One of the biggest and most renowned in-door car shows in the world opened its doors to the counter culture of the show car circuit. Rat rods, jalopies, real hot rods, whatever you want to call them, were invited to the turntable, mirrors, and lights convention called the Autorama in Detroit, Michigan.
As an owner and builder of these types of cars, it was an honor to share the floor with the best hot rod builders in the country. We were placed in the lower level (commonly referred to as the Basement), and to the promoters' surprise, no one could have been happier. These cars look at home in dark, remote places as most were built in back garages and alleys.
The turnout was good. The heads of the Autorama asked Race Ruedisueli and me if we could gather as close to 100 cars as possible. I said "sure" like it wasn't anything. Then I started burning up the phone. With the doors coming down around 11 p.m. on Thursday night, the last hot rod I was waiting on ripped into the basement. Indiana Dave and his wife, Amy, had driven around 300 miles in the snow and salt to be the 86th and final entry to this historic event. (According to an ISCA representative, there were 99 tuner cars in '05. In 2006, the Basement anticipates entertaining 225 cars between the two genres.)
The layout was nice and situated to grab your attention at the door. Just the ride down the elevator got graybeards' and old timers' hearts racing. Jimmy Shine of SO-CAL Speed Shop fame brought his truck and graced us with his presence by signing autographs, posing for pictures, and my favorite, putting kids in the driver seat of his bare-metal hauler.
On Saturday evening, the specialty awards were presented. Pro builders from all over the country handcrafted trophies to give to the owner of there favorite hot rod. Recognizing their efforts were luminaries from the industry far and wide: Editor Brennan from STREET RODDER had his pick, a very "right" looking Model A highboy coupe belonging to Brock Henderson; Chip Foose and Troy Trepanier both selected a very kool '46 Chevy pickup owned by Bob Stargis; and Bobby Alloway picked a straight-axle '55 that was from the streets of the '60s. Other industry types were there as well, such as George Barris, Chuck Miller, Courtney Hansen (of "Overhaulin'" fame), Bill Hines, the A-Brothers, Jimmy Shine, and Ol' Skol Rodz. Just seeing this many legends in one place getting along and trading stories was worth the trip. None of them were competitors downstairs; they were celebrating the movement.
When the time came to pack up, a beautiful thing was heard. Everyone fired there motors, blowers whined, open headers clacked and belched, clutches were engaged, and in a whirlwind of burnt gas fumes and dust, the cars poured out on to the cold, wet darkness of downtown Detroit. They were where they belonged once more-on the street, in the dark heading for those back alleys. With a little luck and a lot of work, these cars will be back next year. Please do your part by thanking any ISCA show worker and encouraging them to bring back the hot rods to Detroit.
(Editor's note: We contacted the folks at the ISCA and they tell us if you are interested in being part of the mix in the Basement at this year's 56th Annual Detroit Autorama Extreme, contact Bob Ashton at (248) 373-1700 or visit the Web site devoted to these Basement Dwellers at www.autoramaextreme.com. We took a look at the site and it has all the info you will need, including applications, questions answered, photos from last year's very successful get-together, and much, much more.)