Autorama is a large showcase of custom-built cars held each year at
Cobo HallCobo Center, originally known as Cobo Hall, is a major convention center situated along Jefferson Ave. in downtown Detroit, Michigan, USA. It and the adjacent Cobo Arena are named for Albert E. Cobo, mayor of Detroit from 1950 to 1957. Designed by Gino Rossetti, both Cobo Hall and Cobo Arena opened...
in
DetroitDetroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Wayne County. Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River, in the Midwest region of the United States. Located north of Windsor, Ontario, Detroit is the only major U.S. city that looks south to Canada. It was founded...
,
MichiganMichigan is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. It was named after Lake Michigan, whose name is a French adaptation of the Ojibwe term mishigama, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It is put on by the
Michigan Hot Rod AssociationThe Michigan Hot Rod Association is an association of 7 smaller clubs in Michigan. The association puts on the Autorama car show held every year in March at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan...
and is held every year in March. As of 2006, the show has been in existence for 54 years.
The Detroit Autorama started off as a
hot rodHot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another explanation is that the mufflers were...
show that would raise enough funds to build a
drag stripDrag strip may refer to:*Dragstrip, track used for drag racing*Drag Strip, Transformer character who is one of the Stunticons*Videocart-9: Drag Strip, drag racing videogame released in 1976-See also:*List of Decepticons...
for the MHRA. The first Autorama was held at the University of Detroit Field House in January 1953.
Autorama is a large showcase of custom-built cars held each year at
Cobo HallCobo Center, originally known as Cobo Hall, is a major convention center situated along Jefferson Ave. in downtown Detroit, Michigan, USA. It and the adjacent Cobo Arena are named for Albert E. Cobo, mayor of Detroit from 1950 to 1957. Designed by Gino Rossetti, both Cobo Hall and Cobo Arena opened...
in
DetroitDetroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Wayne County. Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River, in the Midwest region of the United States. Located north of Windsor, Ontario, Detroit is the only major U.S. city that looks south to Canada. It was founded...
,
MichiganMichigan is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. It was named after Lake Michigan, whose name is a French adaptation of the Ojibwe term mishigama, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It is put on by the
Michigan Hot Rod AssociationThe Michigan Hot Rod Association is an association of 7 smaller clubs in Michigan. The association puts on the Autorama car show held every year in March at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan...
and is held every year in March. As of 2006, the show has been in existence for 54 years.
History
The Detroit Autorama started off as a
hot rodHot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another explanation is that the mufflers were...
show that would raise enough funds to build a
drag stripDrag strip may refer to:*Dragstrip, track used for drag racing*Drag Strip, Transformer character who is one of the Stunticons*Videocart-9: Drag Strip, drag racing videogame released in 1976-See also:*List of Decepticons...
for the MHRA. The first Autorama was held at the University of Detroit Field House in January 1953. Around 1,500 people attended the inaugural event.
I 1954, the MHRA decided it needed a larger space to hold the show in, so they chose to hold the show at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. In 1955, the show moved again to the Detroit Artillery Armory, before moving back to the Fairgrounds in 1956. The first Autorama to be held at
Cobo HallCobo Center, originally known as Cobo Hall, is a major convention center situated along Jefferson Ave. in downtown Detroit, Michigan, USA. It and the adjacent Cobo Arena are named for Albert E. Cobo, mayor of Detroit from 1950 to 1957. Designed by Gino Rossetti, both Cobo Hall and Cobo Arena opened...
was in 1961.
Don Ridler
In 1957, the MHRA hired Don Ridler as promotions agent and publicist for the show. Ridler booked bands that were popular at the time to play at Autorama. Popular acts like
Duane EddyDuane Eddy is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Rock and Roll's all-time, #1 instrumentalist.- Biography :...
and
The Big BopperJiles Perry Richardson, Jr. , called JP by his friends but commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star. He is best known for his recording of "Chantilly Lace"...
helped gain attendance at the show. Ridler died an untimely death in 1963. The Ridler Award was established in 1964 in his honor.
