MCACN 2019: Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals

The 11th annual Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) was held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL from November 21-22, 2019.

Featuring more than 500 vintage muscle cars and corvettes, spread out 9 acres of floor space, I was hard-pressed to see each vehicle… let alone take photos of each within two days.

If you’ve never been to MCACN, it’s certainly worth doing at least once if you’re passionate about old school Muscle Cars or Corvettes.

Each year, there MCACN features different themes and exhibits so it’s extremely rare for a Muscle Car or Corvette to come back a second time.

For example, MCACN 2018 featured a 1969 Buick GS Stage 1 in the Barn Finds and Hidden Gems exhibit. One year later, it returned fully restored at MCACN 2019.

This addictive process keeps the MCACN fresh and exciting so you don’t get a repeat the year after of the same vehicles.

How MCACN Works

Unlike other car shows, MCACN organizers don’t accept just any vehicle from the muscle car era. You either have to be invited or accepted in order to show your vehicle.

Each vehicle is deliberately curated and handpicked. You can’t just show up with your car, pay an entrance fee, and be in the show. All entries are selected and approved well in advance.

There are more than 400 meticulously restored muscle cars and corvettes that make it into the show each year. However, not every vehicle at MCACN is in Concours condition.

In fact, quite the contrary.

MCACN Barn Finds and Hidden Gems Exhibit

One of the most popular displays at MCACN is the Barn Finds and Hidden Gems exhibit. Each year a few dozen muscle cars are shown in crusty, rusty, and otherwise unrestored condition.

Personally, it was my favorite display.

Curated by Ryan Brutt, author of the book Muscle Car Barn Finds, Ryan recruits dozens of owners of barn finds and basket cases to exhibit their rusty treasures each year at MCACN.

Vehicles are loaded up onto a covered trailer in as-is condition—with caked-on dust, bird droppings, and all—and then they are trucked to the show for the exhibit.

MCACN Exhibits

MCACN is way more than just a car show. Events include invitational displays, celebrity appearances, seminars, unveilings, certifications, meet and greets with authors, and more.

Following is a list of invitational exhibits that took place this year.

MCACN Unveilings

On Saturday, nearly 20 Muscle Cars were unveiled for the first time between 9:30 am to 1 pm. Each one was restored to perfection and was a thrill to witness each reveal.

Following is a full list of the premier unveilings.

MCACN 2019 Photo Gallery

Here are 60 photos taken during the 2019 Muscle Cars and Corvette Nationals that help illustrate the variety of makes, models, and years and what it’s like to walk the show floor.

Well, there you have our coverage of the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. Be sure to subscribe if you like this kind of content!

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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