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Most iconic ‘Fast and Furious’ car returning to Volo

Cynthia Wolf Posted on 2018-12-05

 

VOLO — Volo Auto Museum officials have bought and sold hundreds of celebrity and film-famous cars in the decades since the museum’s 1960 founding. 

 

Never, however, have they so regretted a decision to let one go that they were willing to pay more to bring it back than they made on its sale. Until now. And they’re pretty sure Dominic Toretto would approve. As will “Fast and Furious” franchise fans everywhere.

 

In fact, officials here are so excited about the imminent return of the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T from 2001’s “The Fast and The Furious” — the hit Vin Diesel-Paul Walker pairing that launched a fast-car-drenched film franchise dynasty — that they’ve undertaken an extensive remodeling project to house it.

 

“This car is the hero car, one of three Chargers modified for use in the first film, and the only one that wasn’t beat up,” said Brian Grams, director of the museum at 27582 Volo Village Road. “We’ve had close to 100 cars from ‘Fast and Furious’ over the years, including some other Chargers from the later films. None were as iconic as this car. This particular Charger is as much a cornerstone of that franchise as Vin Diesel [aka Toretto] himself.”

 

The car — actually a ’69 that film-makers modified to make look like a ’70, featuring a false Roots type supercharger blower above the hood — is on its way back to Volo all the way from a collector’s man cave in Norway. It will be highlighted in a new display on pace to open Dec. 26. 

 

This will be the car's third return to Volo. Officials here first bought it in 2002, then sold it to a collector in Reno, Nevada, later buying it back from that man and selling it to the Norwegian, who has had it since 2008.

 

Grams learned the Charger was again on the market this fall when a broker called to inquire about the car’s pedigree. “I told him if the deal he was working on fell through, I would buy it back,” Grams said. “I saw it as an opportunity to correct a mistake. This is the ultimate ‘Fast and Furious’ Charger, and it belongs here where fans can enjoy it.” 

 

Renovations are under way to group the museum’s three key “Fast and Furious” cars, including Dom’s Charger, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI that actor Paul Walker used in his final franchise appearance in “Furious 7,” and a 1963 Corvette Grand Sport Roadster featured in “Fast Five.” During construction, half-off admission is available to any visitor who displays at the ticket gate the offer available at volocars.com or on the museum’s Facebook events page. This offer is good through Dec. 23.

 

The Volo Auto Museum features roughly 400 classic, muscle, Hollywood cars and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $9 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and younger. For other information, call 815-385-3644, visit volocars.com or find Volo Auto Museum on Facebook.

 

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Leaving Norway: The Dodge Charger R/T hero car from 2001's "The Fast and The Furious" is loaded onto a trailer after its departure from a Norwegian collector's man cave. The Volo Auto Museum, which sold the car to the collector in 2008, has bought it back for a new triple franchise car display expected to open Dec. 26.