The 70's, 80's and 90's
Autorama continued to expand throughout the late 60's and early 70's. In the 70's, Autorama was the highest paying car show in the country, with $500 and the trophy going to the Ridler winners. Autorama was the place to be in the 70's featuring not only the feature cars such as the
MonkeemobileThe Monkeemobile is a modified Pontiac GTO that was designed and built by designer Dean Jeffries for The Monkees, a pop-rock band and television program...
and creations from
Ed RothEd "Big Daddy" Roth was an artist and cartoonist who created the hot-rod icon Rat Fink and other extreme characters. As a custom car builder, Roth was a key figure in Southern California's "Kustom Kulture"/Hot-rod movement of the 1960s...
and
George BarrisGeorge Barris may refer to:*George Barris , designer of custom made cars*George Barris , photographer in the U.S. Army and of Hollywood stars...
, but also bands, television personalities, and Playboy Playmates.
Some of the bands to play Autorama include
Bobby RydellBobby Rydell is an American teen idol from the early 1960s era of rock and roll. According to Allmusic music journalist, Kim Summers, "Rydell is one of the most sought-after nightclub and concert acts in the U.S., and his interest in show business began at the age of four...
,
Bo DiddleyBo Diddley , born Ellas Otha Bates, was an American rock & roll singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was known as "The Originator" because of his key role in the transition from blues music to rock & roll, influencing a host of legendary acts including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton...
,
Brownsville StationBrownsville Station is the name of the following:*Brownsville , a rapid transit metro station in Miami, Florida, USA*Brownsville Station , a 1970s American rock band...
,
Mitch RyderMitch Ryder is an American musician who has recorded over two dozen albums in more than four decades as a performer.-Career:...
,
The TurtlesThe Turtles are an American pop and folk rock band led by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, who became notable for numerous Top 40 hits beginning with their cover version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965...
,
Chubby CheckerChubby Checker is an American singer-songwriter best known for popularizing the The Twist with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard's R&B hit "The Twist"...
,
The Big BopperJiles Perry Richardson, Jr. , called JP by his friends but commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star. He is best known for his recording of "Chantilly Lace"...
,
Alice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, and
The Amboy DukesThe Amboy Dukes were an American rock music band of the late 1960s and early 1970s from Detroit, Michigan, best remembered for their hit single "Journey to the Center of the Mind", and for launching the career of Ted Nugent...
with
Ted NugentTheodore Anthony "Ted" Nugent is an American hard rock guitarist and vocalist from Detroit, Michigan. He originally gained fame as the lead guitarist of The Amboy Dukes...
.
Some of the featured celebrities to appear at Autorama are
Mark HamillMark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director and writer, Hamill is a best known for his role of Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the iconic voice of The Joker in the DC Animated Universe.-Early life and education:Hamill was born and raised in...
, Mark Paul Gosselaar, Leonard Nemoy, Robo Cop,
Mario LopezMario Lopez, Jr. is an American actor of Mexican descent who has appeared on several television series, in films and on Broadway. He is best-known for his portrayal of the character Albert Clifford A.C...
,
Antonio Sabato, Jr.Antonio Sabàto, Jr. is an American actor and male model. Born in Italy and raised in the U.S., Sabàto first became known as a Calvin Klein model and for his role on the soap opera General Hospital...
,
Adam WestAdam West is an American actor best known for his lead role in the 1960s TV series Batman and the film of the same name...
and
Burt WardBurt Ward is an American television actor and activist. He is best known for his work as Robin, the "Boy Wonder," in the 1960s television series Batman...
,
John StamosJohn Phillip Stamos is an American actor best known for his work in television, especially as Uncle Jesse on the ABC sitcom Full House. Since the cancellation of that show in 1995, Stamos has appeared in numerous television films and series. From 2006 to 2009, Stamos had a starring role on the NBC...
,
William ShatnerWilliam Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor and novelist. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk, captain of the starship USS Enterprise, in the television series Star Trek from 1966 to 1969, Star Trek: The Animated Series and in seven of the...
, Mini Me, radio and television personalities
Wolfman JackRobert Weston Smith was a gravelly-voiced, American disc jockey who became world famous in the 1960s and 1970s under the stage name of Wolfman Jack.-Early career:...
and
Count ScaryCount Scary was a character who hosted monthly specials presenting B movie horror films with comedy skits on Detroit television station WDIV from 1982 to the early 1990s....
