The ranch, created in 1974, features 10 ravaged and graffiti-covered Cadillac cars buried nose down in an Amarillo, Texas wheat field off the Route 66 highway.

The Explore the Highway with Hampton Save-A-Landmark™ program has adopted Route 66 as a national cause, which includes: restoring some of the highway's most impressive and unusual landmarks; donating historic Route 66 signs; and highlighting 66 "Points of Interest" areas on the eight-state route.

As U.S. road trips are expected to increase this summer, Cadillac Ranch is likely to experience a higher number of visitors.

Today, Hampton hotel volunteers will work alongside "Ant Farm" - the collective group of original Cadillac Ranch artists - to re-tire, scrub, prime and re-paint the famous row of classic cars.

It is the first landmark on Route 66 to be refurbished this year as part of the Hampton effort.

"Cadillac Ranch is the hood ornament of Route 66," said Doug Michaels, co-founder, Ant Farm.

"We knew that when it was finished, it would be the image heard around the world."

Hampton volunteers repaint the famed Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
(Photo courtesy of Hampton Hotel)

For 25 years, Cadillac Ranch has entertained gawking motorists traveling Route 66, who wondered how the sculpture was created, as well as provided a de facto canvas for vandals who wanted to leave their mark on the renowned American landmark.

"Having lived in Texas for many years, I have always been intrigued by this unusual landmark in Amarillo, which has captured the imagination of Route 66 travelers from everywhere," said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president, Hampton.

"It's a great privilege for us to be working alongside the Ant Farm artists in restoring these cars to their original colors."

A plaque describing the history of Cadillac Ranch and declaring it one of the favorite stops on Route 66 also was unveiled at the site today.

This new signage placement comes on the heels of the first "Point of Interest" Route 66 sign unveiled by Hampton last week at Lou Mitchell's Restaurant in Chicago, Ill, marking it the historical "first stop" on the Route.

More signs will be unveiled at other Route 66 landmarks this summer.

In addition to the restorations and signage, Hampton has launched a national electronic letter writing campaign to provide the tools necessary to contact local government representatives in an effort to declare Route 66 a national landmark.

For the past three years, Hampton hotels have volunteered labor and nearly one-half million dollars toward refurbishing several historic and unusual tourist landmarks across the country, from the 42-foot-tall statue of Uncle Sam in Ottowa Lake, Mich. to the Bell Markers of the historic California missions.

Hampton began its community-service effort to save landmarks after a survey showed nine out of 10 travelers believe the nation's landmarks and roadside attractions could use a makeover.

Almost 80 percent of those travelers visit a landmark while on vacation.

Cadillac Ranch is the 11th landmark to be restored by the Hampton Save-A-Landmark campaign.