It had been roughly 15 years or so since I’d gone to the Detroit Autorama—I recall the Ridler winner being a ’90s Mercedes Pro Mod, if that tells you anything. For many reasons, it was about time I ended that absentee streak, and this was the year for my return to Cobo Hall.
Things sure have changed over the years, and I’m not just talking about the Autorama, either. No more walking across Jefferson Avenue from the Pontchartrain—it was all about the People Mover and 50-cent tokens and hoards of heavily inked people running amok in the Renaissance Center. (I was probably the only tattooed hotel guest who wasn’t there for the tattoo convention!) But as for the show, it was pretty much as I’d remembered … well, at least the ground floor at Cobo Hall was.
Vintage race cars—from early...
Vintage race cars—from early roundy-rounds to front-engined Altered Coupes—were also part of the basement display … and rightfully so.
For the last few years, Detroit has opened its basement doors (where I believe they first tested the waters with the inclusion of import/tuner cars) for the kind of hot rods and customs we can all relate to: real-world cars, not zillion-dollar show cars. Dubbed the Autorama Extreme, the downstairs exhibit had no Ridler buzz, no elaborate vehicle displays, it was just a good old-fashioned car show with a bunch of good old-fashioned hot rods and customs.
But don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of reasons to spend time upstairs as well. While the Ridler contention was nowhere near the caliber of recent years, quite a few entries on display were deserving of more than just an honorable mention, as you’re about to see.
Seeing as next year is Detroit’s big 60th, which ought to attract more heavy hitters fishing for the Ridler with some real high-dollar bait, I don’t foresee another streak of mine starting anytime too soon. I’m not a huge fan of the cold weather, but I do like Detroit and the people there are great. The only downside—fighting the temptation to get another tattoo!
One of the first cars that...
One of the first cars that caught my attention downstairs at the Detroit Autorama was Bob Adams’ ’32 roadster.
I was in awe of what an amazing...
I was in awe of what an amazing barn find it was … or was it?
It was a little heavy on the...
It was a little heavy on the antiquities, but they all seemed to fit the period … or did they?
It wasn’t long before the...
It wasn’t long before the truth surfaced through the rust—Bob Adams’ roadster was not only a fresh build, it’s fiberglass bodied too (all of which he readily admits). A knuckle tap on the quarter-panel told the tale, but so too did a couple parts that needn’t be touched in the first place, such as the front axle and steering arm.
Still, never had I seen such...
Still, never had I seen such a great disguise, especially with the rusty areas, some of which are really ’glass.
Rob Paul’s Model A was no...
Rob Paul’s Model A was no hoax—it’s a pure Hemi-powered hot rod. The black-on-black ’30 coupe has a nice profile with its hammered top and a perfect stance atop a Deuce chassis.
Don’t call it a rat rod! Really,...
Don’t call it a rat rod! Really, don’t—that’s according to the owner’s display board, and for good reason, too. Mark Rickett’s ’33 five-window is a pure, pedigreed hot rod, having been raced in California during the ’50s and ’60s, after which it was put away in storage until Bill McGrath (Early Ford Store) rescued it. Rickett successfully persuaded a purchase and the coupe now resides—and drives—in Michigan.
So too were mild ’60s customs,...
So too were mild ’60s customs, though not as prevalent as the early style hot rods.
Nevertheless that just made...
Nevertheless that just made these two hardtops stand out even more.
Upstairs Bobby Alloway was...
Upstairs Bobby Alloway was the Autorama’s 2011 Builder of the Year—and what an impressive collective of “builds” he had on display. Whether they were built last summer or last decade, there’s a certain Alloway touch that distinguish his cars from any other.
Lest we forget the Don Ridler...
Lest we forget the Don Ridler Memorial Award? No sir, especially not considering the Bruce Ricks–built ’56 Ford Sunliner “Suncammer” being the rightful recipient after all the ballots had been tallied. Congrats!
It was great seeing the Remington...
It was great seeing the Remington and Carrillo racers on display together in the same building.
It’s likely that not too many...
It’s likely that not too many of the spectators realized the importance of these cars, regardless of whether they’re recreations or restorations—without them, there probably wouldn’t be an Autorama to begin with!
Michael Tarquinio’s “Second...
Michael Tarquinio’s “Second Wind” is his interpretation of a ’32 Zephyr, had there ever been one as such. In short, he integrated as much actual Lincoln components to a ’32 Ford as possible—from the taillights to the dash and steering wheel. The engine, however, is an Olds J2—a rather rare aluminum head model at that—which has been disguised with Lincoln tin.
What is it, you ask? Good...
What is it, you ask? Good question—but don’t expect a real logical answer from owner/builder Steve Grimes. If you’re familiar with Steve’s past creations (O’Bannon Roadster Company), then you already know there’s no particular rhyme or reason, as he tends to deviate way off course from the hot rod norm, with each effort resulting in a one-of-a-kind roadster. This time around, he did his thing with a ’27 T—his thing being front-wheel drive (via flipped quick-change), rear steer (via VW rack-and-pinion), and a rear-mounted ’48 Buick straight-eight. Those wheels dwarfing the shrunken roadster are Chevrolet circa 1927.
Ever wonder what automotive...
Ever wonder what automotive artists do in their spare time? Jeff Allison appears to be an expert undercarriage cleaner, as seen here spit-polishing all the shiny stuff on Russ Freund’s “Takeout T”. They don’t call them starving artists for nothing!
And speaking of important...
And speaking of important history, here’s a great throwback for you: the Oliver Hines–built ’33 Ford now owned by Barry Ewing.
Among its distinctive eastern-flavored...
Among its distinctive eastern-flavored touches is the sweetheart Brewster grille, a definite unique feature given the rarity (and value) of the vehicle that bore the grille in the first place.