First of all, that’s Volo, not Volvo.
While there, I spoke to one of the Grams family members who built, own and operate this charming place. I’m forgetting her first name, for which I apologize, but I asked her “what the place was all about.” She described it as a “hobby that just got way out of hand.” No matter, if you are near, or heading anywhere near Chicago, you must plan a day to visit. It’s a car collection, collector car dealer, antique mall, museum, and Hollywood car homage all wrapped into one sprawling, semi-rambling compound about an hour away from the Wonderful Windy City.
You know how it goes; Mr. Gram buys a cool car, then another, then he and his kids restore one, then buy and sell, and more and more, and all of a sudden, you have barns and outbuildings and warehouses full of cars.
Pay attention, Double O Seven
“The Blues Brothers” film was based in Chicago, so it only makes sense that Volo has a Bluesmobile. Long live Elwood and Jake!
There’s a little bit of everything, or maybe more like a lot of everything, here for everyone; everything from Duesenbergs to musclecars, and lots of great TV and movie cars, some actual screen used pieces, some just tributes made up to look like the real thing, but fun no matter what. Some of the museum-craft is a little folksy — don’t expect the Petersen Automotive museum or the Guggenheim here — but it doesn’t matter. It’s charming and the hardware is well worth your visit.
There’s also a diner on site so you can stop for a lunchbreak.
Very vintagy diner has decent food at reasonable prices.
Admission is cheap, and you can also picnic. The property is available for car shows and car club meets and suited perfectly for that. There’s some military stuff to be seen, and lots of trinkets and goodies to buy.
Lots of worthwhile collector cars to see and buy.
And this is a working collector car dealership too; much of what you’ll see (particularly musclecars) is for sale, most of it very nice, with prices that make some sense at least as a starting point. Open most days, closed most holidays. Hours all on the website.
Sprawling compound with lots to see and perfect spot for a car club show or meet.
I love this place!
Volo Auto Museum * 27582 Volo Village Rd, Volo IL 60073 www.volocars.com
Please don’t leave, more photos just below…
Need your own “Christine” Plymouth? You can buy one here.
Brittany Spears’ own CLK Cab, with lots of documentation, photos, and her initials in gold leaf on the doors so no reason to think its not real deal.
Also a bit of fast and dangerous for sale.
This ’72 4-4-2 ragtop plucked my heartstrings a bit as it reminded me too much of my own ’71. Although mine was a coupe. And it was Viking Blue, who it was still close enough. I don’t think the price was a lot and I should have bought it right then and there. Its since been sold.
Love this OUTSTANDING ’40, and nothing wrong with the Ford ragtop next to it either.
Lots of cool stuff sprinkled about the property.
The Volo Museum folks were kind enough to host me for a book signing just when my James Garner’s Motoring Life book was published. It was all set up by my friend Jim Suva, and the museum was the perfect host and an ideal place to do this. My thanks! That’s me on the left, and wonderful wife Linda on the right, with two of my “kids” McQueen’s Machines and the Garner book. Thanks y’all!