2022 MUSCLE CAR AND CORVETTE NATIONALS

The MCACN Show Offers Up Another Batch of Rare GM Muscle Cars

By John Machaqueiro   –   Photography by the Author

The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) serves up a healthy plate of muscle car goodness at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Usually held on the third weekend of November, the MCACN show has become more than that–it’s now an annual event–one that increasingly showcases rare muscle car unveilings from some of the top restoration shops.

- Advertisement -

002 MCACN

Every year the organizers keep the show fresh by creating invitational displays that highlight a specific milestone in the muscle car era. The show is brand agnostic and uniquely American in flavor with some of the finest and rarest muscle cars that are still with us.

003 454 camaro

- Advertisement -

Check it out: 24th Camaro Nationals

For the GM faithful, as you entered the show, greeting you was one such example. On display was the No. 3 1960 Cunningham Le Mans Corvette class winner currently owned by Irwin Kroiz. As you walk deeper into the hall, on display was a ’67 Chevelle SS still wearing its original paint, vinyl top, and interior–and only 48.2 miles on the odometer–all logged in quarter-mile increments. Other race-prepped cars, some with Yenko pedigree, could be found on display as well.

004 electric green chevy nova

One of the more intriguing–and courageous—displays this year was the “Malaise Era Invitational” acknowledging the existence of Detroit’s performance efforts from the mid ’70s to the late ’80s. Perhaps the most intriguing was a trio of ’77 Camaro Z28s, with one boasting only 163 miles on the odometer.

- Advertisement -

005 350 chevy nova

Another fantastic Chevy-flavored display was the “GMMG Legends Invitational,” which brought 9 of the 30 widebody fourth-gen Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition ’02 Camaros together. Author and Camaro historian Matt Avery organized this event.

006 chevy ss 396

Part of the show’s increasing popularity is also the number of rare unrestored original cars that are on display every year. As part of that segment, owners can have their cars undergo a “Vintage Certification” process performed by experts in their respective brands.

007 batina chevy nova

Arguably the most popular display is of course the “Barn Finds and Rare Gems” gathering curated by the Auto Archeologist, Ryan Brutt. Every year he manages pull in some insanely rare cars that look past their prime. This year’s Chevy offerings came in the form of a Z16 optioned 396 ’65 Chevelle SS, and a well-hammered ’69 Yenko SC Nova.

008 chevy nova original engine bay

The Corvette part of the show was also well represented with a large selection of C1 through C8 models.

Dates for the 2023 edition have been set in stone for November 18-19, 2023, so make your plans for another rare muscle car gathering.

Check it out: 23rd Annual Camaro Nationals

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

Search Our Site

More Chevy Performance

Chevy Concepts — 1963 Chevrolet Corvette

Vehicle Owner: BJ Bjerke Artwork by Tavis Highlander Instagram @tavishighlander TavisHighlander.com There’s a...

Thump in the Night

Dan Miller’s Pro Street ’71 Camaro By Scotty Lachenauer   - ...

A Better Sniper

Holley’s Upgraded Sniper 2 Throttle Body EFI By Jeff Smith ...

Ambition

Ryan and Angel Cashman’s Pro Touring ’69 Camaro By Nick...

Street Shaker Revisited

Michael Fitzgerald Injects New Life Into This ’70 Nova...

Make it Cool

Johnson’s Radiator Works Builds an Efficient Copper and Brass...
More Chevy Performance

My Name Is Earl

Eric Mead’s 1955 Chevy 210 By Shawn Brereton   -   Photography...

Firing Up- Code of Ethics

By Nick Licata The summer of 2023 is one for...

Making History

Old-School Chevy Muscle from the Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals By...

Camaros at the Mall

The 2023 Camaro Nationals By John Machaqueiro  -   Photography by...

Boosted Advice

Experts Weigh In By Jeff Huneycutt   -   Photography by the...

Camaro Mini-Tubs

When a Little is Just Enough! By Eric Geisert   -  ...