The Cars, Trucks And Crazy Postal Van at the 2020 Race & Performance Expo

For over a decade, every winter speed enthusiasts have descended upon Chicagoland, converging at the Race and Performance Expo. It’s all in the name of one thing: learning the latest in making their rides faster. Whether it’s in a straight line or around an oval, on pavement or dirt, it’s all here and ready for action.

The event, held in Schaumburg, Illinois, at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, marked its twelveth year. As is the norm, it boasted a full weekend lineup of parts, products and performance-oriented gear that would satisfy any diehard gearhead.

Besides all the newest innovation on display and the instructional seminars, there’s a healthy showing of vehicles of all shapes and sizes on display. Here are a few of my favorite.

The Racers

The 1969 Dodge Daytona was designed for increased aero but instead of going around ovals, this enthusiast put it to use going in a straight line. It was an incredible build and a totally unique machine.

D & M Corvettes, in Downers Grove, Illinois, showed off this ultra-cool Corvette gasser. Straight axle up front? Check. Big blower? Check? Loads of fun? Check and check.

This 1979 Dodge Omni takes part in the Illinois Police Racing Association It’s used to help connect with kids in local communities. It sports a 482ci V8, runs on alcohol and has racked up awards at the Funny Car Nationals.

This Fox-body Mustang looked ready to be ridden hard, sporting a massive induction system, roll cage and a whole slew of speed equipment inside.

This Super Sport Nova lives up to its name, being *super* clean and definitely ready for any kind of ‘sport’ activities.

By the owner’s admission, this Mustang is no pretty or precious pony. What it lacks in appearance, it makes up in performance, judging by the big engine nestled under the hood.

The Tried And True

Heaton Hot Rods, in Joliet, Illinois, brought out a brace of bad to the bone Bow Ties. The radical 1952 Chevy has been decked, chopped and nosed, and sports loads of custom louvers on the hood. Power comes from a tried and true 350ci V8 while an air ride suspension gets it down low. The hue is Grenade Green, a late- model Chevrolet truck color.

Parked next to it, the 1970 Chevelle is a recent restoration, finished just sixty days before the show. It has 427ci V8 power, Wilwood disc brakes, Dakota digital gauges, and Heidts suspension components.

Another muscle machine in the D & Corvette booth was this beautiful 1969 Chevy Camaro SS.

Keeping with the Camaro theme, this other 1969 example sported striking yellow paint, big wheels, and tires and a badge that claims 572 cubic inches of power.

The Hot Haulers

Trucks were the talk of the town, too, with several being found on the show floor. Slammed low, jacked high or simply built for straight-line speed, all kinds of hauling gems were waiting to be uncovered.

This silver Chevy S-10 looked ready to rip. No word on what lies under that massive cowl-induction hood but it looked serious.

Heidts Automotive, of nearby Crystal Lake, Illinois, used this classy two-tone Chevy C-10 to show off a new suspension kit.

This sinister all black Ford F-150 Lightning looked ready to strike, sporting a host of upgrades.

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D & M Corvette also showed off this super clean half-car half-truck, all cool 1970 El Camino SS.

The Weird And The Wonderful

Besides what you’d usually expect to see at any kind of automotive event, there’s always bound to be out of the ordinary finds. Sure enough, marvelous machines were sprinkled throughout the aisles that defied logic but clearly were built with tons of passion, pride, and power.