Detroit — The 71st annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama is underway at the Huntington Place in Detroit this weekend. Car lovers, this is for you, or even if you’re not, the show provides entertainment for all ages.
Several generations of Batmobiles are on display. From 1966 when Adam West was Batman, all the way through 2017 with Ben Affleck. These vehicles are awesome.
There also is a display of stuntman, Evel Knievel’s vehicles from his X2 Skyrocket, the Snake River Trike and his Formula 1 dragster. Several props and clothing are also on display. What a collection this is!
And speaking of custom cars, there are so many, it is mind blowing. I love the custom paint jobs on some of these cars. They are really something to see.
In the basement, it’s a whole other world, with custom products on display and yes more cars, and live bands for your enjoyment.
I talked with Dawn & Scott Doyan of Bay City, Mich. regarding their 1967 Chevy Nova II SS drag race car. Scott says “I bought it in Missouri and it was a two year project to build and I just finished it last Tuesday.” The Nova has a 632 c.i. big block engine producing 2,000 horsepower. It uses Q-16 oxegenated fuel which is primarily for inter-cooled, forced induction drag racing applications.
“I don’t know how fast it goes yet,” says Doyan. “The projected speed is 185 mph in 4.09 seconds,” he added. The paint and body work was done by Tim Paap and Paul Wisniewski. The engine is by Lecompte Racing engines. Doyan says he hasn’t raced it yet but plans on racing at the Top Sportsman Class in Grand Rapids, Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Norwalk Raceway in Norwalk, Ohio among others.
AmericaJR’s Jerome Rzucidlo talked with Ron Kline on his 1946 Plymouth Special Deluxe. This yellow beauty was bought because he liked that style of car. Ron says he bought it in 1986 when he was 26 years old. Now. he’s retired. “This Plymouth has an original motor with a flat-head six cylinder five-speed transmission on the floor. “I got rid of the stick on the steering column. It has a two two-barreled carburetor, disc brakes, stereo and air conditioning that I added because my wife don’t like the convertible top down,” says Kline.
This vehicle goes up to 70 mph on the highway and has only 2,200 miles on it. “I still drive it to the store or Walmart.” It has a customized interior style from the 1950’s. “It’s called rolled and pleated interior style,” added Kline. I noticed the hubcaps are unique. They are 59 Dodge Lancer hubcaps. To me, it looks like a roulette wheel. Kline says many people have told him that.
The 71st Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama located in Huntington Place in Detroit is on from March 1-3, 2024. The hours are Friday 12 noon-10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The address is 1 Washington Blvd. Stop by and see some unique custom cars and hot rods this weekend, you’ll be glad you did.
For tickets and more info, visit: https://autorama.com/attend/detroit/.
Evel Knievel’s Formula 1 dragster 
1946 Plymouth Special Deluxe owned by Ron Kline 
The 1967 Chevy Nova II SS has a 632 c.i. big block engine producing 2,000 horsepower. 
Actor Noel G “Hector” from the hit film series “Fast and Furious”
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