Volo Auto Museum to sell Bentley owned by Jordan
A luxurious 2005 Bentley once owned by the most famous basketball player of all time - and a popular attraction at the Volo Auto Museum for years - is among several celebrity-owned vehicles the museum is selling to make way for new exhibits.
Brian Grams, director of the museum at 27582 Volo Village Road, said Michael Jordan so admired the car he had the 2006 Nike "Air" Jordans designed with the car's sleek styling and nimble maneuverability in mind.
"Nothing beats the luxury styling and sports handling of a Bentley, unless that Bentley was the personal driver of Michael Jordan," Grams said.
Now celebrating its 60th year, the Volo Auto Museum is known for its collection of vintage, classic and muscle cars, as well as its showrooms gleaming with cars of the rich and famous.
Jordan's forest green Bentley Continental GT has been a chief draw since the museum bought it from Jordan in 2011.
"Michael Jordan personalized the car with tinted glass to avoid gawkers, a $9,000 set of Lowenhart wheels and a talking radar system with front and rear sensors," Grams said.
"This car has everything, from a twin turbo W-12, 552-horsepower engine to a leather and wood trim interior, 14-way power seats and a four-wheel independent suspension."
But more than that, it has the added value of documentation proving it was Jordan's. In fact, the car remains titled in the name of the man many acknowledge as the greatest athlete of all time, and will be sold complete with compact discs and a factory phone the star left in the car.
With millions of fans reliving the Chicago Bulls dynasty years of the 1990s as they watch "The Last Dance" docuseries on ESPN, Jordan's star power is as dazzling as ever.
"For the right buyer, this car is a chance to own both automotive and athletic history," Grams said. "And through its sale, we can continue the constant evolution of our collection that is the hallmark of our attraction."
To that end, also listed this week for sale were museum star cars formerly owned by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys (a red 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 that was gifted to the singer by Corvette); Andy Granatelli of the Automotive Hall of Fame and former STP CEO (a blue Duesenberg II Murphy Body Roadster); and Rod Stewart (a yellow 2002 Dodge Viper once stolen for a joy ride by the singer's gardener).
Serious inquiries are welcome at (815) 385-3644.
The Volo Auto Museum features hundreds of vintage, classic and film-famous cars, as well as music machines, animatronic displays and more. For other information, call the museum, visit volocars.com or find Volo Auto Museum on Facebook.