EVENT
Images by THE AUTHORard to believe, but we’ve completed another lap around the sun and November has rolled in once again right on schedule. For most holiday-minded folks, the highlight is Thanksgiving. But if you’re the type who prefers a full plate of muscle cars, the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, remains the perfect warmup to Turkey Day. Think of the MCACN show as a feast—a variety of irresistible dishes served in one place. No matter which automotive brand you favor, you can count on seeing something new each year thanks to the ever-changing themed displays. It has arguably become the most influential indoor muscle car event in the world.
The 16th edition once again delivered plenty of Bowtie eye candy. In the lobby, attendees were greeted by Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins’ 1972 Pro Stock Vega. A few steps into the main hall brought another iconic racer: Fred Gibb’s first race car, a freshly restored 1967 Camaro Z/28 unveiled on Saturday to help raise the excitement level. Further inside, the Class of 1965 Invitational showcased several L79-equipped Chevelles, including a sub display that featured an entire row of ultrarare 1965 396 Z16-optioned cars. The Fine 09’s Invitational added more Chevrolet flavor, bringing together numerous 409-powered models spanning several years. The Camaro Legends Invitational was a return display once again due to its popularity.
Official unveilings have become a hallmark of MCACN, with restoration shops timing their projects specifically for the show. On Saturday, Peter Brock revealed his latest reinterpretation of the 1963 Corvette from the Peter Brock Studio. The newly restored 1967 Fred Gibb Camaro Z/28, a 1969 Yenko 427 Nova, and a 1969 Baldwin-Motion Phase III Camaro—both the latter owned by Phil Mitchell—also had their covers pulled for their public debut.
Several Chevrolets participated in Vintage Certification, while Corvette owners chased the prestigious Triple Diamond Award. This is a bar that is set exceptionally high: eligible cars must have previously earned NCRS Top Flight or NCRS 4- or 5-Star Bowtie status, Bloomington Gold Certification, or a Bloomington Survivor award.
For Corvette fans, 2025 was a standout year. The Triple Diamond Gallery featured three distinct rows representing the first three generations of Corvette, with additional examples scattered throughout the show floor. While the gallery focused on restored and unrestored originals, restomods, customs, and race-prepped Corvettes also made strong appearances.
One display that consistently draws a crowd is the Barn Finds & Rare Gems collection curated by Auto Archeologist Ryan Brutt. For 2025, three Chevrolets were included: a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6, a 1971 LS6 Corvette, and a 1967 Camaro RS Z/28.
Planning ahead for 2026? The dates are easy to remember—they always fall the weekend before Thanksgiving. Mark your calendar for November 21–22, 2026.
A fresh restoration from the crew at the Super Car Workshop, this 1967 RS/SS has been restored to its 1972 livery when it was part of a six-car effort sponsored by the Schmidt’s of Philadelphia beer company. The current owner, Jamie Cooper, purchased this car recently from the original owner/driver Rudy Rosa who was a big beer distributor in the Latrobe, Pennsylvania, area. Underhood is a race-prepped 327ci small-block that has been punched out 331 ci, 12.0:1 compression, ported 461 heads, and period-correct Weiand single-plane ported intake.
While MCACN is primarily a car show, there are parts vendors in a few spots, with most selling used original or N.O.S. items. This is not a major part of the show but the parts up for grabs are top shelf in terms of quality and desirability.
These three 1965 Corvettes owned by Rick Barrack were some of the featured cars at the show. All three are L78 396/425hp-equipped coupes, of which only 2,157 total were produced in 1965. The 396 was a one-year option and was the precursor to the 427 big-block introduced in 1966. What makes this trio so special is that all three are highly original—arguably some of the most original examples left.
Owned by John Milota, this 1970 Camaro Z28 was waiting to go for its Vintage Certification. This car is an incredible time capsule with only 3,038 miles on the odometer from new. The 1975 Corvette, also going for its Vintage Certification has just 9,077 miles logged and has been the recipient of a Top Flight Award, Bloomington Survivor Award, and a Bloomington Silver Certification.
In 1965 Chevrolet produced 201 Z16 Chevelles. While that number is quite low, this Tuxedo Black example owned by Mike Smith is a one-of-one as it is the only post car produced. Mike got the car from his cousin who originally ordered it to go racing. Using the GM COPO system, he was able to order it with the 425hp 396, M22 four-speed, and 4.11 gears. He was 17 when his cousin sold it him, minus the driveline, which he replaced with an Olds 330 V-8, an Olds automatic transmission, and 3.23 gears. Mike ended up placing the car in storage for many years as he started to track down N.O.S. parts that were date code correct. The restoration on the car spanned 15 years.
Peter Brock is a household name in the Corvette world and is still very active with his hands in a variety of things automotive related. Unveiled at the 2025 MCACN was his latest reinterpretation of the C2 Corvette that he had a hand in creating. This car, which is painted Ferrari Blue and is built on an Art Morrison chassis and powered by an LT4 engine underhood, is destined to head to auction in 2026 at the Mecum Kissimmee event in Florida.
Dan McMichael’s 1973 Motion Camaro started life as Rally Sport powered by a 350ci small-block mated to a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. The original owner purchased the car and eventually called Motion Performance in Long Island, New York, to have the Camaro upgraded with their phase III package, which offered several different options. The 350 small-block was swapped out with a 454 LS6 big-block backed by a heavy-duty Turbo-Hydramatic 400 and a high stall speed converter. Externally, the Camaro was given the Motion striping package, Cragar wheels, headers, and chrome side pipes, along with a fiberglass L88-style hood.
Some cars have been with their owners for decades. That is the case with Don Bock’s 1965 Malibu SS convertible that was part of the Class of 1965 Invitational. Bock has owned the car for 40 years and had a full restoration performed on it 19 years ago using all N.O.S. and original parts.
Mixed in with the various Yenko Corvairs was this 1969 COPO Yenko Stinger Corvair. This car was ordered with the 240hp Stage IV engine capable of reaching and maintaining speeds in excess of 140 mph. The car was ordered by the Goodyear tire company for testing 13-inch tires for Ford of Australia because neither Ford nor GM had a suitable car for that task.
Taking center stage as folks walked in, this freshly restored 1967 Camaro Z/28 is credited as being Fred Gibbs first race car. As delivered in 1967 it was placed into the dealership’s inventory as a “Demo 302 Camaro Racer.” Named “Little Hoss,” it was campaigned with a 302ci small-block by Herb Fox, a salesman at Gibb’s dealership. It was the embodiment of the philosophy of “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” to drive traffic to their dealership in La Harpe, Illinois. This recent restoration takes the car back to its original 1967 Royal Plum metallic paint scheme and lettering.
In the Barn Finds and Hidden Gems section was the “Sunkist” Chevelle. This car was found in a Nevada warehouse a few years ago. It is a legit SS454 LS6-equipped car that originally rolled out of the Van Nuys, California, assembly plant. It is believed to be the earliest LS6-equipped Chevelle to roll out of that assembly plant.
