The 72nd Annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama, presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, which pulls into Huntington Place this weekend (Feb. 28 to March 2), will include the Barbie Pink Cadillac Convertible.
Known as America’s Greatest Hot Rod Show, more than 800 chopped, channeled, dumped, and decked hot rods and custom cars will descend on Huntington Place, with builders from across the country competing for the highest honor in hot rodding, The Ridler Award
The Barbie Cadillac, as seen at Disney’s Epcot Center in Orlando, makes its debut at Autorama, while the giant Megamorph Giant Transformer Robot Ca will take up the high ceiling in the atrium at Huntington Place.
Other attractions will include AZN and Farmtruck, stars of “Street Outlaws,” Danny Koker and Kevin Mack of “Counting Cars,” and the Megamorph Giant Transformer Robot Car as well as Detroit Lions Linebacker Alex Anzalone (appearing March 2, 1-4 p.m.) and Team 3D, and Brother Ray and De Von, the WWE Hall of Fame World Champions.
“There will be so much going on for the whole family at this year’s Detroit Autorama,” says Peter Toundas, president and owner of Championship Auto Shows Inc. in Auburn Hills, producer of Autorama. “Barbie fans will be delighted to get their photo taken with the famous pink convertible, and Transformer movie fans will be in awe of the gigantic Mega Morph Transforming Robot Car.”
In turn, Farmtruck and AZN’s latest creation, named The Funny Farm, is a one-of-a-kind build that pushes the boundaries of automotive engineering. Featuring two opposing 1970 C 10 cabs seamlessly welded together, this machine is powered by twin Cadillac 500ci engines with independent fuel and ignition systems — each paired with a Suncoast FWD transmission.
Operating it requires two drivers facing opposite directions, each controlling independent steering, braking, and drive systems in perfect synchrony. The result? All-wheel-drive burnouts in every direction. With a flick of the steering wheel and enough real estate, The Funny Farm can crab walk, spin 360 degrees, and obliterate tires all at once.
Other automotive highlights of this year’s Autorama include the 30th Anniversary of The Cavalcade of Cars. Every year, Detroit Autorama hosts a hand selected collection of the finest customs cars from across the country.
They are selected and invited by legendary custom builder Chuck Miller, creator of the famous Zingers and The Red Baron. This year, the nationally known Michigan builder will double the number of invited customs to 30 in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Cavalcade of Customs.
The Preservation Award Recipient is “The Road Chief,” a 1949 Pontiac Convertible owned by Mike Stowe of Boyne City. In 1949, Pontiac came out with a totally redesigned car.
It was lower, wider, and had improved styling. In 1997, Stowe was able to buy a 1949 Pontiac convertible out of California that never had any rust. He proceeded to do a complete restoration. Since it was unveiled in 1999, “ The Road Chief” was named one of Rod & Customs 100 best cars for 1999 and in 2000 was named one of the top ten cars in America.
“It’s extremely gratifying that Detroit Autorama is the home of America’s most important hot rod award,” says 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 typically an 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. The cars vie for awards and prizes in the Summit Racing Equipment Show Car Series.
The first Detroit Autorama took place in 1953 at the University of Detroit Field House as a fundraiser for Michigan Hot Rod Association’s efforts to build the Motor City Dragway.
Over the years it moved to the Michigan State Fairgrounds and the Detroit Artillery Armory before coming to Huntington Place (formerly Cobo Center).
In addition, one of the most popular additions to Autorama is Autorama Extreme covering the entire 100,000 square feet of Huntington Place’s lower level. It will feature more than 200 traditional rods, customs, and bobber bikes inspired by the 1950s.
On the main floor, Autorama will include The Motor City Mavens 2025 Auto Art Panel Jam and Charity Auction benefitting Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Returning to this year’s show is the Autorama Student Career Day, introduced 19 years ago and presented by Summit Racing Equipment and the International Show Car Association (ISCA). This year, more than 3,000 middle school, high school, and trade school automotive students from nearly 50 Michigan schools will converge on Autorama on Friday for morning presentations by hot rod builders and industry leaders to learn about career opportunities.
After hearing from industry leaders, students will have the opportunity to visit the show and view the hot rods and customs.
The show hours are Feb. 28, noon to 10 p.m.; March 1, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and March 2, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Gate tickets are $28 for adults, $20 for children 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under.
Detroit Autorama is produced by Championship Auto Shows, hosted by the Michigan Hot Rod Association, sponsored by Meguiar’s, and presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts.
For more information and discount ticket information, visit here or call 248-373-1700.
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