The Muscle Cars & Corvette Nationals (MCACN 2021) made a triumphant return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, after canceling the 2020 event due to the pandemic.
Organizers raised the bar by combining events from 2020’s canceled event and seamlessly blending them into this year’s spectacle, including the “Class of 1970” and “General Motors Top Dogs of 1970” displays.
MCACN is a World-class car show and is the penultimate muscle car event in the World—simply calling it a “car show” doesn’t do this thrilling supercar extravaganza justice.
Organizers of The Muscle Cars & Corvette Nationals are a passionate group of enthusiasts who do a fantastic job of bringing together the best of the best muscle cars and Corvettes under one roof each year. How they pull it off every year is simply remarkable.
What is remarkable is that 99% of the vehicle there are legitimate and authentic supercars—meaning you’d be hard-pressed to find a clone or tribute anywhere on the showroom floor. So, if you see a Pontiac GTO Judge, it’s a real Judge. Likewise, if it has a Ram Air IV engine, it originally came with a Ram Air IV engine—and has the documentation to back it up.
Organizers show no favoritism to one make or model. Instead, they find a way to bring together a mind-blowing arrangement of crusty barn finds, preservations, and fully restored vehicles from GM, Chrysler, Ford, Studebaker, and AMC that feel fresh and interesting every year.
Let’s look at some of the highlights from MCACN 2021, shall we?
Table of Contents
Welcome Mat Muscle Cars
Five unusual muscle cars adorned the front entrance of MCACN, welcoming thousands of show attendants as they entered the expansive cavern of vintage high-performance vehicles.
Two stunning muscle cars were front and center, including the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner ad car and the famous 1970 Ford “Law Man” Mustang owned by pro-wrestler Bill Goldberg.
Lastly, a 1 of 1 Black on Black 1970 Ford Boss 302 from the Brother’s Collection and two stunning 1970 Buick GSXs led you to the highly anticipated “General Motors Top Dogs of 1970” display.
General Motors Top Dogs of 1970 Invitational
Sponsored by the Brother’s Collection, this red carpet invitational display featured the General Motors Top Dogs of 1970. An extraordinary gathering of Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30s, Pontiac Ram Air IVs, Buick Stage 1s, and Chevrolet LS6s lined up in a sea of different appearance packages, drivetrains, and body styles.
Class of 1970 Invitational
1970 muscle cars were arguably the penultimate high-performance vehicles during the muscle car era, offering over-the-top engine, color, and styling choices. Auto manufacturers introduced many iconic muscle car models in 1970, including the Challenger, Rallye 350, Duster, Formula Firebird, Superbird, GSX, ‘Cuda, and GT-37. In 1970, General Motors lifted its 400 cubic inch ban on intermediate models, which resulted in the 454 at Chevrolet and 455 at Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac. MCACN 2021 didn’t disappoint, featuring the best muscle cars from 1970.
Class of 1971 Invitational
This year’s MCACN 2021 event celebrated the 50th anniversary of 1971 muscle cars. Many consider 1971 the last gasp for high-performance engines during the muscle car era that saw the end of the factory’s 426 Hemi, Ram Air III and IV, 428 CJ, and LS6 engines.
Buick GS Invitational
The Buick GS display featured some of the rarest and best examples of 1970 Buick GS and GSX hardtops and convertibles in existence. Each was complete with paperwork verifying their authenticity and provenance as factory-born Stage 1 vehicles.
T/A Challengers & AAR Cuda
Another 1970 carry-over display at MCACN 2021, the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A and 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda exhibition featured dozens of top-notch specimens from various parts of the United States.
Barn Finds & Hidden Gems
Automotive journalist Ryan Brutt curated another impressive assortment of remarkable barn finds and hidden gems from GM, Ford, Chrysler, and Studebaker. Highlights include a 1969 Yenko Camaro 427 SYC, 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi, 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda (featured on the cover of Brutt’s Muscle Car Barn Finds book), 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX Convertible, 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle S Z-16, and 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 convertible.
