Taking My Kei Van to Transport Extravaganza
Over the weekend, I returned to the world of car shows, a world I hadn’t visited in ages. My destination was the Illinois Railway Museum’s 33rd Annual Vintage Transport Extravaganza, a showcase of vintage vehicles that’s one of the biggest of its kind in the state.
I decided to bring my 1989 Suzuki Every van. While it was the only Kei car there, the variety of vehicles on display was astounding, from classic cars to buses and semi-tractors. This was a car show that offered something for everyone.
A Change of Pace for the Car Enthusiast
I’m not typically a car show attendee. Car shows in the Midwest generally fall into two categories: the classic car show featuring the usual suspects or the modern car show, where you find the latest supercars. The Vintage Transport Extravaganza offered a completely different experience.
This show had everything, like a Bricklin SV-1, a Mack truck, and a pristine Chevrolet Lumina. The event was held at the Illinois Railway Museum, a location I’ve written about because it’s simply an impressive place.
More Than Just Cars
The Illinois Railway Museum, America’s largest operating train museum, is a sight to behold. With over 500 pieces of rail equipment spread across 100 acres, it offers a glimpse into the history of rail transportation. There are countless running diesel locomotives, two operational steam locomotives, and an impressive collection of electric cars. The museum also boasts five miles of mainline track and an active railroad with the reporting mark IRMX.
It’s worth noting that IRM was established 71 years ago by a group of railfans who were keen to save their favorite interurban, the Indiana Railroad Number 65. The scale of everything IRM does is impressive.
A Unique Car Show Experience
IRM’s 33rd Annual Vintage Transport Extravaganza is known for being one of the largest and most unique car shows in Illinois. As the museum says, there aren’t many car shows where you can admire a Model T-Bucket hot rod and then take a ride behind a classic diesel-electric locomotive.
IRM says the show draws around 500 vehicles of all kinds and is one of the museum’s biggest events. After attending, I can confirm that the museum isn’t exaggerating and may even be understating things.
My Kei Van’s Moment in the Sun
It had been years since I last entered a car in a car show. After some thought, I decided to bring my 1989 Suzuki Every.
I imported this Kei van from Japan in 2021. Its 547cc inline triple engine produces 52 horsepower. I decided to put it to the test, and hit the road to participate in the show.
Driving this little van on American roads is an experience. First gear is low, fifth gear feels more like an overdrive. The intercooled turbo kicks in at around 2,500 RPM, with a glorious green “TURBO” light illuminating the instrument cluster. The engine is right under you, too, so you hear the spooling up and blow-off sounds that are common in tuned cars. If you’re lucky, you will cruise on an open road at 55 mph, with the engine sounding a bit angry at 60 mph.
We arrived at IRM sometime after 10 am and it was an instant success. Most of the cars at the show were American vehicles, and the turnout from the Big Three was large. Although, the import brands with a substantial presence were Volkswagen and Triumph. Despite the variety, my Kei van was the only one of its kind, and the only JDM import. It drew a lot of attention.
Kids found the van cute, and adults were fascinated. Some asked how it got to America, with many making the “other half” joke. I was most impressed by the van’s cooling performance, especially considering the 90-degree weather.
Other Vehicles on Display
Here are some of the eye-catching vehicles from the event:
I wrote about that exact Routemaster a few years ago:
Also, don’t forget that IRM is still a train museum, so if 500 cars, trucks, and buses weren’t enough, you were then able to ride an assortment of electric interurban cars, streetcars, a coach pulled by a steam engine, and a vintage bi-level commuter train!
Final Thoughts
Sheryl and I enjoyed our time at the Vintage Transport Extravaganza and plan to make it an annual tradition. I plan to bring my Plymouth Special Deluxe to next year’s show. If you’re in northern Illinois, you should make time to visit The Illinois Railway Museum. Next weekend is Diesel Days where there will be a stunning display of diesel-electric power you won’t see anywhere else.
