64th Annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts
64th Annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at COBO CENTER
America’s Greatest Hot Rod Show – Detroit Autorama
Friday, February 26 – Noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, February 28 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Over 800 of the Most Beautiful and Outrageous Hot Rods, Customs, Trucks and Motorcycles From Across America and the World And A Special Live Concert Saturday Night with Danny “The Count” Koker and the Band “Count’s 77”
Show Begins With Outdoor “Street Outlaws” Burn Out Demo
The 64th Annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama is revved up and ready to roar into Cobo Hall on February 26 – 28, 2016. Billed as America’s greatest hot rod show, Detroit Autorama will feature not only 800 of the most amazing chopped, channeled, dumped and decked, hot rods and custom cars in the world, but a special Saturday night concert by History Channel star Danny “The Count” Koker from the show “Counting Cars” and his band “The Count’s 77”. The concert will be at 7 p.m.
“We are delighted to bring live music back to the main stage at Autorama with Danny “The Count” Koker. This is a unique opportunity to combine the world of rock and roll and car culture via one of the most popular car culture TV stars. It’s a once in a lifetime Autorama experience,” said Peter A. Toundas, President and Owner of Championship Auto Shows Inc. “We are always striving to bring new excitement to Autorama along with the most spectacular showing of performance cars anywhere in the country. We know our show goers will love this year’s amazing Autorama.”
Adding additional excitement to this year’s Autorama is the live burn out and wheel stand demonstration by the Farmtruck and AZN’s Vehicles from Discovery TV’s “Street Outlaws” TV show on Friday, February 26, at the corner of Washington Blvd at Jefferson at 11:45 a.m. in front of Cobo Hall. All of downtown Detroit will know that Autorama has arrived when the screeching burn out echoes through the streets of downtown Detroit.
This 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 53 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 Ridler Award for the best vehicle first time shown, sponsored by Chevrolet Performance. 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 64 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, February 26 event called the “Ridler’s Ball,” at Cobo Hall, presented by Chevrolet Performance. 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 10thyear, Autorama Extreme continues to grow every year and is getting rave reviews. A show within a show, it also features continuous entertainment by Rockabilly Bands and the Miss Autorama Retro Pin Up Girl Contest that takes place on Saturday, February 27 at 3 p.m. It’s presented by Vinsetta Garage.
More Autorama Features
Back upstairs, additional features of the 64th Annual Detroit Autorama include a special display of some of the most beautiful Concept Cars of the Past andCavalcade of Customs – a 10 car exhibit of specially invited customs, as well as the Autorama Preservation Award Winner –presented by Steele Rubber Products
Returning this year is the extremely popular Autorama Student Career Day, introduced nine 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 26 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 2016 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, February 26 at 4 p.m.; Saturday, February 27 at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and Sunday, February 28 at noon and 3 p.m.
Other features at this year’s Autorama include the 24th Annual Toy-A-Rama and the Pedal Car Challenge presented by Summit Racing Equipment
Appearances on the Celebrity Stages:
These special guest will meet and greet visitors and sign autographs:
Farmtruck and AZN from Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws, Friday, February 26 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Olivia Holt, “Lindsay Watson” from Disney’s TV Show “I Didn’t Do It,”Saturday, February 27, from 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 p.m.
Horny Mike from History Channel’s “Counting Cars” TV Show on Sunday, February 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.
WWE Super Star Daniel Bryan on Sunday, February 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.
AUTORAMA AT COBO CENTER HOURS
Friday, February 26, Noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday, February 27, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, February 28, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ADMISSION
At Gate: Adults – $19
Children 6 to 12 years – $6
Children 5 and under free
DISCOUNT TICKETS are available at O’REILLY AUTO PARTS
Discount tickets are: General Admission – $17, Children 6 – 12 – $5
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.
Autorama is produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc.
and hosted by Michigan Hot Rod Association