Ford & Mercury Cobra Jet Invitational
Automotive journalists Diego Rosenberg and Rob Kinnan curated an exciting display of Cobra Jet powered Fords and Mercurys—having just co-authored a new book on the subject. This impressive collection included several notables: a 1971 Torino Cobra, a 1969 Cyclone spoiler Dan Gurney Special, a 1970 Ranchero GT, a 1971 Mustang Coupe, and a 1970 Cougar Eliminator, among other quintessential Cobra Jet powered supercars that all packed a venomous bite.
1966 and 1967 442 W-30 Syndicate Invitational
Phil Welch and John Kenneally pulled together the largest display of 1966 and 1967 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30s to assemble at MCACN 2021—some of the most precious and desirable 4-4-2s ever to exist. The W-30 was the top-of-the-line high-performance option at Oldsmobile and began terrorizing the streets in 1966. But unfortunately, the Lansing assembly plant only produced 54 units in 1966, while Oldsmobile increased production to 503 units in 1967.
The Judges Chambers
MCACN 2021 featured a host of honorable 1969-1971 Pontiac GTO Judges in The Judges Chambers display—ranging from Ram Air IIIs to 455 HO power plants under their respective ram air hoods. Highlights include a Carousel Red RAIII 1969 GTO Judge, Polar White RAIII 1970 GTO Judge, Starlight Black RAIII 1969 GTO Judge, and an Orbit Orange 1970 RAIV GTO Judge. Unfortunately, absent from the Chambers was a 1971 GTO Judge—likely due to a last-minute cancellation.
Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags Display
The Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags Display features muscle cars raced at the Mid Michigan Motorplex every September in Stanton, Michigan. This year, an exciting collection of Muscle Cars featured many years, makes, and models, including a 1970 Ford Torino Cobra 429, 1970 Pontiac GT-37, 1972 Dodge Demon 340, and several other notable quarter-mile contenders.
Nashnutz AMC Invitational Display
Fans of American Motors muscle cars enjoyed eye candy at the Nashnutz AMC Invitational Display at MCACN 2021, including a 1970 Mark Donahue Javelin, a patriotic 1970 Javelin SST Trans Am, a 1970 Rebel Machine, and a 1971 Javelin AMX 401, among a few other rare gems. While the 2019 display was more prominent with more vehicles, it still stood out and represented AMC muscle cars well.
Pontiac Ram Air Firebird Invitational
MCACN 2021 featured a wide assortment of 1967-1972 Ram Air Firebirds and Trans Ams in the Pontiac Ram Air Firebird Invitational display. Some of the highlights include the first production 1969 Pontiac Trans Am, 1967 Ram Air Firebird Convertible, 1968 Ram Air Firebird Right Hand Drive, 1969 Firebird Ram Air IV, hardtop, and three Lucerne Blue 1970-1972 Trans Ams—ranging from Ram Air IV up to a 455 HO—and a 1973 Brewster Green 455 Super Duty Trans Am.
There were several other invitational displays of note, including Studebaker Legends, Real Day 2, Pro Stock Legends, Muscle Bikes, Vintage Mini Bikes, Vintage Motocross bikes, and Corvette Triple Diamond Showcase—not to mention dozens of smaller gatherings of vintage vehicles like “Mopar Alley.”
Well, there you have the highlights from the MCACN 2021 show. Be sure to subscribe if you like muscle car show coverage like this!
Ryan Wheaton
Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.
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First time we went to MCACN was in 2016 with our 1966 GTO. Totally amazed and blown away. Went back with a car in 2017 and 2018. Again both shows were incredible. 2019, no car but attended. Saw Shirly Shahan, got her autograph. Another killer show. Went back in 2021 with another car. Again Bob and his crew went over and above. Plan on going back again in 2022.