After a very fun 2023 we’re looking forward to an even better 2024! Right now the Hoosiers team bus and/or Gene Hackman’s ’51 Chevy will be involved with regular events at the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, the NBA All Star game Crossover activities, the Indy 500 parade, the State Fair, and a wide variety of parades, festivals and car shows around the state.
Please contact: Darryll Baker at hickorybus.com to schedule an appearance at your event.
Gene Hackman’s ’51 Chevy and the movie “Hoosiers” team bus were both featured at the Indiana State Fair from 28 July through 20 August 2023.
The ’51 Chevy was sponsored by the Indiana Pacers in the Harvest Pavilion and the bus was featured in the Pioneer Village and took part in the daily fair parade.”
Gene Hackman's '51 Chevy and the Hoosiers Team Bus participated in the 2023 Indy 500 Parade
A very animated crowd estimated at 200,000 people watched the parade and it will definitely be a highlight of the year!"
2024 Events
Regular events at the Hoosier Gym (All year) February
NBA All-Star Game; Bus will be exhibited at the Crossover Experience at the Indianapolis Convention Center February 15-18
Horizon League Championship, Indiana State Fair Coliseum March 12
Hoosiers Movie Showing, Game Day Communications, Cincinnati March 20
Milan 70 Anniversary Event March 23
NIT Men's Final, Hinkle Fieldhouse April 4th
Eclipse Activities, Hoosier Gym April 5th, 6th
Indiana High School All-Star game, Hoosier Gym (boys and girls) April 27
Hickory Classic Car Show: Knightstown, Indiana May 18
New Castle Memorial Day Parade May 27th
Laporte 4th of July Parade (Proposed) July 4th
Indiana State Fair (proposed) August 2nd-18th
Fairmount, Indiana; James Dean festival (proposed) September 28
Riley Parade, Greenfield, IN October 5
Brandywine Cruisers Car Show, Greenfield, IN October 6th
Lake Summit Touch a Truck October 12th
If you'd like to donate to help preserve the Hickory Team Bus (now a registered 501c3) you can easily by scanning the QR code below.
The Hickory Bus and the Gene Hackman Car will be a regular display at Hoosier Gym Events.
To know if the Bus and the Car will be at the Gym on the day you are visiting check the Gym's social media. Instagram: @hoosiergym Twitter: @thehoosiergym Facebook: facebook.com/thehoosiergym
"After nearly a quarter century I'm thrilled that the Hickory Team Bus is coming back to Indiana. It has been an amazing journey, and labor of love, since we began restoring it in 1996. I'm looking forward to partnering with the Hoosier Gym to support Indiana basketball at all levels, Hoosier sports across the board, and a variety of charity events and festivals around the state. I hope everyone has a chance to see the bus, and enjoy the family and movie stories of this most recent addition to the rich history of Indiana basketball." - Darryll Baker, Owner of the Hickory Husker Bus
Hickory Husker Bus
Famous for appearing in the movie, Hoosiers, this bus has been beloved by many. It returned home to Knightstown recently and is owned by Darryll and Kathy Baker of Greenfield Indiana. The bus has participated in many different events from parades for the Indy 500 to the Pacers and now it will be part of the Hoosier Gym events in the future.
Gene Hackman Car
The 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe two-door car was used by the academy-award winning actor Gene Hackman in the movie Hoosiers. It can be seen in the four-minute opening credits of the movie: youtu.be/r74qegjbF28
It has returned home to Indiana and is owned by Bob and Jan Brown of Seal Beach California and Greenfield Indiana. The car is often parked at the gym on special event days or it may randomly show up on a sunny Indiana day.