The 2009 Chicago World Of Wheels car show brought out some of the hottest cars around, even though the temperature in Chicago was hovering around zero degrees the weekend of the show.   The World Of Wheels show had the usual wide variety of cars on display, ranging from local street cruisers to well-known car show favorites like the Batmobile and the Monkee Mobile.   These photos feaure the top 20 cars in the running for the Legend Cup award presented by Clean Tools, and award celebrating the best in show.   

1946 Chevy Pickup - Legend Cup Winner

Gene and Earlene Elpers of Evansville Indiana and their 1946 Chevy Pickup Truck "Ballistic" were crowned the winners of the 2009 World Of Wheels Clean Tools Ledgend Cup award.  Constructed over 7 years, Ballistic features hundreds of body modifications ranging from a 1937 Ford inspired grill to a one piece molded cab and bed combination.  The truck is powered by a fuel-injected 6.1 Chrysler Hemi V8 and backed by a Chrysler transmission.    Gene described the honor of winning the Legend Cup as "Super Good!" and that the key to the truck's success has been the attention to detail.   "Everything has to be right and has to look just right" Gene added.   

Clean Tools founder Bill Stewart describes the Ledgend Cup as an award given to a Select Six car that has the potential to be remembered for years to come.

1947 Ford Sportsman Woodie - SELECT SIX CAR

This 1947 Ford Sportsman Woodie is owned by Jim & Pat Talaga of Plainfield, IL and sports a traditional woodie look and modern power.    The maroon body and perfectly finished wood surround a lowered Air Ride chassis and an EFI Lincoln 4.6L V8 engine.   We liked the look of the polished beauty rings and caps on the wheels.   

1933 Willys - SELECT SIX CAR

John Mai's 1933 Willys captivated the crowd with it's stunning candy orange paint and creative custom touches.   The interior features a custom formed dash, console, and door panels, with seats covered in buttery tan leather.   The small-block Chevy V8 under the hood is just as smooth, as all the components are detailed to perfection - including the block and heads. 

1969 Chevrolet Camaro "Razor" - SELECT SIX CAR

Erv & Bonnie Woller's 1969 Camaro "Razor" is the latest creation from the Ring Brothers, and it's racking up trophies at every show it stops.   Pushing the pro-touring style to new levels, Razor features hundreds of subtle body modifications and an interior reminiscent of the latest concept cars.  Razor is powered by a limited edition Chevrolet ZL1 EFI big block and performs as well as it looks.

1937 Ford Cabriolet - SELECT SIX CAR

The 1937 Ford Cabriolet named "Velocity" demonstrates how the original shape of a vintage ragtop can be transformed into a slick show-stopper.   In addition to the spectacular orange candy paint, the extra details like the flowing side trim and Carson top tie it all together.   An EFI Chevy V8 provides the power, and a full tube chassis keeps the Cabrio rolling true. 

1933 Ford Pickup - SELECT SIX CAR

"Tangerine Scream" is the name of Scott & Jane Billish's 1933 Ford pickup, and this truck looks like a screamer.   Powered by a giant supercharged Hemi, Tangerine Scream features tons of vintage custom tricks.   We especially liked the Edsel grille shell and the glittery upholstery.  The cab has been treated to numerous modifications ranging from a significant top chop below the pearl ornage paint and cream colored scallops.   The bed is capped off with custom tail lights - we're guessing Thunderbird of some ilk.  Wide white cheater slicks and perfect paint complete the package.  

1938 Chevy Pickup

Larry & Connie Massengill brought out their highly customized 1938 Chevy Pickup truck featuring a pro-street driveline under a totally reworked body.   The supercharged Chevy V8 lurks under the reverse-opening hood, and the body boasts pages of modifications.   The unique stance is courtesy of a custom chassis, air suspension, and 20" billet wheels.   Inside, the blue hand-stiched interior hides a giant audio system and showcases the fabricated dash.  Built by the crew at The Custom Shop, you can find a video feature of this truck here on this website.   

1936 Australian Ford Ute

Originally built for hauling, this 1936 Ford Ute now hauls home trophies.  Paul Knowlson's Ford features a custom chassis, and the power comes from a GM crate big block V8.  The interior is a tasteful mix of swoopy hand-crafted fiberglass and steel, and the two-tone paint stretches the look of this slick sled.   The bed has been modified heavily to enhance the lines, and a pair of Corvette taillights rounds out custom rear section.  