, wrestlers
Lou AlbanoLouis Vincent Albano was an American professional wrestler, manager and actor. Throughout his 42-year career, Albano guided 15 different tag teams and four singles competitors to championship gold. A unique showman, with an elongated beard, rubber band facial piercings, and loud outfits, he was...
,
King Kong BundyChris Pallies is an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian and actor, better known by his ring name, King Kong Bundy.-Career:...
,
Sgt. SlaughterRobert Remus is an American former WWE personality, and semi-retired professional wrestler better known by the ring name Sgt. Slaughter...
,
Tito SantanaMerced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation...
and
SableThe sable is a species of marten which inhabits forest environments, primarily in Russia from the Ural Mountains throughout Siberia, in northern Mongolia and China and on Hokkaidō in Japan. Its range in the wild originally extended through European Russia to Poland and Scandinavia...
. Racing personalities like
Bobby AllisonRobert Arthur Allison is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers...
,
Richard PettyFor the president & C.E.O. of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, see Richard PeddieRichard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
,
Don GarlitsDonald Glenn "Don" Garlits is considered the father of drag racing. He is known as "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world. Always a pioneer in the field of drag-racing, he, with the help of T.C...
,
John ForceJohn Force is an NHRA drag racer and 14 - time Funny Car champion. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 126 career victories...
, and Tony Pedregon have also appeared at Autorama. Members of the
Detroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in . The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant 10 times...
and
Detroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings is a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL....
have also appeared at the show.
Featured cars include most forms of the
BatmobileThe Batmobile is the automobile of DC Comics superhero Batman. The car has evolved along with the character from comic books to television and films. Kept in the Batcave, which it accesses through a hidden entrance, the Batmobile is a gadget-laden vehicle used by Batman in his crime-fighting...
, the
MonkeemobileThe Monkeemobile is a modified Pontiac GTO that was designed and built by designer Dean Jeffries for The Monkees, a pop-rock band and television program...
,
Greased LightningGreased Lightning is a 1977 biographical film, starring Richard Pryor, Beau Bridges and Pam Grier, and directed by Michael Schultz. Greased Lightning is a film loosely based on the true life story of Wendell Scott, the first African American stock car racing champion in the United...
,
General LeeThe name General Lee may refer to:* Hayato Tani, Japanese Actor, best known for his role of General Lee in Takeshi's Castle* Charles Lee , American Revolutionary War general....
, the Red Baron,
ZZ TopZZ Top is an American rock trio, formed in late 1969 in Houston, Texas, by Billy Gibbons , Dusty Hill , and Frank Beard...
's
EliminatorEliminator is the eighth studio album by American blues-rock band ZZ Top, released in 1983 . It was the band's most successful album, having reached Diamond status. The album is a successful blend of blues rock and analog synthesizers. In 1989, it was ranked #39 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of...
, the A-Team van, the
Munster KoachThe Munster Koach was the family car that was used in the television series, The Munsters. The car was designed and built by famed Hollywood car customizer George Barris and appeared in over twenty episodes throughout the series' two-year run....
, the
Hot WheelsHot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel on September 7, 1968. It was the primary competitor of Johnny Lightning and Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
Twin Mill, and more recently,
Lightning McQueenLightning McQueen, typically referred to by his surname McQueen, is an anthropomorphic racecar and the main protagonist in the 2006 animated Pixar film Cars. He was named after Pixar animator Glenn McQueen who died from skin cancer in 2002. He is no particular car, but his main design is based on...
and
Mater*Mater is a formal term for mother, from Latin.*Mater : The dura mater and pia mater are membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord in humans.Mater may also refer to:-Ireland:...
from the movie Cars.
