Words and Photos: Robby Pacicco
Once a year since 2009, the highway systems of North America transform into veins, leading muscle car enthusiasts and afficionados into the continent’s figurative heart, the rhythmic and soulful city of Chicago, IL. Just minutes away from the O’Hare International airport and steps away from the famous Rosemont Theater stands the immense venue known as the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. The convention center becomes the Motor City within the Windy City. The place that gave us Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, the Smashing Pumpkins, Herbie Hancock and so many more of music’s iconic names hosts what is known officially as the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, or as it is simply referred to as MCACN. Hundreds of trailers hauling precious examples of classic American performance vehicles spend hours if not days on the road from all over Canada and the USA to transport their precious cargo to MCACN. Once delivered and the trailers are unloaded, the displays are up and ready to accept guests from all over the world, that’s when for two very special days the combined area of 870 000 square feet within the lobby and exhibit hall of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center becomes “sweet home Chicago” for everyone in attendance.
What MCACN is surpasses just being a simple, yet large scale automobile show. It’s a gathering of car culture and lifestyle so immaculately organized by a team of devotees. A team so organized and efficient in planning such a colossal event, one could question if they are the same team in charge of production and logistics for Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole. The moment guests walk into the venue they are greeted with rarities and fan favorites causing contagious smiles from the baby stroller to the seasoned grey haired forever 18-year-olds. Enough original Boss 429 Mustangs and Hemi Cudas in every direction that they may as well be Corollas and Silverados for how many examples could be found. So many “greatest hits” offered by the American automotive industry all under one gigantic roof. Every car on display is different from the next and each one having its own unique story. From a 17 year old boy who bought a ’56 Chevy when he was only 10 to restore from the ground up so he could work on it with the goal to drive it to prom, to a barn find Ford Torino Talladega still covered in decades of dust, dirt and grime, just waiting for the tender love and care to be brought back to glory. Every single example on hand having history to equal the horsepower, revealed a soul surpassing their once basic function as simple fun transportation and mere mechanical existence.
The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals has become so important to all automotive appreciators from every walk of life. From the casual tire kicking magazine/blog reader to the Formula One paddock club member. It’s an art gallery and gathering that requires experiencing. Just like each car showcased with a story to tell, so do the guests exploring in childlike wide-eyed wonder. Chris from Texas says “This is the one thing circled on my calendar every year! I attend F1 around the world and other automotive events, Pebble Beach, Goodwood too. However, I decide to attend those sporadically and impulsively based on my availability. This, MCACN, I plan for it. I can’t miss it! “The Texan has attended the event over the years as an attendee with friends and family and has the plan of one day entering his very own cars or collection under the bright lights. The resonation MCACN emits has caused an international connection, rippling into waves reaching those far and wide traversing oceans. “All over Europe, these cars are the exotics, rarely see them.” explains Lukas from Norway, “I like this event so much because it allows me to experience the people and the cars so much more. I read a lot and watch videos and films,” Lukas continues while removing the tag from his newly purchased Mopar or No Car baseball cap, “to be here I can connect differently than back home. Maybe I should sell my Audi and buy a Dodge Charger!”
At 5:30PM on the Sunday and second day of MCACN, only staff, volunteers and crews with their cars are left. As the metronome of the weekend slows to a complete a stop, the tempo shifts to the bittersweet curtain call of engines rumbling, trembling through the entire state of Illinois. The cars all start up, line up and drive out to their respective transportation carriers, hidden away once again in the darkness of trailers. A complete contrast after a few days being front and center stage for so many to admire and appreciate. As the rolling masterworks of Chevrolet COPO and Yenko Camaros exit with the Shelby GT350s and GT500s, the seemingly never-ending parade of earth-shaking power renders everyone speechless. Bob Asthon, one of the key organizers and reasons MCACN is an absolute success year in and year out even said “I’ve had people tell me the end of the show is so important to them. It’s one thing to see so many cars, but to see and hear so many in action at once, I get it.” Actions being louder than words, especially with that many well tuned V8 beasts together, few things are comparable. The overall experience of MCACN is over quicker than many would like it to be, however, it’s all about it being a good time, not a long time. Like any great performance, it leaves people wanting more and more. No wonder at 5:31PM on that same and final day as the crowds of car lovers watch the procession of classic, vintage and old school leaving the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, they are already planning and searching for accommodations for the following year. MCACN is so perfectly and remarkably planned it deserves to be considered beyond a large-scale car show or gathering. It is categorically a euphoric experience designed to draw smiles, connect individuals and initiate purely good vibes throughout the hobby. The channel might be set to Muscle Car, but the frequency is broadcasting to all automotive disciples, even beyond this rock orbiting the sun we call home. Ground Control to Major Tom, please confirm and acknowledge, over.
To learn more about MCACN please visit https://www.mcacn.com/
