DETROIT — The 66th Annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama, Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts is revved up and ready to roar into Cobo Center on March 2 -4, 2018. Billed as America’s greatest hot rod show, Detroit Autorama will feature 800 of the most amazing chopped, channeled, dumped and decked, hot rods and custom cars in the world.
This year’s show brings a collection of five of the cars featured in the 2017 movie “Fate of the Furious 8” from the famous Fast and Furious movie franchise, plus the appearance of auto racing legend Dale Earnhardt, Jr.!
“We are always striving to bring new excitement to Autorama along with the most spectacular showing of performance cars anywhere in the country. This year, hosting Dale Earnhardt Jr and the famous “Fate of the Furious 8″ movie cars, along with all of our features, makes the Detroit Autorama 2018 a show that no one will want to miss,” said Peter A. Toundas, President and Owner of Championship Auto Shows Inc., producers of Autorama.
An additional big draw to this year’s Autorama is a special exhibit of five of the most exciting landspeed record breaking speedsters that have run on the famous Bonneville Salt Flats including the 2017 record breaking gold Speed Demon. In 2017, Speed Demon claimed the Speed Week trophy for the seventh consecutive year, with an astounding 438.643 mph pass on the Salt Flats.
Adding special excitement to this year’s Autorama is the live outdoor Rolling Towering Inferno Flame Throwing Fest. This is when two cars and a super truck shoot spectacularly high flames. The amazing show will open Autorama with a blast at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, March 2 in front of Cobo Center on Jefferson. Once again, all of downtown Detroit will know that Autorama has arrived when the souped up cars and truck breathe fire.
Autorama, the super buffed, turbo charged Detroit tradition is one of the largest and oldest hot rod-custom car show in North America. It attracts visitors from across the U.S. and the globe. The calling card of this renowned show is the presentation of the Ridler Award, the most coveted award in hot rodding. For 56 years the auspicious award has been presented to the most outstanding new custom car, shown for the first time anywhere. Because of this distinction, the show attracts the finest custom car builders in North America to unveil their amazing vehicles for the first time at the famous show.
“It’s extremely gratifying that Detroit Autorama is the home of America’s most important hot rod award. “said Toundas. “This is the motor city and Detroit is where hot rod, custom car shows started so we make every effort to let everyone know about this important heritage.”
Detroit Autorama is the annual winter ritual that brings the most devout gear heads and just plain curious folks, up close and personal, with the autos that appear in hot rod and custom car magazines. The cars, brought by backyard car jockeys as well as the top customizers in the country, compete for top awards in numerous classes. These auto gems vie for awards and prizes in the Summit Racing Equipment Show Car Series. In addition Autorama participants vie for the prestigious RidlerAward for the best vehicle first time shown. Some 30 cars that qualify to be judged for the Ridler are pared down to the Pirelli Great 8. Each great 8 finalist is awarded a check for $1,000. It all culminates with the announcement of the Ridler Award Winner who receives $10,000 cash plus a custom trophy and jacket.
Autorama History
The first Detroit Autorama took place 66 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 Fairground and the Detroit Artillery Armory before coming to Cobo Center as its first paid public show in 1961! In the years since, the show has grown and has earned a stellar reputation as the leading hot rod-custom car show in the nation.
Autorama Hosts Ridler’s Ball
Autorama, will kick off with a stellar Friday night, March 2 event called the “Ridler’s Ball.” Created during the 50th Anniversary of Autorama, the event was such a rousing success that organizers responded by making it an annual event. The roster of more than 1,000 attendees include a who’s who of the hot rod-custom car world across North America
Autorama Extreme, The Show Within a Show
One of the most popular additions to Autorama is Autorama Extreme covering the entire 100,000 sq feet of Cobo Center’s lower level. It features more than 200 traditional rods, customs and bobber bikes inspired by the 1950s. Now in its 12thyear, Autorama Extreme continues to grow every year and is getting rave reviews. A show within a show, it also features Gene Winfield’s “Chop Shop” Demonstrations sponsored by Summit Racing Equipment as well as continuous entertainment by Rockabilly Bands and the Miss Autorama Retro Pin Up Girl Contest that takes place on Saturday, March 3 at 5 p.m., presented by Vinsetta Garage.
More Autorama Features
Back upstairs, additional features of the 66th Annual Detroit Autorama include a special display of Cavalcade of Customs – a 10 car exhibit of specially invited customs, as well as the Autorama Preservation Award Winner – the famous 1966 Ridler Winner, Maynard Rupp’s 66’ Chevelle – “Chevoom” presented by Steel Rubber Products.
Returning this year is the extremely popular Autorama Student Career Day, introduced eleven 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, March 2 for morning presentations by key hot rod builders and industry leaders to 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 2018 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. Demonstrations are ongoing. The live auction times are Friday, March 2 at 4 p.m. to 5 p.m..; Saturday, March 3 at noon to 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 at noon to 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Other features at this year’s Autorama include the 25th Annual Toy-A-Rama and the Pedal Car Challenge presented by Summit Racing Equipment.
Appearances on the Celebrity Stages:
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will meet and greet fans on Saturday, March 3 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair will meet and greet fans on Friday, March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.
- WWE Superstar Roman Reigns will meet and greet fans on Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to noon
- John Schneider “Bo Duke” from “The Dukes of Hazzard” and the T.V. series “Haves and the Have Nots” will meet and greet fans on Sunday, March 4 from 1-5 p.m.
- Barry Meguiar, Host of Meguiar’s “Car Crazy TV” will meet and greet fans on Saturday, March 3 at 11 a.m and 2 p.m.
AUTORAMA AT COBO CENTER HOURS
Friday, March 2, Noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ADMISSION
At Gate: Adults – $20
Children 6 to 12 years – $7
Children 5 and under free
DISCOUNT TICKETS are available at O’REILLY AUTO PARTS
Discount tickets are: General Admission – $18, Children 6 – 12 – $6
Group tickets are also available
For more information call 248-373-1700
Go to www.autorama.com for up to the minute information and last minute changes.
Source: Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama