It’s Classic Car Collector Appreciation Day

Jul 9, 2022

Today is Classic Car Collector Day and what could be more exciting than that? Nothing! Today we’re going to take a look at some of the great automotive museums you can visit in Illinois, and get in touch with automotive history! Gearheads of all ages will appreciate the incredible history, culture, and design as well as the memorabilia and collectibles on display at these museums and galleries.

Did we leave your favourite off the list? Let us know in the comments on our social media, and we might just feature your picks in an upcoming blog!

Great Automotive Museums in Illinois

Pontiac-Oakland Auto Museum in Pontiac is a great stop off on Route 66, and houses rotating collections and exhibits of iconic automobiles and touchstones in automotive history. The cars were made in Pontiac and are now on display with educational presentations, lectures, and memorabilia that covers the history and manufacturing process. It’s a must-see for any gearhead and car enthusiast, no matter the age!

Volo Museum in Volo is located on 35 gorgeous acres of land, and is one of the USA’s most unique automotive museums! First established in the 1960s, this is a one-stop shop for automotive history as well as classic car collectors – you can view the cars on display, or visit the showroom and invest in an iconic car for your collection. The museum has 300 different cars from classics to antiques to muscle cars, and showcases the nation’s largest collection of Movie and Television’s iconic cars.

Mid America Motorworks My Garage Museum in Effingham is a budget friendly day trip work making! This specialized museum offers free admission to all, so you can get an up-close-and-personal look at rare, unique, and classic cars. You’ll find vintage memorabilia, rare low-mileage originals, and 15-20 cars in a rotating exhibit so you’ll not see the same thing twice! The display changes several times a year, so there’s always something new to explore. The main highlights are classic Corvettes and historic Volkswagens, and general retro car memorabilia.

Klairmont Kollections in Chicago is a private car collection and museum curated by Larry Klairmont, an 84-year-old retired Marine, and one of the Chicago area’s top vintage auto collectors. This 100,000 foot building is jam packed with an incredible variety of cars and thorough automotive history. Each of the 300+ cars is in pristine condition, and also displays a wide variety of motor scooters, motorcycles, airplanes, and even a model train layout from the New York World’s Fair in 1964! You don’t want to miss the golden opportunity to view his impressive collection.

Wheels O’Time Museum in Dunlap is a real interesting destination, especially for families! This creative museum is home to a selection of Locomotives, Railcars, Rare Cars, Collectible Toys, Unique Clocks, and so, so much more! LEGO enthusiasts will love the “Bricks in Motion” display, a new part of the museum’s permanent collection as of 2022. Toy car collectors will appreciate case after case of vintage toy cars, john deere tractors, and model trains. There’s even an American History exhibit on loan from the Dunlap Public Library. It’s a real eclectic mix of things to explore, and everyone in your party will have a great time perusing the exhibits!

Corvair Museum in Glenarm is another wonderful roadside stop on any Route 66 road trip. Operated by the Corvair Preservation Foundation, this facility houses pristine models of Corvair Cars, Trucks, Powertrain displays, and general brand memorabilia. Gearheads will be enthralled by the exquisite condition of these vintage vehicles!

Interested in starting a vintage car collection of your own? Yeah, us too! Check out some of these great YouTube videos from our personal playlists that can give you some inspiration. Don’t have your own garage or any room to store full-size cars? We get it, and that’s why we’ve also included some picks for how to start your own Scale Model Car Collection and save some space until you can have the real deal!

Glenns Car Collection: How to Start a Car Collection