Volo Museum's 'Ford v Ferrari' exhibit opens Fourth of July weekend
If you know the history of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles helping Ford dominate the 24-hour Le Mans race in the '60s, or if you're just a huge fan of the movie starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, Volo Museum's new "Ford v Ferrari" exhibit will get your heart racing.
The exhibit opens to the public this Fourth of July weekend. It features four of the screen-used "hero cars" from the movie. "Hero cars" is the term used for the featured vehicles in the film that leading actors shot scenes in, and/or cars that were used in the movie's advertisements and promotional posters and products.
Visitors can see this new, multimillion dollar exhibit at no additional cost; it is included in the regular Volo Museum admission. The exhibit room has a racing-pit ambience filled with hand-painted artistic scenery, a dozen TV screens and still images of the historic race, as well as photos taken during film production.
"The goal of the exhibit was not just showcasing the cars, but immersing our guests in the 24-hour Le Mans and Daytona racing experience," said Brian Grams, director of the museum, 27582 Volo Village Road in Volo.
"We want you to hear the sounds of the cars and feel the excitement that the drivers and fans felt."
The four cars featured will be the baby blue colored No. 1 1966 Ford GT 40 Mark II that Christian Bale drove to win the Le Mans race; the fire red No. 21 1966 Ferrari 330 P3; the green 1966 Ford GT 40 used in the Daytona race scenes; and the 1966 Ford Country Squire wagon that the Miles family drove in the movie.
"We will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekend and through the Fourth of July," Grams said. "That leaves plenty of time to see all of our other new additions and exhibits, including a brand-new vintage ice cream parlor, updated Showtime Pizzeria, Jurassic Gardens and the chance to ride our fully restored 1928 carousel."
"We're famous for our cars," said Jim Wojdyla, marketing director. "But it's so fun to see the looks on people's faces when they get here and see how much has been changed, added and expanded."
From hundreds of modern muscle, classic collector and iconic Hollywood cars to a military museum and Disney displays, Volo Museum features something for everyone.
Volo Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For other details, visit volofun.com, find Volo Museum on social media, or call (815) 385-3644.
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