Detroit — The 69th annual Meguiar’s Autorama has arrived in Detroit on March 4-6 after a year off due to Covid-19. These amazing custom cars and hot rods were a treat to see with their custom paint jobs and special custom accessories and trims. The best of the best were vying for the coveted Ridler Award.
Friday’s special guest was Chip Foose, the famed car builder from the TV show “Overhaulin” who met with the fans to sign autographs. Saturday will feature appearances by AEW Wrestling Star Sting and car builder Dave Ankin. On Sunday, Danny Koker and Kevin Mack from “Count’s Kustoms” will appear from 1 to 4 p.m.
I spoke with Bruce Harvey who built the 1931 Chevy, which is a Ridler Award Nominee, along with a team of five other people. The car is owned by Rick and Patty Bird of Bellefonte, Penn. “We did the paint work, the sheet metal and body work. It took two and a half years to build,” Harvey says. “This Chevy features a 3M candy color paint with four different underbases with wine berry tint over the top. There are lots of unique features about this car. Every panel has been tweaked and made different.”
“There is a 509 engine with twin turbos, hydraulic shocks with a cantilever set up. It has a Shaker hood, and a spoiler on the roof; the shortened roof is dipped down which matches the dip in the trunk. The radiator is in the back and the armrest and console lifts up to reveal the hydraulic shocks and a methane tank,” added Harvey.
Another fun hot rod is the 1937 Ford Custom Slantback owned by Jim Bridgewater from Scottsdale, Ariz. “The unique feature of this vehicle is the auto finish and detail. It has an all steel body and took four years to build and one and a half years to paint. It is a 450 horsepower vehicle with 18,000 miles on it. It has Lexus seats with supple leather and inlaid suede trim on the inside doors. I call the exterior color Champagne and Wine,” says Bridgewater. He added the power steering, Vintage Air, power brakes, windows and cruise control. Bridgewater now lives in Paradise Valley near the Camelback Mountains and has an unattached garage that holds six cars.
As I walked through the many aisles, I spotted a 2001 Auld Hydroplane. Phil Goodell says it goes up to 130 mph and 20-30 mph on the corners. It runs on ethanol-free fuel; 100 percent gasoline. His son, Dillon Goodell, will race this bad boy on Belleville Lake in July.
The Motor City 2022 Autorama enthusiasts again share the beauty and passion for the best custom cars and hot rods from across America and the world. There was a big crowd turnout on Friday. Seems everyone was itching to get out of the house and have some fun.
Tickets for general admission is $25, with discount tickets available at O’Reilly Auto Parts for $23. Children 6-12 is $10 general admission or $9 discounted from O’Reilly Auto Parts. Friday’s hours are 12noon-10 p.m. Saturday 9am-10pm. Sunday 10am-7 pm. Enjoy.
For tickets and more info about the Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama, visit https://autorama.com/attend/detroit/
This 1931 Chevy is owned by Rick and Patty Bird of Bellefonte, Penn. 
Chip Foose, the famed car builder from the TV show “Overhaulin” 
1937 Ford Custom Slantback 
It is a 450 horsepower vehicle with 18,000 miles on it. 
As I walked through the many aisles, I spotted a 2001 Auld Hydroplane.
Check back for more coverage from the 2022 Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama.