Klairmont Kollections was a well‑known automotive museum housed in Chicago and long regarded as one of the largest auto collections in Illinois. The not‑for‑profit institution aimed to celebrate automotive history and inspire interest in cars among youth and visitors alike. It was started by Larry Klairmont, a decorated World War II veteran and successful businessman who turned his passion for collecting rare and historic vehicles into a museum filled with hundreds of eclectic cars, memorabilia, and exhibits.
For decades, Klairmont Kollections served as a unique destination for car enthusiasts, hosting classic and vintage automobiles spanning the early 1900s onward. However, after Klairmont’s passing and rising costs of maintaining the facility, the museum permanently closed in 2025, and its collection of nearly 300 vehicles and thousands of pieces of automobilia was sold at the “Larry’s Legacy” auction.
Today, automotive fans in the area can also explore the nearby Volo Auto Museum, which continues to display classic, collector, and movie-famous vehicles.
From Classic Cars to Chicago History
The vehicles in the collection span from the early 1900s to modern day models. The collection began as a private collection before Klairmont ultimately decided to open it for public viewing.
The museum has a lovely private event space that can be rented out for any event. If you are a car enthusiast and have ever found yourself dreaming of hosting a corporate event, birthday party, or even a wedding reception surrounded by incredible cars, this is the opportunity for you.
In the museum, there is a separate, more focused exhibit that is open for viewing as well. This exhibit is the Made in Chicago Museum Exhibit. The exhibit is a separate organization that is just hosted within the Klairmont Kollections but is equally fascinating to visitors! The Made in Chicago Museum displays just about any and every historical or vintage item that was made in Chicago. The majority of the collection of objects comes from 1900 to 1970. You can see anything from matches, sewing machines, spices, and even ice skates.
Notable Cars from the Klairmont Kollections Auction
| Vehicle | Type / Category | Description | Status at Auction |
| Golden Sahara II | Futuristic Custom Show Car | 1953 Lincoln Capri with glowing tires and advanced 1950s styling | Sold at Mecum Auction ($1,265,000) |
| 1926 Rickenbacker Eight Super Sport | Antique Classic | Extremely rare pre‑WWII car; one of the last known examples | Sold at Mecum Auction ($440,000) |
| 1937 Rolls‑Royce Phantom III Aero Coupe | Luxury Classic | Pre‑war Rolls‑Royce with elegant coachwork | Sold at Mecum Auction ($352,000) |
| 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz | Classic American | Iconic 1950s luxury convertible | Sold at Mecum Auction ($286,000) |
| 1949 Bentley B Special Speed 8 | Vintage European | Rare Bentley sports‑style model | Sold at Mecum Auction ($280,500) |
| 1969 Joe Bailon Barber Shop Custom | Custom Classic | Eye‑catching custom build by noted builder Joe Bailon | Sold at Mecum Auction ($176,000) |
| 1947 Tatra T87 | Postwar European | Aerodynamic Czech car with rear‑mounted V‑8 | Sold at Mecum Auction ($220,000) |
| 1982 Dodge Turbo Charger (concept) | Concept / Specialty Car | Rare American performance concept with race heritage | Offered at Auction (no reserve) |
| 2002 Lincoln Continental (concept) | Luxury Concept | Unique concept car with V‑12 engine and bespoke features | Offered at Auction (no reserve) |
Continuing the Legacy of Klairmont Kollections
They want to remain a key in culture for car lovers everywhere. They also wish to continue the legacy of their founder, Larry Klairmont, and his passion for cars and car collecting.
The core values of the museum further show how enthusiastic they are about car collecting. They write that they are committed to upholding professional standards when maintaining the museum and automobiles in their collection. They remain committed to furthering the education for the youth in the area about automobiles.
If you are in the Chicago area, we highly recommend visiting the Kollection. It is an incredible sight to see.