Just discovered a museum in Rockford, IL area with some old vehicles

[BobT-47P15]

I ran onto a newspaper page tonight that I have saved since July 4 of 2017 and re-read the story for which I saved the paper.  It was entitled "Belvedere vehicle headed to

Illinois auto museum".     It refers to the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere two door hardtop which was buried in the yard of the Tulsa, OK courthouse on the 50th anniversary of the 

state in 1957....to be dug up as a time capsule in 2007.  It was a big old Mopar deal the summer of 2007 which Don Coatney (48 Plymouth), myself (47 Plymouth),

a fellow named Pete from I think Utah (1950 Plymouth) and a couple other forum members went to witness the big event and participate in the car show.  While in town, Don and Pete,

who had been "talking trash" for a few years about whose car was the fastest after their respective engine rebuilds....held their "Big Race" on the interstate highway which

runs through Tulsa.  I was trying to keep up and take pictures as a witness.  The race ended up, as I recall, won by Coatney.....and concluded at a restaurant where we all went

in for lunch.  

 

Back to the original story --- the article I found said the 57 Tulsa Plymouth (named Miss Belvedere) was indeed given to a relative of the man who in 1957 guessed the 2007

population of Tulsa.  They, in turn, gave the car to a man in New York who manufactured a liquid de-rusting agent which he applied to the car to clean off as much rust

as possible.  Due to the weakened condition of most metal on the car, they could not scrub on it....but a lot of rust washed off.  So, after 10 years, the rust fellow tried to

find some place to take the car for display....which proved not so easy.  Finally, he contacted Wayne Lensing, owner of a small museum in Roscoe, Illinois---a suburb of Rockford...

called Historic Auto Attractions...who agreed to take the car.  The place is in an industrial park across the street from a business owned by Lensing and contains both auto

and non-auto artifacts....  There are things pertaining to Bonnie & Clyde, JFK, Hitler, Sanford & Son and many more as well as some notable historic vehicles.  The owner says he is going to enlarge the museum soon.  Under normal conditions, the museum is open Tu thru Sa 10-5 and Su 11-4.  Admission for adults is $13 and (I think) a discount for seniors and kids..  Address is 138252 Metric Dr, Roscoe, IL.  Phone  815-389-7917.   

 

First pic:  son in law and I ready to head for Tulsa in 2007.        2nd pic....in Tulsa...the blue sedan belonged to Don Coatney.  Had a DeSoto 6 cyl he overhauled himself.