The Micro/Mini Car World Meet 2010 Chicago IL Logo

want more Microcar goodness?
Join The Vintage Microcar Club!

Join Now!

Advance Articles of the Event:
Daily Herald
McHenry County Living
NBC12.com
Earth Times

Post Show Articles of the Event:
First Electric Newspaper
2-Stroke Buzz
DudeIGotThis
Smart USA Insider
McHenry County Blog
McHenry County Vintage Car Gazette
BMW2002FAQ forum
NY TIMES
Chicago Tribune

Photo Collections of the Event:
Vintage Microcar Club
Lena & Arnie Press' Flickr set
ER_Darak's Flickr set
MCVC Gazette
BessieTheMini
Chicago Tribune

Videos of the Event:
KruzinUSA YouTube (slide show)
AP video of Microcars on Route66

Audio Podcasts of the Event:
Paul Brian You really ought to listen to the whole thing. 
If you are pressed for time, the microcar part starts about 16:16 or so and runs through about 23:20. This is an MP3 file.

Judged Awards

AWARD

Car #

Owner

City/State

Car

Best of Show

145

Larry + Anita Garber

Mentor, OH

1938 Bantam Roadster

2nd Place Overall Show

72

Brad Swiggart

Lincoln, NE

1966 Wolseley Hornet “Heinz 57”

Most Unique Microcar

207

Craig Heavenridge

Hartford City, IN

1982 Bearcub Commutor

Most Unique Minicar

5

Kenny Robins

Cary, IL

1951 Crosley Good Humor Truck

Most Original

51

Bob Poprawski

Prospect Heights, IL

1968 Velorex

Furthest Travelled

105

Uwe Staufenberg + The Route 66 Gang

Berlin, Germany

1962 Goggomobil Transporter Pickup

Furthest Driven Direct Route

30 + 31

Michael Harrell + Bruce Harrell

Shoreline, WA (2090 miles)

1980 KV Mini

1982 MG Metro

Hard Luck Award

N/A

Ian Hellings

Momence, IL

Truckload of Invalid cars damaged on route to the World Meet

Best Engine

2

David Brower

Wake Forest, NC

1968 Isetta

Best Paint Job

40

Mac Jones

Somerville, TN

1955 Messerschmitt

People’s Choice: Participants

AWARD

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Class A

Up to 300cc

#40 – 1955 Messerschmitt

Mac Jones – Somerville, TN

#140 – 1953 Rolux VB-61

Peter Svilans – Thornhill, Ontario, CA

#28 – 965 Scootacar MK II

Kerry + Linda Erendson – Port St. Lucie, FL

Class B

301-600cc

#154 – 1958 Lloyd LS Alexander

Michael Gondek – Minneapolis, MN

#113 – 1959 NSU Prinz II

Kent Gatzemeyer – Sioux City, IA

#41 – 1957 Fiat Topolino

Jack + Jean Nikolich – Wheeling, IL

Class C

601-1000cc

#10 – 1952 Crosley Fire Truck

Janyne Smith – Poland OH

#5 – 1951 Crosley Good Humor Truck

Kenny Robins – Cary, IL

#158 – 1967 Citroen 2CV

Fred Zampa – Macon, GA

Class D

1001-1277cc

#181 – 1978 Mini 2 door

Marco Scida – Kleinburg, Ontario, CA

#47 – 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S

Norm Miller – Saint Charles, IL

#161 – 1954 MG TF

Herman Buttron – Elmhurst, IL

Class E

1275-1600cc

#98 – 1974 Lotus Europa

Jim Cowen – Buffalo Grove, IL

#180 – 1952 Volkswagen Beetle

Darby Milnor – Lake In The Hills, IL

#171 – 1965 Amphicar

Ned Zeman – Crystal Lake, IL

People’s Choice: Spectators

AWARD

Car #

Owner

City/State

Car

Best Microcar

71

Marty + Sue Brackin

Rochelle, IL

1958 Isetta

Best Microcar

104

Steve Lenoch

Coralville, IA

1956 Messerschmitt

Kids’ Choice

9

Leo Doyle

Indianapolis, IN

2000 Corbin Sparrow Electric

Best Minicar

5

Kenny Robins

Cary, IL

1951 Crosley Good Humor Truck

Best Minicar

#205

Giovanni D’Avola

Chicago, IL

1959 Fiat Multipla

The first WORLD event of its kind,
bringing the BIG world of MICRO cars to Chicago...

CRYSTAL LAKE IL, June 22, 2008 -
Local microcar collectors and owner/curators of the Small Wonders Micro Car Museum, Ken & Sylvia Weger, announced today that they, along with three other couples, will be hosting the MICRO/MINI CAR WORLD MEET in downtown Crystal Lake at the University Center, located at 100 S. Main Street, on August 21-22, 2010. This is the same group that successfully organized the National Micro/Mini Car meet in 2006, drawing 300 cars and thousands of spectators, making it the biggest National Mini/Micro car event to date.

This will be the first ever WORLD MEET of its kind. Microcar and Minicar owners and their cars, will gather from all over the world to share their enthusiasm for these small wonders. The Weger's are expecting over 500 Micro and Mini cars. Those cars under 500cc are considered to be "Microcars", and those between 500-1500cc are considered "Minicars". Many marques are expected to fill the lush lawns surrounding the University Center. Vendors will provide food and beverages. Alongside the car show, workshops and classes/seminars are being planned.

These tiny cars, known as “Bubble Cars”, evolved after WWII as European industries were starting back to work and began producing cars for the masses. They were underpowered and lightweight, sipping fuel to get over 70 miles per gallon. These microcars were capable of transporting families in relative comfort!

Some of the more commonly known marques include:

  • Austin Mini (UK)
  • Citroën 2CV (France)- the Ugly Ducking
  • Crosley (USA)- ahead of its time in fuel economy
  • Fiat 500 (Italy)- Cinquecento many still in use today, 60 years after production began
  • Isetta (Italy & Germany)- one front mounted door that had room for two people
  • Messerschmitt (Germany)- tandem seating and airplane-type opening canopy for entry
  • Subaru 360 (Japan)- yes, the baby of the Subaru family
  • Velorex (Czech)- lightweight steel tube frame covered with vinyl fabric

These microcars and many more will be on display at the Meet.
Saturday Awards Banquet will be a locally prepared food.
There is abundant parking for trailers and cars. Many local hotels have attractive rates to accommodate overnight guests. There are 13 restaurants within walking distance from the University Center.

More Information:
News Media Contact: Arnie Press (847) 362-3555 arniesk8r@aol.com

Advance Registration is Now CLOSED!
you must now Register ON SITE when you arrive.

There is no charge for Spectator Admission