2012 Autorama Detroit

The 60th Anniversary Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama is revved up and ready to roar into Cobo Center in Detroit on Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26. 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 North America.

The annual winter ritual brings the most devout gear heads 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.

“On this the 60th Anniversary of Detroit Autorama, we are jam packed with legendary hot rods, special events and celebrity appearances,” said Bob Larivee, Jr., CEO of Championship Auto Shows, Inc., producers of Detroit Autorama. “Among the amazing array of hot rods and customs are the stunning 1960s Bubbletop Mantaray by legendary designer Dean Jeffries, the BASF 1957 Mercedes Gullwing designed by car customizing super star Chip Foose, Charley Ryan’s original ‘Hot Rod Lincoln’ and from the Transformers 3 movie The Chevrolet Transformer 3 Camaro.”

The first Detroit Autorama took place 60 years ago at the University of Detroit Field House as a fundraiser for Michigan Hot Rod Association‘s efforts to build the legendary Detroit Dragway. Over the years it moved to the Michigan State Fairgrounds and the Detroit Artillery Armory before coming to Cobo Center as its first paid public show in 1961! Over the years, as the show has grown, it has earned a stellar reputation as the leading hot rod - custom car show in the nation.

Additional features of the 60th Anniversary Detroit Autorama include Drag City USA featuring vintage race cars, Cavalcade of Kustoms, a 10 car exhibit of hand picked 50s customs and the Cowboys Cadillac display featuring Rancheros and El Caminos.

The Autorama Builder/Owner of the Year will be builder of three Ridler Award winners, Don Pilkenton, showing off a spectacular exhibit of 18 of his legendary custom cars sponsored by The Henry Ford.

The entire lower level of Cobo Center features the popular Detroit Autorama Extreme featuring more than 200 traditional rods, customs and bobber bikes inspired by the 1950s. This successful addition to Autorama, now in its seventh 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.

Returning this year is the extremely popular Autorama Student Career Day, introduced six years ago . 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 24 for morning presentation by key hot rod builders and industry leaders including Chip Foose and learn about career opportunities in this growing field. After hearing from industry leaders, students will have the opportunity to visit the show and view the millions of dollars worth of show cars.

The Motor City Mavens 2012 Auto Art Panel Jam and Charity Auction benefiting Leader Dogs for the Blind will be presented by WRIF. 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.

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 Racing Equipment 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 show sponsored by Chevrolet Performance. The winner receives $10,000 in cash plus a custom trophy and a jacket.

Admission to Autorama at the gate is $18 for adults, Children 6 to 12 years are $5 and Children 5 and under are free.

DISCOUNT TICKETS are available at O’REILLY AUTO PARTS.
Discount tickets are: General Admission - $16, Children 6 - 12 $4.
Group rates for 20 or more are available through Feb. 10 at $12.

For more information and celebrity appearance details call 248-373-1700 or go to www.autorama.com.

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