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Autorama Extreme 1953Through the looking glass From the July, 2012 issue of Street Rodder By Chuck Vranas
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Mike Boerema’s ’27 Ford T was downright killer with its 9-inch chop, 3-inch channel, and 4-1/2-inch Z’d frame. A 278ci Flathead and silver flake gloss completes the look. Fresh from Gas Axe Garage,... Fresh from Gas Axe Garage, Chad Folkema’s ’31 Ford coupe was chopped 4-1/2 inches, bathed in green vibe, fed by a ’46 Lincoln V-12, and rolling on ’35 Ford wires. The celebration of the 60th Detroit Autorama brought with it an unparalleled level of excitement that filled the massive confines of Cobo Hall throughout the weekend. If you wanted to step back in time to catch a glimpse of how it might have looked when everything first came to be, you merely had to take a long escalator ride down to the basement where Autorama Extreme 1953 unfolded before your very eyes as you gazed through a wall of glass into the exhibition hall. Once inside, it was clear that this room wasn’t the polished and glamorous main floor with its massive displays and candy-colored dream rides. It was one with weathered concrete floors where you could feel the spirits of hot rodding’s past come alive when a grouping of hot rods and customs came together to grace the show floor for the very first time in Detroit. Welcome to the basement, where time stands still in a world unaffected by the present day. Bill Miller’s Brothers Customs... Bill Miller’s Brothers Customs Automotive–built ’31 Ford coupe was dressed to impress with an immaculate tuxedo black body, perfect chop, and fire-breathing Flathead power. Walking the 100,000-square foot room, well over 200 bitchin’ cars and motorcycles were displayed in simple rows in a wide-open format with minimal display barriers to allow visitors to absorb their design elements without distraction. It’s a place where culture and tradition ruled with a vibe that was intoxicating enough to make you actually feel as if you were indeed transported back to 1953. Imagine row upon row of slick hop-ups with hammered lids mixing it up with devilish highboy roadsters, slammed sleds, bobbers, and choppers while a steady beat of thundering nitro-fueled live music filled the air from the Twistin’ Tarantula’s, Swingin’ Demons, and Orbit Suns, and you’re just catching the tip of the iceberg. With countless clubs in attendance showing their cars, there were also many notable builders showcasing some of their freshest creations, including cars from the Gas Axe Garage, Brothers Custom Automotive, JoKerr Fabrication, Allstar Hot Rods, Voodoo Larry Kustoms, and Bad Donkee Hot Rods, to name but a few. It was easy to spend hours strolling the floor as you caught up with old friends, made new ones, and had a chance to check out an endless array of cool swag for sale, meet up with well-known artists who were selling their wares, like Jeff Norwell, Keith Weesner, Max Grundy, Ed Tillrock, and Josh Shaw (to name but a few!), dig the classic pin-up model competition, and even get an old-school haircut. Saturday evening there was even a special award ceremony featuring an incredible array of handmade trophies awarded by many of the industry’s leading names to recognize the amazing creativity gracing the show floor. This is definitely one facet of the event that keeps getting better and better with each passing year.  In two short months, Derrick...  In two short months, Derrick Pesko brought this original late-’50s custom ’56 Ford pickup back to life with a fresh drivetrain, updated suspension, and vibrant white pearl interior.  Originally built in 1947 at...  Originally built in 1947 at the Olive Hill Garage, Leslie Dreist’s ’39 Ford custom ran El Mirage in 1950 at 120.35 mph with a full-race Earl Evans–built ’42 Merc Flathead.  Traditional custom’s like...  Traditional custom’s like Art Misuraca ’41 Ford convertible are timeless. Classic updates include a 3-1/2-inch chop, louvered hood, frenched headlights, and black cherry icing.  As hard-core as they get,...  As hard-core as they get, Jim Federspiel’s ’26 Ford modified was channeled deep over a Z’d frame, treated to cowl steering, and filled with a two-pot capped ’49 Merc Flathead.  As evil as they come, Junebug...  As evil as they come, Junebug Stade’s ’29 Ford roadster was packed with “Ohio George” Montgomery’s ’61 NHRA winning small-block Chevy huffed, injected, and ready for action.  Six twos feed the Buick Nailhead...  Six twos feed the Buick Nailhead in Kevin Gill’s ’30 Ford. The roadster, out of Ooltewah, TN, is finished in black satin paint and cream yellow pinstripe—very nice!  Randy Rosera’s effervescent...  Randy Rosera’s effervescent ’55 Chevy knocked us over with its removable hardtop, subtle custom touches, white pearl interior, and polished orange suede and white body.  Low slung and ready for action...  Low slung and ready for action at Bonneville, Wade Jennigs and Steve Sturim’s ’27 Ford roadster featured a modified ’32 Ford four-cylinder for power and plenty of vintage details.  Brothers Custom Automotive...  Brothers Custom Automotive wowed the crowds all weekend long with this ’49 Ford coupe featuring a fully polished and glistening steel body . . . simply mind blowing.  Looking like it’s almost ready...  Looking like it’s almost ready to blast across the dry lakes, Jerry Walker’s ’34 Chevy coupe was treated to a nasty chop, filled roof, low-slung headlights, and custom hood.  Voodoo Larry is known for...  Voodoo Larry is known for his impressive design and fabrication skills as evidenced by his ’31 Ford coupe known as “Voodoo Psychosis,” with its radical chop and channel, six-deuce fed small-block Chevy, and ’39 Dodge wheels.  STREET RODDER’s Editorial...  STREET RODDER’s Editorial Director Brian Brennan (left) presents Voodoo Larry with the Editor’s Choice award for his wildly modified Model A coupe.  One of the many neat features...  One of the many neat features of the basement show is the handmade custom trophies and special awards given out, like this old-time hot rod shop scene by Don Pilkenton of Don’s Hot Rods.  If designed correctly, a car...  If designed correctly, a car with good proportions will live forever, which is why STREET RODDER’s Eric Geisert (right) was happy to give Jon Schuchart his pick award (made by artist Keith Coleman) for Schuchart’s ’26 Ford roadster. Besides sitting perfect, the dark brown roadster is outfitted with a ’55 Merc 292 V-8 topped with three 97s that Jon grabbed out of an old wagon.
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