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Autorama Extreme 1953 - 2011 Detroit AutoramaStepping back in time From the July, 2011 issue of Street Rodder By Chuck Vranas
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One of the many cool portions of the Detroit Autorama is the hidden gem located in the basement of Cobo Hall known as Autorama Extreme 1953. It’s a place where traditional hot rodding lives in a world unaffected by time. Taking the long escalator ride down to the basement, you get treated to visual overload looking through a wall of glass welcoming you to row upon row of classic hop-ups and customs as far as you can see. Entering through the main doors, it’s easy to sense a change in the vibe between the floors since culture rules this region. You won’t find lush displays or flashing lights as you make your way across the floor. However, you will find stoke designs displaying themselves on weathered concrete floors with minimal stanchions so as not to detract from their vintage feel. The team at Autorama decided years ago to transform the 100,000-square-foot room into a place traditional car owners could call their own, complete with enough area to support well over 200 of the hottest vehicles around. With the tuners now gone from the once-shared floor space, your eyes were treated to a cultural extravaganza where hammered coupes mix it up with slammed sleds, wicked roadsters, devilish bobbers, and choppers. You could have easily spent hours meeting up with old friends and making new ones while strolling through an expanded artist’s alley where 19 artists, including Keith Weesner, Ed Tillrock, Josh Welton, and Chad Lampert, were showcasing their work. Add in a bevy of kustom kulture vendors, vintage parts for sale, and a classy pin-up model competition and you have the makings for a memorable visit. Searing sets by the Swingin’ Demons and Twistin’ Tarantulas who were determined to shake the tiles from the ceiling, and an award ceremony featuring handmade trophies handed out by some of the industry’s top names recognizing many amazing talents makes this weekend party tough to beat. All we know is this is one facet of the show that keeps getting better and better every year.  Brothers Custom Automotive...  Brothers Custom Automotive turns out mind-blowing hop-ups with perfect proportions, like this dynamic ’31 Ford coupe owned by Bill Miller.  There’s nothing like showing...  There’s nothing like showing your barn find still in the barn. Paul Beck’s ’33 Ford drop-top filled with a 59AB Flathead V-8 was as close to perfection as you could get.  Bob Gerring restyled his ’40...  Bob Gerring restyled his ’40 Ford coupe by chopping the top, converting it into a three-window, stretching the doors, and widening the fenders, making this a neat, vibrant red coupe.  Hammered right, drenched in...  Hammered right, drenched in black, and loaded with a ’56 Chrysler 354ci Hemi topped with a Cragar four-pot, Rob Paul’s ’30 Ford coupe is pure hot rod.  Straight from the book of...  Straight from the book of gow, Jake Moomey’s ’34 Ford hauler had it all from a six-pot urged Flatty to cowl steering, 6-inch chop, deep channel, bobbed bed, and stoke scallops.  It’s not every day you see...  It’s not every day you see a ’49 Chrysler Windsor like Troy’s coated in polished purple suede with a flaked roof slammed to the ground riding on wide whites.  There were numerous effervescent...  There were numerous effervescent mild customs in the basement, including Dave Gray’s ’54 Ford Victoria coated in plenty of Pagan Gold icing.  Completed in 1958 by Manuel...  Completed in 1958 by Manuel and Martin Micallef, the “Valletta” features a hand-formed body, Chrysler 331ci Spitfire V-8, and modified ’53 Studebaker chassis. It is currently under restoration by Marty Micallef Jr.  Fresh from the Gas Axe Garage,...  Fresh from the Gas Axe Garage, Dorr Johnson’s whacked ’30 Ford coupe caught our eye with its tasty gold-tone accents, two-pot fed 283ci Chevy, and classic traditional details.  This pre-war-built ’28 Ford...  This pre-war-built ’28 Ford hop-up was originally raced on the dry lakes with a Cragar-equipped four-banger by J. Thompson and is currently owned by Guy Zaninovich.  Jerald Lamphier’s ’28 Ford...  Jerald Lamphier’s ’28 Ford showcased a rarely seen ’39 Lincoln V-12 capped with Ardun finned heads breathing through a three-pot intake.  With a perfect stance, glowing...  With a perfect stance, glowing ruby polished suede, and slick nerf bars, John Peters’ Bad Donkee Hot Rods–built ’37 Ford coupe was just plain wicked.  Steve Hough’s Deuce had all...  Steve Hough’s Deuce had all the right traditional elements, including a ’52 Flathead with Offy heads, split bones, chopped windshield, and deep blue vibe.  Packed with attitude, Jerry...  Packed with attitude, Jerry Walkers’ ’29 Ford roadster was channeled hard, nailed to the asphalt, and spitting fire through straight pipes.  The basement always manages...  The basement always manages to pull in rarely seen hot rods, like this custom-bodied ’39 Ford built by Ray and Herb Bender in 1949 that is now owned by Jerry Hubbard.  Banger-powered and riding...  Banger-powered and riding on narrow skins, Steve Harman’s ’31 Ford roadster was a flashback to vintage speed trials at El Mirage.  Starting with a Deuce four-door...  Starting with a Deuce four-door sedan, Drew Strunk crafted this heavily chopped and channeled five-window coupe packed with a ’64 Buick 401ci Nailhead V-8.  Nothing says fun like a ’48...  Nothing says fun like a ’48 Studebaker bus floating on red steelies with wide whites. We bet John and Cathy Kwapich have a blast cruising in this one!  Originally built in 1958,...  Originally built in 1958, Leonard Arft’s dragster was ready for the staging lanes with a Hilborn-injected small-block awaiting its call.  With perfect ’60s-era flavor,...  With perfect ’60s-era flavor, Chris Herod’s ’60 Ford Starliner had “the look,” thanks to a lowered stance, polished suede paint, Bellflower tips, and a blanket interior.
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