World of Wheels 2011
Welcome to the outrageous! The Autorama World Of Wheels at Chicagoland’s Donald E. Stephens convention center in Rosemont featured a nearly endless display of custom and restored cars from every era. From limos, luxury and muscle cars to rat rods and motorcycles, this show had everything on wheels. Also featured were select vendors, guests and fun stuff for the kids. This cavalcade of customs takes place in select cities over the next few months. Meanwhile, we’ll explore some of the Chicago show highlights. This place was really jumpin’!
Let’s wax our boards, then catch a wave. Roadsters, Woodys and Beetles were the order of the day!
This one’s called the Roswell Rod, proudly “the East Coast’s first radical handmade bubblecar”.
Here’s a ’57 Chevy custom in a hot “cherished” cherry red pearl color.
Now for a real head-turner. Pontiac’s answer to the ponycar (as started by Ford’s Mustang) was the Firebird. Here’s a ’67 with a great looking two-tone paint job and custom wheels.
This is what a chopped, wider and longer ’40 Ford looks like. Oh yeah, and it’s lowered a little.
A big section was devoted to Corvettes. The first true American sportscar continues to be a class of it’s own. Here’s where it all began. It’s a ’53 first year model. A V8 wasn’t available yet.
Another ’57 Chevy here, only this is a legend in the Chicago racing circuit dating back to the 60’s. “Shake, Rattle and Run” was possibly the finest and fastest.
One of my favorites in the show, it’s a ’69 Shelby GT500 that’s fully restored and numbers matching. It looked gorgeous!
An elevated ’70 Chevelle Convertible displays its detailed undercarriage.
On to some of the nitty gritty rods. A chopped model A ’30 Ford with a 354 hemi motor is pictured.
Three bad boys from the rear.
Once a Cadillac, now it’s something else.
Fans of “The Munsters” TV show will know this one.
The motorcycle section was far smaller then the cars, but I suppose enough to satisfy.
Miniature rides were on hand for the kids, fueling the desire to be 16 and behind the wheel of a REAL car.
The World Of Wheels custom car show series will continue through April 2011 in various cities. Refer to AutoRama’s website for further information.
