duty Pontiacs, Stage 1 Buicks, 442 W-30 Oldsmobile’s, HEMI and Max Wedge Mopars on display were a testament to a time when Detroit pulled out all the stops for street and strip supremacy.

If you didn’t make it to the MCACN, check out our photo blog below and our our Photo Gallery courtesy of Bill Swanson to see what you missed.

The ’63 “Swiss Cheese” 421 Pontiac Catalina’s were a formidable threat in Super Stock. Ken Barnhart purchased this ’69 427 ZL1 COPO Camaro new from Chevy Supercar dealer Fred Gibb, he still owns it today.Legendary Mopar racer Don Grotheer gets reacquainted with his 1968 S/S Hemi Cuda, he won the NHRA Winternationals in ’69 driving this car.Even though it wasn’t a competitive during the dawn of Pro Stock, the “Uncle Sam” Pro Stock ’71 Mustang campaigned by the Polaris Racing Team looks cool. Just recently discovered, Dyno Don’s ’69 BOSS 429 Cougar will undergo a complete restoration from its current owner soon.Originally built by Sox & Martin for Reid Whisnant in the early 1970s, this Pro Stock Duster was always a threat to the other racers.Here’s what Reid Whisnant’s Pro Stock looked like back in the day. Before he ran Super Stock Cobra Jet Mustangs, Barrie Poole earned his reputation on this 427 powered Mercury Wagon.This Plymouth Valiant Funny Car was drug out of barn. It left the factory as a ’67 Z/28 but it’s owner immediately made it into a race car and Modified Eliminator class. The Motion Performance display showcased the pinnacle of personalized turnkey high-performance musclecars right from the dealer.Vendors offered quite the selection of old Car magazines.
 

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