The 59th Annual Meguiar’s Autorama, Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, is revved up and ready to roar into Cobo Center in Detroit, February 25 – 27. Billed as America’s Greatest Hot Rod Show, this super buffed, turbo charged Detroit tradition features the hottest hot rods, custom cars and fifties classics in the country and attracts visitors from across the U.S.
The annual winter ritual brings the most devout gearheads and just plain curious folks, up close and personal, with over 1,000 exhibits of chopped, channeled, dumped and decked hot rods, custom cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles of the past and present.
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This year’s show features award winning customs from across the country including the radical custom car, Scythe, presented by Galpin Auto Sports; Dennis Li’l Daddy Roth’s Streetnik Bandit, the Goodguys Hot Rod of the Year; The Downtown Brown ’30 Ford, and The 6 Pack, wild custom from the cover of Mini Truckin’ Magazine.
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New this year, The Hollywood Legends car display will feature an array of some of the most famous TV and movie cars in history including the KITT car from TV’s Knight Rider, TV’s Starsky & Hutch Torino, General Lee from TV’s Dukes of Hazzard, Andy Griffiths’ Mayberry Sherriff’s Car from TV’s Andy Griffith Show, the Ghostbusters Movie Car, the Monkeemobile and the Green Hornet TV Car.
A modern day legend, Car Customizer “Good Ole Boy” Bobby Alloway from Nashville, Tennessee will be honored as customizer/owner of the year. The finest and most extensive collection of his vehicles - ever seen in one place at one time - will be a highlight of the Detroit Autorama. The 14 car collection will include Alloway’s famous 61 Chevy Bubbletop, 70 Challenger, Victoria Speedster, Phaeton Speedstar and ’63 Corvette.
Danny White, author of “The Last Rock ‘n Roll Show” where music meets hot rods will be on hand throughout Autorama autographing his popular novel that weaves together the story of Buddy Holly and the world of hot rods.
The entire lower level of Cobo Center features Detroit Autorama Extreme 1953 with 225 traditional rods, customs and bobber bikes presented by 89X. This successful addition to Autorama, now in its sixth year, is getting rave reviews. A show within a show, Autorama Extreme fills the entire 100,000 square feet of the lower level of Cobo’s Michigan Hall.
The Motor City Mavens 2011 Auto Art Panel Jam and Charity Auction benefiting Leader Dogs for the Blind will be presented by WRIF’s Mike and Drew. More than 200 of the most outrageous pinstripers from across the country will be in Detroit during all three days of Autorama to apply their artistry to items of every variety. They will demonstrate for the crowds, and auction the items throughout the event with all proceeds going to Leader Dogs for the Blind. Last year the Pinstripers Auction raised over $70,000 for charity.
At the heart of Autorama are hundreds of sizzling striped and souped up masterpieces of backyard car jockeys from across the country who flock to the motor city to show off their originals for the first time. These auto gems compete for awards and prizes in the Summit Show Car Series. The series competition culminates in the awarding of a check for $1,000 each to the Pirelli Great 8. Finally one of the great eight is named winner of the prestigious Ridler Award for the best vehicle first time shown sponsored by GM Performance Division. The winner receives $10,000 in cash plus a custom trophy and a jacket.
The extremely popular Autorama Student Career Day which was a roaring success when introduced five years ago continues to grow. This year more than 3,000 high school and trade school automotive students from nearly 50 Michigan schools will converge on Autorama on Friday, February 25 for a morning of presentations by key hot rod builders and industry leaders including Chip Foose. After hearing from industry leaders, students will have the opportunity to visit the show and view the millions of dollars worth of show cars.
Other features at this year’s Autorama include the 1937 Glen Johnson Ford from the cover of Hot Rod Magazine 1952 -owned by Joe Bortz; Preservation Award Winner Barry Ewing with his Oliver Hines’ 1933 Ford Coupe – winner of Autorama best in show 1955, 1956 and 1957, The Cavalcade of Kustoms featuring hand picked 50s customs, The Drag City USA exhibit presented by Milan Dragway featuring vintage race cars, the 17th Annual Toy A Rama and the Hot Rod Heritage Fine Art Exhibit.
APPEARANCES on THE CELEBRITY STAGE:
These special guests will meet and greet visitors and sign autographs.
Andy Hillstrand – Deadliest Catch – Discovery TV Star
Friday. Feb. 25, 5 to 9 p.m.
Debby Ryan – “Bailey” from Disney TV’s “Suite Life on Deck”
Saturday, Feb. 26, 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Billy Bretherton – Billy the Exterminator – A & E TV Star
Saturday, Feb. 26 , 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Shawn Michaels – WWE Wrestling Superstar
Sunday, February 27 , 1 to 4 p.m.
Bella Thorne – “CeCe” from Disney TV’s “Shake It Up”
Sunday, Feb. 27, noon to 5 p.m.
Pete Chapouris – “Hot Rod Legend”
All weekend
Dennis “Li’l Daddy” Roth airbrushing shirts
All weekend
Autorama Extreme
Rockabilly Band Performances
The Swingin Demons
Saturday, Feb. 26: noon, 3 and 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 27: noon and 3 p.m.
The Twistin Tarantulas
Saturday, Feb. 26: 2, 4 and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 27: noon and 4 p.m.
AUTORAMA AT COBO CENTER SHOW HOURS
Friday, February 25, Noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday, February 26, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, February 27, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
ADMISSION
At Gate: Adults - $18
Children 6 to 12 years - $5
Children 5 and under free
Discount Tickets are available at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts
Discount tickets are: General Admission - $15, Children 6 – 12 - $4
Group rate tickets are available for $12
For more information call (248) 373-1700
Go to www.autorama.com
for up to the minute information and last minute changes.
Autorama is produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc.
Sponsored by the Michigan Hot Rod Association
