[GALLERY] Corvettes Stun at the 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is behind us, we can continue to reflect on the 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) show. Like every year, we’re reminded why this is the absolute best all-make car show out there. The diversity of cars never disappoints and just when you think you’ve heard of or seen everything out there, the MCACN staff says “Hold my beer” and pulls another incredible ride out of the woodwork.

This year’s red carpet feature display saluted Ford and Mercury cars. Next to that you found a crazy twin-engine Olds Toranado, a Cheetah vs Cobra display, and another rare yellow Mustang which served as 1 of the weekend’s premier unveilings. Further back, the famous Rapid Transit System Barracuda and its builder, Chuck Miller, drew crowds all weekend.

The mini “shows within the show” are just one feature that makes MCACN so special. This year’s menu of muscle car treats included an evolution of the Dodge Charger, a display of big body Buicks and a similar group of Impalas, as well as a small display of old-school Broncos. Elsewhere they showcased Malaise Era mid-70’s cars, a history of the Ford GT, and celebrated the 40th anniversary of Saleen. The popular Barn Finds and Hidden Gems overflowed their usual corner of the show thanks to a bumper crop of new discoveries.

Automotive celebrities were around all weekend as well. We spotted TV’s Chris Jacob’s and Wayne Carini, automotive legend Peter Brock, actor David Sullivan, and drag racers Bruce Larson and Arnie Beswick among several others. Vendors, for sale cars, seminars and more complete the robust weekend agenda.

Corvettes from nearly every generation carried Zora’s torch at this year MCACN. As usual most were found in Corvette Central’s Triple Diamond display. By our count, at least 40 Bloomington Gold and NCRS Top Flight winners competed for the Concourse Gold and Triple Diamond hardware. Competitors ranged from all the way from a pair of 1954’s up to a 2003 50th anniversary edition. Interestingly, a 25th anniversary edition and a 40th anniversary edition were in attendance as well.

Some of our favorite rides this year included a quartet of L89-powered C3’s, a stunning Cascade Green 1957, and the Vault Find 1967 427/435 with its 8,000 miles on the odometer. We were also quite smitten with a lovely silver 1971 LT-1 coupe and great unrestored 1970 LS5 in the Bloomington Gold display. Congratulations to Frank Stech who won the 3rd annual CorvetteBlogger Pick award with his green 1967 427/435 convertible that he’s owned for 36 years.

Corvette racers represented in Chicago as well. The Corvette Legends Invitational featured some of the most significant racers in Corvette history. What the display lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality. The group was anchored by the recently completed 1960 #1 Lemans racer which was flanked by the #1 1962 Lemans racer, and the #4 Rebel C3. The 1962 #5 Bardahl Special looked on from just across the aisle. If that’s not enough, the #4 Camoradi Lemans racer was just around the corner next to a lineup of midyear Triple Diamond cars.

As usual, there was so much going on at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, we just can’t cover it all here. You have to attend the show to fully comprehend the MCACN experience. Every square inch of the Donald E. Stephens convention center contained something for any gearhead. Here’s a hit tip to the MCACN staff who put it all together and we look forward to seeing what they come with next year.

Now, enjoy our Corvette gallery from the 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals.

Source:
Photos by Steve Burns

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