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2009 Detroit Autorama - Dee-vine Dee-troitThe 57th Annual Detroit Autorama From the June, 2009 issue of Custom Classic Trucks By Josh Mishler
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Although right now might not be the best time economically for the city of Detroit and its struggling automakers, Detroit will always be known as the Motor City. No matter how bad things get, Detroit is the place where the newest technologies, cutting edge design, and forward thinking thrive. For almost a century now, the whole country, and even the world, have looked to Detroit for a glimpse at what the future would hold. Regardless of how things may currently look for Detroit, it is still the place that we look to for new and cutting-edge ideas. The inspiration for cutting-edge ideas and a glimpse at the future of cars and trucks isn't just found within the Big Three, for it is also found within other places at Detroit. We as truck customizers, hot rodders, and all-around gearheads still look to Detroit every March to see what the countries finest custom car and truck builders are debuting at the Autorama as many of them are vying for the prestigious Ridler Award. Although it has taken a few... Although it has taken a few years, there are more and more '46-'47 Ford pickups showing up and gaining favorable popularity. This silver '46 is an excellent example of what great looking trucks they are with a little customizing. Anything Cool Custom are the builders of this slick '46, which looks great laying low thanks to an air ride suspension. This year marked the 57th annual for the Detroit Autorama and much like the years that preceded it, it was a huge success. Held in downtown Detroit at the overwhelming 700,000 square-foot hall known as Cobo Center, some of the countries finest custom cars and trucks came out to shine. This year saw almost 1,000 vehicles on the show floor along with the extreme area in the basement of Cobo, where bomber-style hot rods and tuner cars were on display. As with every year at Detroit, the big hubbub was the Great 8 and the cars competing for the Ridler Award. Even though there wasn't a single classic truck in the Great 8 this year, that is the first time since 2002 that this has occurred. Luckily though, it is only a rare occurrence that a finely crafted truck doesn't make the "Eight." Nevertheless, just because a classic tuck was not in contention for the Ridler Award this doesn't mean that there wasn't a ton of nice trucks there. In fact, we came across a ton of cool custom pickups, panels, and restored classics. In addition to the fabulous show field filled with a variety of trucks done in various styles, there was the ever-popular Pinstriper's Jamboree and charity auction for Leader Dogs for the Blind. A few of the other attractions included a number of the industries leading parts vendors, a scale auto area, as well as an automotive fine arts gallery. So as one would imagine there was no shortage of things to see. The Detroit Autorama has been for a long time and continues to be a must attend for any gearhead. Although it tends to be an event that is filled with more street rods and customs than trucks, there is always a nice selection of trucks to see at the event. If you have never been to the Autorama this is definitely an event you should try to attend. So start making plans for next year to take part in one of the greatest shows in the country. It took Michigan native Dwayne... It took Michigan native Dwayne Fietzer 18 years to build this incredible drab green metallic 1955 Ford F-100 for himself. The homebuilt '55 features a Ford 302 under the hood, a set of cast five-spokes, and a number of unique touches by the owner. However, it was the beautiful curly birch bed floor with large inset F-100 emblem that had everyone talking. Pinstripers Jamboree
This year marked the fifth time that some of the countries best pinstripers converged at Cobo Hall for the annual Pinstripers Jamboree and Charity Auction. The Pinstripers Jamboree is an area of the event where any pinstriper can come and stripe panels over the three-day event. The best part about the jamboree is that throughout the event the panels that the pinstripers create are auctioned off with 100 percent of the proceeds to benefit the Leader Dogs for the Blind program. Leader Dogs is a Michigan-based nonprofit organiztion whose focus is providing well-trained dog guides for individuals who are visually impaired, at least 16 years of age, and physically/mentally capable to care for and use the dog in the manner intended. All pinstripers are welcome to participate in the jamboree and those who participate are provided with two weekend passes, panels to paint, and all the paint they need for striping. The Pinstripers Jamboree and Charity Auction is a great addition to the event and we hope it continues to be a part of the Autorama for years to come.  How's this for different?...  How's this for different? This unique '36 Ford pickup owned by Paul Knowlson is an Australian Ute, a half car, half pickup of sorts. The radical creation was meticulously worked over by Gerald's Rod Shop in New Paris, Indiana, with almost every panel being modified in some way. A few modifications include a chopped top, modified bed, and a full custom dash.  Arguably one of the best-designed...  Arguably one of the best-designed early Ford pickups has to be the '40 Ford. It is real easy to see why when you lay your eyes on Doug and Vicky Smith's flawless red example. Their '40 used to belong to Doug's dad and since Doug took the truck over it has been completely rebuilt from the ground up by Outta Site Hot Rods.  It would be very hard for...  It would be very hard for anyone to miss this '37 Ford Wild Rod pickup at a large show like Detroit, thanks to its electric lime green paint paired with silver metallic. Built by Rose Works and dubbed the F-37, this wild pickup features water jetted hood trim, custom bumperettes, and a radical engine compartment.  One can never go wrong with...  One can never go wrong with deep black paint. Not only does it give this '55 GMC a sinister look, it makes the body and bed look like a piece of glass. Owner/builder Blair Taylor set the slick hauler up on a Heidt's Mustang II frontend matched with a Ford 9-inch in the rear, which not only provides a smooth ride, but gives a stable platform for the Summit Racing 350ci motor strapped to it.  