Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum was a hidden gem located in a quiet North Side neighborhood near Belmont and Cicero in Chicago, IL. Da Count and I were very surprised when we discovered this amazing bastion of pop culture history as it was basically next door to where my late Mama (bless her soul) and brother once lived. Sadly, we had to say goodbye as Klairmont Kollections will be closing its doors after this weekend as all their pieces will be auctioned off by Mecum Auctions at the event Larry’s Legacy 2025.
This legacy began with Larry Klairmont, a successful businessman who built his fortune in dry cleaning and real estate. He developed a passion for cars in his youth. and began collecting them later in life starting in 1967 when Larry bought his first keepsake car, a silver and black 1951 Rolls-Royce. He would soon amass nearly 600 vehicles, along with automotive memorabilia, stored across various properties. Eventually he would meet Joyce Oberlander and the Klairmont Kollections museum was born. With nearly 300 vehicles, it was originally a private collection until about 2019 when the museum opened to the public.
Larry Klairmont passed away in 2021 but his legacy lived on with the Museum, giving folks a chance to immerse themselves in automotive history with fun displays and the ability to look up close at these magical vehicles and other souvenirs of yesteryear. Was the auctions happening this Saturday and Sunday hopefully his legacy will live on with future owners.
Count Gregula made an appearance this past Saturday to visit and appreciate this fine “kollection of kars” along with our photographer Robert Dicke and the Countess in mortal disguise – that’s me haha.
Thank you Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum and Mecum Auctions for having us. We will miss this great museum and hope to maybe see some of these cars in other collections some day.
Mecum Auctions
Larry’s Legacy 2025
Location:
Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum
3117 N Knox Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
Dates:
September 19–21, 2025
For more info about Larry’s Legacy 2025, go HERE.
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