Ridler Award
Essentially Autorama's "best in show"-type award, the Ridler Award is named after Don Ridler. The winners of the prestigious "Ridler Award", judged "most outstanding from among cars cars being shown for the first time", are shown below:
| Year |
Winner |
Vehicle |
Name |
| 1964 |
Al Bergler |
AA Comp Bantam Coupe |
"Aggravation" |
| 1965 |
Bob Massaron |
1956 Chevrolet Custom |
"Venturian" |
| 1966 |
Maynard Rupp |
1966 Chevy Malibu SS 396 Funny Car |
"Chevoom" |
| 1967 |
Mike Alexander |
1966 Dodge Pickup |
"Deora" |
| 1968 |
Chuck Miller |
Hand Built Fire Truck |
"Fire Truck" |
| 1969 |
Larry Alexander |
Ford T Roadster |
"Top Banana" |
| 1970 |
Jan Bergel |
1966 Dodge Hemi Charger |
"Electro Charger" |
| 1971 |
John Greer |
"C" Cab Truck |
"Brinks Express" |
| 1972 |
Jerry Pennington |
Rear Engine Corvette |
"Scorpion" |
| 1973 |
Jerry Pennington |
Hand Built Street Rod |
"Devilfish" |
| 1974 |
Don Campbell |
1927 Ford T Sedan |
"Tartan T" |
| 1975 |
Bob Gutzke |
1927 Model T Altered Rod Coupe |
|
| 1976 |
Robert Sweatt |
1923 Ford AA Fuel Altered Comp Roadster |
"El Toro" |
| 1977 |
Frank Camden |
1926 T Ford Sedan |
"Frigid T" |
| 1978 |
Bob Anzalone |
1923 T Ford Roadster |
"Black Diamond" |
| 1979 |
Frank Morabito |
1923 T Touring |
"Garagefather" |
| 1980 |
Everett Rezendes |
1928 Ford Sedan Delivery |
"The Cranberry Delivery" |
| 1981 |
Bob Tiano |
1934 3-Window 350 Dual Turbo Ford Coupe |
|
| 1982 |
John Pappert |
1934 Model Y English Ford |
|
| 1983 |
Ron Barnum |
1929 Ford 3-Door Sedan Delivery |
"Renaissance Delivery" |
| 1984 |
Bob Reed |
1934 Ford Altered Street Coupe |
"The Khrome Shoppe Special" |
| 1985 |
Bobby Alloway |
1933 Ford Victoria Altered Street Sedan |
|
| 1986 |
Dale Hunt |
1986 Pontiac Grand Am Pro Stock |
special thanks to Dewayne White for his hard work to complete this car |
| 1987 |
John Kolbusz |
1934 Ford Altered Street Roadster |
|
| 1988 |
Mal Kieswetter |
1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe |
"The Gambler" |
| 1989 |
Mike Baliestiero |
1934 Ford Cabriolet Altered Street Roadster |
|
| 1990 |
Dan Webb |
1932 Ford Altered Street Roadster |
|
| 1991 |
Tony Carlini |
1933 Ford Altered Street Roadster |
|
| 1992 |
Jimmy Stewart |
1932 Ford Sedan |
|
| 1993 |
Dave Stitzer |
1940 Ford Coupe |
|
| 1994 |
Fred Warren |
1937 Ford Coupe |
"Aero Coupe" |
| 1995 |
Bob Rizzoli |
1992 Mercedes 560 SEC |
|
| 1996 |
George Poteet |
1937 Ford Roadster |
|
| 1997 |
Dave Emery |
1932 Ford Roadster |
|
| 1998 |
Eric Peratt & Ken Reister |
1933 Ford Roadster |
"21st Century Comet" |
| 1999 |
Bob Young |
1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe |
|
| 2000 |
Paul Atkins |
1933 Ford Speedster Coupe |
|
| 2001 |
Chris Williams |
1949 Chevy Coupe |
"M-80" |
| 2002 |
Wesley & Bob Rydell |
1935 Chevy |
"Grand Master" |
| 2003 |
Ron Whiteside |
1934 Mercury |
"The Stallion" |
| 2004 |
Al Brockly |
1937 Willys Coupe |
|
| 2005 |
Ken Reister |
1936 Ford Hardtop Convertible |
"Impression" |
| 2006 |
Kevin & Karen Alstott |
1935 Ford |
|
| 2007 |
Ross Myers |
1936 Ford |
"First Love" |
|
| 2008 |
Mike Warn |
1960 Nash Rambler |
"Ferrambo" |