Autorama is a unique traveling show, combining the most inventive aspects of car fans, with both professionals and amateurs; what’s more, the show travels. Chicago and Omaha are wrapping up now, but the show is moving on to Salt Lake City, Winnipeg, Indianapolis, Calgary, and Cincinatti; and next year, there will be more Autoramas in more cities. But what could top an Autorama in the Motor City, which wrapped its short appearance last weekend?
The Golden Sunrise above is a modded 1958 New Yorker; its hardtop was chopped, its doors, hood, and trunk shaved, and its fenders extended. In front, hiding from Mopar fans, are Olds headlights, while power comes from a 392 Hemi V8.
The most remarkable part of this hot rod is probably the heavily modified Chrysler Industrial Hemi V8, a fairly rare powerplant in general.
The only one of the three X-2 steam-powered skycycles to belong to the Knievel estate, this device was used as an unmanned test vehicle before Evel flew over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho, back in 1974. He made it to the other side when the parachute deployed due to a design flaw, dragging him back over to the side he had started from.
Someone brought over Barbie’s pink Cadillac convertible, which had a good reception, and there were numerous other notable cars. Two-wheelers were also well represented, from BSA, Triumph, and other companies—and that’s not to mention the actual bicycles. Vendors showed off clever creations, like the ones above. There were hundreds if not thousands of models for sale, and slot cars on display or for sale. One wrench-and-gear table was supported by three cams.
AutoRama is still alive and well, with a healthy number of exhibitors and visitors, and it shows up in a surprising number of cities of various sizes. Check their web site to see if it’s coming to your town, then check out our brother site Motales’ full AutoRama Detroit coverage.
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