Walk into an unmarked brick building in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood and you might think you’ve stumbled into a boring warehouse. You haven’t. You’ve actually just found the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, a place that feels less like a sterile gallery and more like the world’s most expensive, eclectic, and crowded toy box. It’s huge. Honestly, the sheer scale of the place—100,000 square feet—doesn’t really hit you until you’re standing in the middle of 300-plus cars, wondering how one person managed to collect all of this without losing their mind.
Larry Klairmont did it, though.
He was a WWII veteran and a real estate mogul who didn’t just want "shiny things." He wanted history. He wanted the weird stuff. Most museums have a theme, right? They focus on Italian supercars or pre-war classics. Not here. At Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, a 1930s Duesenberg might be sitting a stone's throw away from a custom-built "Batmobile" or a neon-soaked 1950s trailer. It’s chaotic in the best way possible.
The Man Behind the Metal
Larry Klairmont passed away in 2021 at the age of 94, but his personality is baked into every corner of this floor. He started as a guy who just liked cars, but after he retired from his massive real estate career, the hobby basically turned into a full-blown obsession. He didn't just buy cars; he bought memories.
You’ll see it in the way the museum is laid out. It’s not chronological. It’s organized by vibes.
There are sections that look like a 1950s diner and others that feel like a high-end art gallery. It’s a massive departure from the Petersen in LA or the Revs Institute in Florida. Those places feel like "Museums" with a capital M. Klairmont feels like a private collection that you’ve been invited to see by a very wealthy, very eccentric uncle.
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What You’re Actually Seeing in Hermosa
People ask if it’s worth the trek away from the Magnificent Mile. Yeah, it is.
The collection spans over a century of automotive design. We’re talking about 1900s brass-era beauties all the way up to modern exotics. But the real meat of the museum is the stuff from the 1930s through the 1950s. This was the era of excess. Chrome. Fins. Colors that don't even exist in the modern car palette—seafoam greens and dusty roses that make a modern gray SUV look like a rolling cinder block.
The Highlights Nobody Expects
- The 1930s Duesenbergs: These were the "supercars" of the Great Depression. If you owned one, you weren't just rich; you were "ignore the stock market crash" rich. They are massive, imposing, and surprisingly advanced for their time.
- The Microcar Corner: This is where the museum gets weird. While most collectors go for big and loud, Larry loved the tiny and strange. There are BMW Isettas—the ones where the whole front of the car opens up as a door—and Messerschmitts that look like fighter jet cockpits on three wheels.
- Customs and Movie Cars: You’ll find the 1966 Batmobile (a recreation, but a damn good one) and various "Rat Rods" that look like they were pulled out of a post-apocalyptic desert.
There’s also a massive amount of "Automobiliana." That’s a fancy word for car-related junk that collectors pay thousands for. Think vintage neon signs, old gas pumps, and pedal cars. The walls are covered. The ceilings are covered. If there’s an empty square inch, they probably put a vintage Coca-Cola sign on it.
Is It Just for Car Nerds?
Kinda, but not really.
My sister knows nothing about cars—she thinks a carburetor is a type of pasta—and she loved it. Why? Because the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum is a time capsule of American culture. It shows how we moved from horse-drawn carriages to the jet-age optimism of the 1950s. It’s about design and art as much as it is about engines.
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The lighting is moody. The music playing in the background is usually something from the Rat Pack era. It’s immersive. You aren't just looking at a 1957 Chevy; you’re looking at what the American Dream was supposed to look like when everyone thought we’d have flying cars by 1980.
The Reality of Running a Massive Private Museum
It’s expensive. Keeping 300+ cars in running condition (or at least "museum clean" condition) is a nightmare. The tires rot. The seals leak. The batteries die if you look at them wrong.
After Larry Klairmont died, there was some worry about what would happen to the collection. Thankfully, it’s being run as a 501(c)(3) non-profit now. They host events there—weddings, corporate parties, you name it. Imagine getting married next to a gold-plated DeLorean. That’s the kind of energy this place has.
One thing to keep in mind: it’s not always open every single day like the Art Institute. You’ve got to check their schedule. Usually, they’re open Wednesday through Sunday, but they close for private events quite a bit.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
Don't just walk through and snap photos of the flashy cars. Read the placards. Some of these cars have insane backstories—owned by celebrities, used in specific historical events, or they're the only surviving model of a brand that went bankrupt in 1912.
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- Give yourself at least two hours. Three is better. If you try to do it in an hour, you're going to miss the small details, like the vintage lunchboxes or the bizarre hood ornaments that look like tiny sculptures.
- Talk to the docents. The people working there are usually retired mechanics or massive car buffs. They know things that aren't on the signs. Ask them which car is the hardest to start. Ask them which one Larry loved the most (it changed often, but he had his favorites).
- Bring a good camera. The lighting is tricky because of all the neon, but it makes for incredible photos if you know how to handle low light.
Why This Place Still Matters
In a world where cars are becoming increasingly homogenized—basically just computers on wheels—the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum reminds us that cars used to be an expression of personality. They used to be weird. They used to be impractical.
There’s a car there called the "Golden Sahara II." It has glass tires that light up from the inside. It has a cocktail bar in the back. Is it practical? No. Is it safe? Probably not. But it’s a testament to human imagination.
Chicago has a lot of world-class museums, but most of them feel very curated and "safe." This place feels raw. It’s the result of one man’s singular vision and his refusal to throw anything away. It’s a temple to the internal combustion engine and the 20th-century aesthetic.
If you find yourself on the Northwest Side, skip the tourist traps for a afternoon. Head to 3111 N. Knox Ave. It’s a nondescript building that contains more history and horsepower than almost anywhere else in the Midwest.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Check the Calendar: Always verify opening hours on the official website before going; they frequently close for private galas and film shoots.
- Parking is Easy: Unlike downtown museums, there is actually a dedicated parking lot, which is a rare luxury in Chicago.
- Event Space: If you are planning a large-scale event, this is one of the most unique venues in the city, but book at least six months out.
- Support the Non-Profit: Consider purchasing a membership or merchandise; the cost of maintaining vintage seals and specialized fluids for 300 vehicles is astronomical, and every bit helps keep the collection together.