A Quick Run-Down of the 2022 Grand National in Chicago

[Jason Edge]

Here is an abbreviated run down of this past weeks CLC Grand National in Chicago.  Much more will be posted online and in our upcoming Newsletter.

So....

Our first Grand National in three years was fantastic other than some rain on Saturday.

I estimate 140 to 150 cars on the show field. I believe there were 6 1964's... No 1963's!  You will see them all in more detaillater in the newsletter.

- Many pictures were posted to our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/6364cadillac and to my own Facebook Page (www.jasonedge.com) 

- I am about 660 miles from the host hotel here in NC and drove my 2002 Escalade EXT  'Brutus' to have it judged in primary ... and to take me and Cheryl and all of our stuff! We had a major storm the day before leaving  and lost power at the house for 16 hr up until 2 hrs before we left for Chicago. That was interesting packing with LED headlamps! Other than that it was smooth sailing in 'Brutus' to Charleston WV then to Chicago.  

- Below is the first picture I took after arriving Sunday, June 19.

- Monday, we settled in and I recleaned Brutus a bit.  We also checked out the area including the fully operational old school mall with food court across the way. They even have a JC Penny and a pet store! I thought I  had went back in time! 

- We went on the driving Tour Tuesday to the Old Joilet Prison (built in 1858 and used in Blues Brothers Movie and drove down Route 66 to Pontiac, IL was fantastic. This was my first official driving tour and LOVED IT!

Cadillacs at Old Joilet Prison

Me and Cheryl with the Gemini Giant at one of the many stops on Route 60 to Pontiac

- Wednesday evening we had the Welcome Reception and Museum Auction ... it was fantastic. I ended up with a bottle of Cadillac Extreme cologne a paid a mere $125 for... yeah, I know crazy, but went for a good cause!

- The Thursday board meeting was productive. It was brought up and I made motion and they adopted plan to drop online only membership fees from $35 to $25 (so many of  you non-CLC members have no reason to join!) 

- Also at the board meeting, I was approved to serve as Executive Vice President of the Club for the next 2 years. Ronnie Hux will be our new President.

- The Architectural Boat Tour down town Chicago Friday was the perfect way to see the skyscrapers and learn about and see it's history.

Friday, Morning I really gave Brutus a good cleaning and even went to the local AutoZone at 8am to replace a daylight driving lamp.

Brutus all cleaned up and ready for judging!

- The Friday Chapter Meet-Up was a huge success. We had probably about 30 people in hand during the evening, which included President Glenn Brown and many others. We even had a small raffle for some "unique" items.   I tried to figure out to do a zoom meeting and there is really no way it would have worked. When you get a large crowd like this it gets loud and chaotic.  I will schedule another Zoom meet-up for Chapter members in the near future!

- Saturday, we had the car show, with rain coming in around 9:30 to 10am and ending about 2pm. Judging was completed, with some judging before the rain, during intermittent periods of less rain, then after 2pm. 

My Escalade getting judged!

- The banquet was well attended with Chapter and Carolina Region Members at our table.

Bob Schles won a 1st Place with his 1947 Cadillac, and Carolina Region President Travis Dowell received the Newsletter Excellence Awards.- My 2002 Escalade EXT 'Brutus' won 1st Place Primary.  I got dinged for some aftermarket stuff I had installed at the Cadillac Dealership I bought it from, but as I tell people they also judge on Operation, Condition, and Workmanship. Everything works on that car, most of it is in very nice condition and only a few non-authentic issues that need addressing.

Bob and Sarah Schles with 1st Place Touring for 1947 Cadillac

Travis Dowell with Newsletter Excellence Award

Me with 1st Place Primary for 2002 Escalade EXT

Just to note my 2002 EXT is the 1st year EXT and the first year it was eligible to be judged in the harder Primary Category (has to be 20 years old vs 10 years old for touring) so I was chuffed to win anything, much less a 1st place!

And here are a couple pictures of the Westin host hotel that I snapped. There will be much more in the next Newsletter.  Just to note that while it is an incredible experience to see all of these Cadillacs and LaSalles in person, it is the fun times we have checking out the local scene with other members that makes these Grand Nationals Really Fun!

Here are a couple of picture of our Suite.. Yes. we were ready for Cadillac Business!

[Jason Edge]

All of the pictures I had posted in this GN review thread had disappeared because I had pulled them in from Facebook addresses, and FB expires their pictures and rotates the URL's meaning they disappeared. I have edited the post pulling the pics in directly from my PC, and added a few more shots of the boat tour, the Chapter Meet-Up and our room. You will see more in the upcoming newsletter.