1936 Ford Model 51 Wrecker

Mike Jessup showed his beautiful 1936 Ford Model 51 Wrecker Truck in a uniquely authentic display complete with vintage gas pumps.   The Ford retains a flathead engine and all the mechanicals to tow stalled show cars, but the vintage hook truck is much more at home as the center of the show. 

1940 Ford Coupe

Tom and Tammy Taylor's 1940 Ford Coupe turned heads all weekend long.   The radical custom features a modern 2-tone paint scheme divided by a tribal theme stripe.

1974 Datsun 620 4X4 Pickup Truck

Bob & Kathy Russ have owned this jaw-dropping 1974 Datsun 4x4 pickup for 28 years.    A supercharged 355 Chevy V8 powers the all owner-built truck over anything in it's way.  Show-goers spent hours studying the intricate chassis and tube suspension, complete with giant lift and hydraulically operated DANA 60 axles that give the truck 4-wheel steering!

1951 Ford Custom

It's hard to imagine that this slick custom 1951 Ford was built largely by the high school students from Roseville High in Roseville, Michegan.   The car served as the tool to teach the students everything from welding to upholstery, and their enthusiasm was the fuel to make it happen.   Only the paint and interior were farmed out to pros, and many of the students were on-hand to see the car stand tall in the show.  

1954 Oldsmobile Custom

One of the most unique stories of the 2009 World Of Wheels show is this 1954 Oldsmobile custom called Joanne's Dream.  You see, this car was shown right here back in 1962, and deteriorated over the years.  The crew at Marquis Auto Restorations found the car and restored it far nicer than it was back in the day, and brought it out again to the Chicago World Of Wheels show.   Some of the many modifications include a Corvette top and Corvette-inspired side coves, complimented by custom trim and paint.  

1949 Cadillac

Some have said that Cadillacs are among the hardest cars to customize, because they were already decked-out from the factory.   However, Dennny Luma's 1949 Cadillac Sedanette is as slick as they come.   It's ultra-deep black paint, slammed stance, and 500 cubic-inch Cadillac engine combine perfectly to create a tasteful head-turner that stands out in any show.

1946 Ford Custom

"Voodoo Larry" Grobe brought out the "Voodoo Idol", a traditional custom featuring timeless style.   It's chopped, channeled, sectioned, widened, lengthened, smoothed, and slammed... along with untold other mods.   We almost had to steo over this car it's so low.    The pearl green paint is accented by subtle striping.   Powered by a Chevy 305, Voodoo Larry's '46 is a real American Idol.

 
1957 Volvo TP21 4X4 Utility Wagon

It was impossible to miss the bright yellow 1957 Volvo TP21 owned by David and Susan Gehring.   From the outside, the yellow monster truck stands ready to attack the roughest terrain, but the inside is designed for total creature comfort.  Large screen LCD TVs, high performance audio, and even a satellite dish in the rooftop carrier make sure the occupants are entertained on their journey.  It is powered by a GM 572 Crate V8 and rolls on custom bead-lock wheels and giant 40" Nitto mud tires.   The truck is named "Sugga", which translates from Swedish to "Sow" or "Hog".

1969 Chevrolet Pickup

Brent Griffith's 1969 Chevrolet pickup is the kind of truck that requires you to wear sun glasses when checking it out.   The flawless gold paint and stunning polished and plated trim flashed blinding glints of light around the show.    Under the hood lies an equally detailed supercharged Chevy V8, and the chassis and suspension are cleaner than most cars' top sides.

1969 Ford Mustang Fastback

Joe Graziano's 1969 Mustang sucked in crowds like a black hole.   The arrow-straight Fastback is as black as they come, and under the ultra-slick body hides a full custom road-race inspired chassis and suspension system.   The 408 cubic-inch Ford V8 has plenty of power to get the car moving, and the driver is surrounded by a complete Pioneer custom stereo to enjoy the ride even more.

1932 Ford Roadster

No hot rod show is complete without a 1932 Ford Roadster, and Jim Marr's steel-bodied Ford features all the elements that make a hot rod.   A big Ford Racing 460 V8 puts the rumble in the seats.  The Imperial Blue paint is set off by a translucent silver and red flame job, and the pulse-quickening red interior grabs the eye.  Modern big wheels and trick suspension make for a sure-footed ride.  

1957 Chevrolet

Melvin Milligan's 1957 Chevrolet hardtop wears a classic maroon and tan color scheme, but is updated with polished and chromed trim and a fuel-injected big block Chevy V8 under the hood.  A full-custom dash and tan leather interior bring the inside up to date, and the fully independent suspension, big wheels and high performance brakes help the "Grand Ruby" drive as nice as it looks.  

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