World of Wheels Car Show Hits Rosemont
The annual World of Wheels custom car show drew large crowds to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont today. The event featured a wide array of customized vehicles, from classic restorations to modern designs, alongside automotive displays and vendor booths.
The Chicago World of Wheels has a long history in the area, with the first show taking place at Navy Pier in 1962. After stints at McCormick Place and the Amphitheatre, the event moved to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont in 2010, where it has been held annually ever since. The event is a major draw, with past attendance figures for the Chicago show reaching over 90,000 people. In recent years, the show has featured over 1,000 custom cars and motorcycles, filling the convention center's exhibition halls. Competition is a central feature of the show, which is sanctioned by the International Show Car Association (ISCA). The most prestigious local prize is the Legend Cup, which comes with a $10,000 check and is awarded to one of the top vehicles. To win the Legend Cup, a vehicle must first be chosen for the "Top Twenty" and then advance to the "Select Six" finalists. The final winner is selected based on criteria that include style, workmanship, degree of difficulty, and overall presentation. The host venue itself, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, is a significant economic engine for the Village of Rosemont. The center hosts over 100 events and welcomes more than a million guests annually, supporting numerous local hotels and restaurants.
