Detroit Autorama

The 70th anniversary Detroit Autorama will be held February 24-26, 2023 at the Huntingto Place in Detroit, Michigan.

The poster for the 2015 Detroit Autorama.

An overview photo from the 1953 Detroit Autorama. Photo from The Robert Genat Photo Collection.

In 1952 the MHRA held its first Autorama car show at the University of Detroit Field House. The efforts of all the club members in producing and promoting the show made it a success. Right from the start, the MHRA proved that funds could be raised for a drag strip by holding a quality auto show. As the Detroit Autorama grew in size, it moved from the University of Detroit Field House to the State Fairgrounds to the Artillery Armory and back to the Fairgrounds.

In 1956 the MHRA decided to hire a professional promoter in order to increase the show in size and stature. Don Ridler, a local promoter specializing in band and sporting events, was contracted to handle the next Autorama. Under Ridler's direction, the Detroit show developed quickly. By adding bands to the show and scoring with major publicity stories in the news media, Ridler quickly succeeded in developing the Detroit show, generating funds needed to build the dream raceway in New Baltimore, Michigan.

In 1961 the first Detroit Autorama was held at Cobo Hall.

Visit www.autorama.com for more information about Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 2023

The 70th anniversary Detroit Autorama will be held February 24-26, 2023 at the Huntingto Place in Detroit, Michigan.

Detroit Autorama 2022

Photos:
Click here for more info and photos from the 2022 Detroit Autorama,

Detroit Autorama 2020

The 68th annual Detroit Autorama was held February 28 - March 1, 2020 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos:
Click here for more info and photos from the 2020 Detroit Autorama,

Detroit Autorama 2018

The 66th annual Detroit Autorama was held March 2-4, 2018 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Detroit Autorama 2017

The 65th annual Detroit Autorama was held February 24-26, 2017 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos:
Click here to see Bill Cook's photos from the 2017 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 2015

The 63rd annual Detroit Autorama was held March 6-8, 2015 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 2015 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Michigan Hot Rod Association's photos from the 2015 Detroit Autorama]
Click here to see Bossmustang's photos from the 2015 Detroit Autorama]

Detroit Autorama 2014

The 62nd annual Detroit Autorama was held March 7-9, 2014 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos:
Click here to see Bossmustang's photos from the 2014 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Hotrodhotline's photos from the 2014 Detroit Autorama Pinstriper's Panel Jam
Click here to see Hotrodhotline's photos of nostalgic & traditional hot rods at the 2014 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Hotrodhotline's photos from Friday and Saturday at the 2014 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Hotrodhotline's photos from set up day at the 2014 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Hotrodhotline's photos of the Ridler Award contenders at the 2014 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 2012

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 2012 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 2011

The 59th annual Detroit Autorama was held February 25-27, 2011 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos:
Click here to see HarmsWay1932's photos from the 2011 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Al Liebmann's photos from the 2011 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Cris3025's photos from the 2011 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see HotRodgary62's photos from the 2011 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Bossmustang's photos from the 2011 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see DJ Saint's photos from the 2011 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 2010

The 58th annual Detroit Autorama was held February 26-28 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Cars Attending:
Joe Siclari's 1957 Ford Custom 300 - The Pearl Necklace

Photos:
Click here to see HotRodGary62's pictures from the 2010 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see BangShift.com's pictures from the 2010 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Boss Mustang's pictures from the 2010 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Pyrocars' pictures from the 2010 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 2009

Detroit Autorama 2009 was held March 6 - 8 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Amongst the displayed cars were the newly restored Lil' Coffin, the Predicta, the Hirohata Merc, Sam Barris' 1949 Mercury, the Ala Kart, Arthur Bentas' Raven, and the Kopper Kart Clone. Builder of the year at the show was Darryl Starbird of Star Kustom Shop.

Photos:
Click here to see Hot Rod Hotline's pictures from the 2009 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see Boss Mustang's pictures from the 2009 Detroit Autorama
Click here to see the Auto Channels coverage of the show
Click here to see 19steamboat73's pictures from the 2009 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 2005

Bill Hines was named Builder of the Year at the 2005 Detroit Autorama. He was on hand to receive accolades for his contributions to the art of customizing, and five of his creations were displayed at the show. One of the cars was the newly restored Marty Ribits' 1934 Ford cabriolet, the Golden Nugget. Current owner Larry Jordon completed the restoration 3 days prior to the show.

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 2005 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 1984

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 1984 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 1980

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 1980 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 1976

The 24th annual Detroit Autorama was held January 2-4, 1976 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos:
Click here for more info and photos from the 1976 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 1965

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 1965 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 1964

Cars Attending:
Car Craft Dream Rod
Ed Roth's Mysterion
Mike Budnick's 1960 Pontiac Ventura - The Golden Indian

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 1964 Detroit Autorama

Detroit Autorama 1963

Cars Attending:
Lew Wolff's 1932 Ford Roadster
Mike Budnick's 1960 Pontiac Ventura - The Golden Indian

Awarded Cars:
Best Hot Rod: Lew Wolff's 1932 Ford Roadster

Detroit Autorama 1961

Cars Attending:
Best Custom: Bill Whetstone's 1960 Ford Starliner - The Adonis

Detroit Autorama 1959

Cars Attending:
Bill Carr's 1955 Chevrolet - The Aztec

Detroit Autorama 1958

Bill Hines' 1950 Ford, The Lil' Bat made its debut at the 1958 Autorama.

Cars Attending:
The Alexander Brothers' 1931 Ford Model A Pickup - The Grasshopper
Al and Dave Tarkanyi's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Marty Ribits' 1934 Ford Cabriolet - The Golden Nugget
Jerry Yatch's 1940 Mercury
Bob Nugent's 1946 Lincoln Coupe
Bill Hines' 1950 Ford - The Lil' Bat
Jerry Sarkozi's 1956 Chevrolet Delray

Photos:
Click here to see photos from the 1958 Detroit Autorama