We thought it would be interesting to put together a photo gallery of 2015 Detroit Autorama show cars. These are some of the popular rods and customs that did not make the Great 8 but may have just missed the cut this time. These cars were drawing lots of attention from show-goers.
Fred Warren (left with microphone) of Macedonia, Ohio was being interviewed by local media when we came across him on Friday. His 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe might have made it into the Great 8 this year but was disqualified from Ridler Award competition because he had shown it at the Grand National Roadster Show. His coupe was entered in the Altered Street Coupe 1932 class. Fred is a former Ridler Award winner. Click each thumbnail to see a larger high resolution photo.
Maureen and Jerry Chandler of Livonia, Michigan brought their ’71 Cuda to compete in the Semi Hardtop class at 2015 Detroit Autorama. The motor is a 440 Mopar big block bored out to 496 ci. Jerry said he did the body modifications, chassis and engine himself. It has a 727 Torqueflite with manual shift. Steve Holcomb at Pro Auto Custom Interiors did the leather interior.
An exotic custom replica of a 1937 Delahaye was set up in a display by Terry Cook, former Hot Rod magazine editor. Cook is now designing and marketing his own line of exotic classic replicas. This one he calls the Budnaughty. It uses design from the Delahaye as the pontoon fenders and the Auburn speedster. Chip Foose helped Cook with the design. Click the thumbnails to view larger high resolution photos.
Brent and Dina Groh brought their 1972 Mustang they call “Stilleto” from across the river in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada to show it here in Detroit. It is an interesting and ambitious treatment of a Mustang which was cagtegorized as being in the Street Touring ’70-Current class.
The 1932 Ford Roadster nicknamed “The Goodwin Speedster” was brought to the 2015 Detroit Autorama by Debra and Ronnie Goodwin of Smithville, Tennessee. It competed in the Altered Street Roadster – Pre 1935 category. It was built by Street Rods by Michael. It incorporates a Brookville steel body with a chassis done by the builder. It has a Pete & Jakes suspension, Ford 9″ rear and chrome by Advance Plating.
Also in the Altered Street Roadster – Pre 1935 category, an elegant 1933 Ford Roadster with a very rich looking interior was shown by Gil LeBlanc of New Brunswick, Canada. Click on any photo to see a larger version in high resolution.
A gorgeous 1956 Chevy Custom Convertible was display by John Provenzano of Wichita, Kansas. John’s car was built by Baur Restorations and competed in the Custom Convertible class. Beautiful chrome and brightwork by San Joaguin Plating, interior by Downey Upholstery. It includes a backup camera and push button shift. Those are Budnick wheels.
This cool 1956 Chevy Shorty Convertible called the “Bambino” started life as a ’56 4-Door Sedan. But now it has had 31 inches removed from the body. Doors were sectioned to fit. It has a Fatman front subframe. It is owned by Al Michol of Waterford, Michigan. Talk about a car that turns heads! It was entered in the Radical Custom Convertible class.
The quarters on this 1957 Corvette were widened 2 inches to fit the massive 345-45-18 tires on this one-off custom owned by Mark Eaton of Wichita, Kansas. It was entered in the Pro Touring 1955-Current category at the 2015 Detroit Autorama. It was also built by Bauer Restorations. In fact the body mods and detail on this car were extensive. It has an LS7 motor built by K-Tech Engineering to produce 600 horsepower.
Yes, there were muscle cars on display at Autorama too. Here is a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible with the W-30 option package. It was shown by owner James Kytra of Bruce Township, Michigan. It was entered in the Restored Convertible class. It is historically significant, being one of only 96 factory W-30 convertibles produced.
This 2005 Saturn Ion Redline edition has been so completely modified, it may have the most electronic devices of any car at the show. There were full size video screens in the dash and in the outside hood. It is owned by Lisa and Pablo Cruz of Amherst, New Jersey. It was the most impressive car in the Full Tuner category. It had been featured in Performance Audio & Sound magazine.
Larry….it was nice to meet you at the show….your website and show coverage are fantastic !!!!