Iconic ‘Fast and Furious’ Car Returns To Volo Auto Museum

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 & Furious” franchise fans everywhere.

In fact, Volo Auto Museum officials are so excited about the imminent return of the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T from 2001’s "The Fast and The Furious" they undertook 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 back at Volo all the way from a collector’s man cave in Norway. It is now being highlighted in a new display that opened this past week.

This is the car's third return to Volo. Officials 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, according to auto museum officials.

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.”

As part of the display, renovations were completed on 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.”

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.

The Volo Auto Museum tag remains attached to the Dodge Charger R/T that is en route back to the Volo Auto Museum after spending the last 10 years in a Norwegian collector's man cave. The car is one of three that was modified for use in "The Fast and the Furious," the 2001 Vin Diesel-Paul Walker pairing that launched the hugely popular film franchise/Photo via Volo Auto Museum