Although a '94 Chevy S-10...  Although a '94 Chevy S-10 may not be considered a classic truck yet, that didn't stop Steve Grybel from giving his '94 a classic look. In order to achieve the look, Grybel dropped his S-10 over a set of wide whites and steelies, accented it with a nice amount of pinstriping, and gave the interior some '50's flavor to create a classic look on a '90's mini truck.  Amongst some of the wild creations...  Amongst some of the wild creations in the Extreme area of the show downstairs, we came across Kirk Hanning's killer '34 Ford pickup. His hot rod hauler had plenty of attitude thanks to an ultra-low stance and a 365ci Caddy motor between the rails, but the 6 1/2" channel and 4" top chop made this satin copper '34 a pure hot rod.  It's not that often you see...  It's not that often you see a Dodge A-100, but you almost never see a Fargo A-100. Sold only in Canada through Plymouth dealers, Fargo's are the lesser-known Mopar workhorse of the north. This incredible '70 model is owned by Mike Krieger of Ontario and with the Cragar wheels and tach on the dash, it's easy to see that this is one truck that hauls ass.  The Barris built Ala Kart...  The Barris built Ala Kart was on display along with a few other Barris creations. Easily one of the most significant hot rod trucks of all time, the Ala Kart was the winner of the 1958 and 59 AMBR Award. Built from a '29 Ford roadster pickup, the historic hauler was recently restored by Roy Brizio Hot Rods for John Mumford to exactly the way it was in the late '50's.  Silver and blue are always...  Silver and blue are always a great choice for a two-tone, especially when they are painted on a slammed International pickup. If you need proof just look at how perfect it looks on Shawn Pengilly's ultra-smooth '49. Built by Pro Comp Custom, the '49 features custom rear fenders, a 347 Stroker motor outfitted with a Weiand supercharger, and a big set of meats in the rear.  This '38 Dodge Brothers Humpback...  This '38 Dodge Brothers Humpback Panel truck is not only unique, but also rare with only a few still in existence today. This particular one was originally used as a dairy delivery truck when new. Ron and Carol Crist purchased the truck in 1974 and over the years have transformed it into a 318 Chrysler powered delivery with hot rod appeal.  Grabbing plenty of attention...  Grabbing plenty of attention from onlookers inside Cobo Hall was this 1954 GMC 1/2-ton longbed owned by Tom and Linda DeMarco. The DeMarco's '54 has a number of unique touches like the use of a '56 Chevy passenger car bumper up front and a '55 Chevy bumper in the rear. Mixing unique touches with immaculate detailing and incredible finish work makes this an incredible GMC.  There is a lot to be said...  There is a lot to be said about the success of simplicity used on this pearl green '54 Chevy 150 owned by Brenda and Poncho Mateo. Just the right amount of trim was removed for a cleaner look and an altitude adjustment was given over a set of polished billet hoops for a fantastic look, which proves you don't have to modify everything to have a great looking pickup.  Wanna race? Normally one wouldn't...  Wanna race? Normally one wouldn't be very intimidated by a truck in a drag race unless this '52 Chevy was what pulled up next to you.  Along with the killer 1,000hp...  Along with the killer 1,000hp Arias 540ci big-block Chevy Hemi, this '52 has a menacing look thanks to a 4-inch chop and windshield with 12-degrees of rake. Anyway you cut it, Dave and Becky Harrington own one badass Chevy pickup.  It's hard to go wrong with...  It's hard to go wrong with a '57 Chevy pickup, especially when you paint it dark silver metallic, add the right amount of chrome trim, and set it on polished Foose wheels. That's what Kim and Brent Shacklett did to their '57 along with putting a healthy 454-inch motor under the hood for lots of Bow Tie power.  Typically pickups are thought...  Typically pickups are thought of as ruff and tuff workhorses, but in the case of Gene and Earlene Elper's '46 Chevy truck we see an elegant work of art.  A Great 8 finalist last year,...  A Great 8 finalist last year, their custom designed, hand-fabricated all-metal pickup by LaVine Restorations is a shining example of creativity and craftsmanship at its finest.  In addition to the Ala Kart...  In addition to the Ala Kart being on display, Victor Collins of Rahway, New Jersey, brought out another Barris built pickup the Kopper Kart. One of the more outlandish creations from Barris, this heavily customized '55 Chevy pickup dawning tons of copper trim and wild front-end design. One thing is for sure, this is one truck that isn't short on character.  If you were looking for a...  If you were looking for a full-on '60's style custom performed on a truck, you need to look no further than Harry Lazechko's '66 Ford F-100. Sporting a molded grill opening, a '64 Ford Galaxie grille, a 4 -inch chop, and '62 Fairlane fins all dressed in amazing technicolor made this radical F-100 a sight to see.  The Leader Dogs organization...  The Leader Dogs organization brought a few of their highly trained dogs to the event to show everyone just what they were raising money for. People were allowed to pet the dogs and visit with the trainers.  A large number of pinstripers...  A large number of pinstripers from all over the country were lined up at table after table striping panels for the auction.  All the pinstripers had to...  All the pinstripers had to do was show up and all the paint and panels needed for striping were provided by the event promoters.  Once the stripers had finished...  Once the stripers had finished creating panels and one-of-a-kind pieces for the auction, they were laid on the table for everyone to view before they were auctioned off.  At scheduled times, the organizers...  At scheduled times, the organizers would auction off the pieces with all of the proceeds going to the Leader Dogs for the Blind. The prices of the panels ranged anywhere from $30 to a couple of hundred bucks. There was literally something for everybody.
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The Thinker??? - Haul Monitor
Ryan talks about the friendly badgering that goes on around the shop and overcoming obstacles that seemly pop up out of nowhere during a project....
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