Other car shows suffered with "soft entries" in the months prior, but the masses who held off debuting cars to make a splash at the 50th Anniversary Detroit AutoRama weren't disappointed. Experienced rodders who made the trek to chilly Michigan called it the "best car show they'd ever attended." Those are big words, but the numbers back it up. More than 750 cars lined downtown's Cobo Hall, and 520 of those were in competition for the cash and trophies. Match that to the 120,000-plus spectators that came through the gates, and you can see why we were touting the event for the past year!
Most people in attendance are there to see the cars in contention for the Don Ridler Memorial Award. Considered one of the most prestigious show trophies in the world, the Ridler Award honors the memory of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame member who, before his passing in 1963, led the Michigan Hot Rod Association (MHRA). He brought the tradition of entertainment and outside attractions to the indoor show circuit, and broadened the appeal of shows like the Detroit AutoRama in order to attract a huge audience.
Are you a fan of the indoor shows? The hard-core performance guys and attendees of outdoor shows like the Goodguys tour are critical of the typical AutoRama and World of Wheels shows, saying that they're just for trailer queens, sideshow rides, and casual fans who aren't real car guys.
The outstanding workmanship exhibited at Cobo Hall, especially in recent years, rebuts those critics of the static events. The indoor show season has recently become a time when a car owner or builder can parade a new buildup, travel to some fun towns, maybe make a few bucks, and then drive out of the back door at the last show! What had been permanent show cars before are now seeing road miles. Could that be a reason for resurgence?
Championship Auto Shows and the Detroit AutoRama 50th Committee, in coordination with MHRA, worked hard to organize past champions and a record number of debuts to make this a special event. It worked. Congrats to the Larivee family and all of those who pulled it off.
In hopes of Ridler glory, Bobby Alloway brought a true hot rod to Detroit. This '32 Ford, powered by an all-aluminum GM Performance Parts ZL-1 big block, was actually a project started by Boyd Coddington just before his empire crumbled a few years back. A sister to the Boydster II, which won the Grand National Roadster Show's America's Most Beautiful Roadster trophy a few years back, Alloway bought this steel body and its framerails three years ago with the idea of taking the finished product to the 50th Autorama. George Lange, the guy who owns the '56 Ford that graced our cover a few months back, was quite pleased to be a finalist; the inside scoop is he only lost to the Foose car by one vote. | 
Alloway, who won the Ridler in '85, also brought another car to Detroit: Gai Wilson's '32 Ford coupe. If this car looks tweaked, you've got a good eye. Bobby channeled the front of the body by 1 3/4 inches, which dropped the grilleshell another 2 1/5 inches. He then split the top of fenders and sectioned them by 1 1/2 inches to bury a special wheel under the fender for an ultimate tucked look (using an American 16-inch center with a 15-inch hoop. All of this put the nose on the ground without lowering the car more than the suspension could handle. Combined with a serious 454 with dual-quads, it was one of eight Ridler finalists (25 were up for the title). Considering that two Speedstars also made the final count, we'd say Bobby had a big week. | 
Though we first saw this '51 Ford Phantom two-door wagon at Goodguys Indy last season, we'd still love to get a feature on it. This Eric Peratt/Pinkee's Rod Shop creation belongs to Tim Fynes and is an interesting mix of Pro Street and classic lines with about 500 hp mixed in. Powered by a Boss 429 mill and resting on Art Morrison framerails with Air Ride's Shockwave system, it was one of our favorites. If you recognize the Peratt name, it might have been when he won the Ridler with the "21st Century Comet," owned by Ken Reister. |
The Pro Street cars still go over big-time with the fans at Autorama, and are even more popular if they actually work as good as they look. This Barracuda is aptly named "Twisted Fish," and is actually SFI 25.1c legal. So, if the 540 Indy Cylinder Head Hemi is up to the challenge, it's allowed to run deep into the 7s. With a four-link, BDS EFI, and an 871, the only thing missing is courage. Credit Wisconsin resto king John Bailow with the paint and Maple Park, Illinois' Competition Fabrication with the buildup. | 
Longtime Detroit entrant and multitime Ridler winner Jerry Pennington showed off some of his past creations, like "Devil Fish," the custom concept that wowed the crowds when it won in 1972. Though you hate to admit it, creations like this are part of what brought mainstream folks to the indoor shows in the '70s and made titles like PHR one of the most dominant magazines on the newsstand. | 
Should we run this or not? Heck, any car called "Disco" or with the word "Disco" on its nose is worth a spot. No more caption required. |
Recognize this car? Yes, it's Clarence Catello's "Silver Sapphire," the original "Little Deuce Coupe" that's straight from the cover of the Beach Boys album! General Motors wanted it in their booth, not just because it's a famous rod, but because it has an Olds powerplant. That Beach Boys car was built by the famed Alexander Brothers, who were the featured builders of the show. Larry and Mike have been a staple in the rod and custom scene around Detroit since the '50s, and were a heavy influence on the model business as consultants for AMT. | 
It wouldn't be the Autorama without "Circle of Champions" member George Barris in the house. Barris designed this custom '41 Chrysler City Coupe for its builder and owner, Jerry Kind. |  |