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The 60th Annual Sacramento Autorama at the Cal Expo was three-days' worth of mind-boggling custom vehicles. Hotrodhotline was on the scene to check it all out. If you like chopped Roadsters, they were there, if you like hot rods, they were there, if you wanted to hear the latest in top-of-the-line audio, it was there…every facet of the custom car world was well-represented. And it didn't stop there - motorcycles, pickups, and even a handful of boats were on display – all polished to a high gleam. This diversity of customs held some serious appeal to the public at large as they turned out en masse Saturday to check out the thirteen buildings filled with vehicles on display.
Saturday afternoon, the crew from Ewell, Bell, Stecker and Olson fired up their AA/FD top fuel dragster and loosened many spectators' fillings as flames periodically blasted out of the pipes. The enthusiastic revving of the engine had people hotfooting it from the entry gates to catch a glimpse of this powerful engine in all its eardrum blasting glory before it was shut down.
This year, the show promoters brought back the "Custom D'Elegance" award last seen in the 1970's. Cars vying for this top honor have to be between the years of 1936 and 1964 and must be chopped, channeled or sectioned. We got to talk to Bob and Nancy Smith Friday afternoon as their 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop display drew us like a magnet on our initial walkthrough of the show's buildings. We like to walk around a show to get a feel for the layout, where cars are, etc. before getting down to the serious business of photographing it all. This car's deep, rich red stood out on the floor as the shade is unique. Bob and Nancy's warmth and enthusiasm for the custom car world were apparent during our conversation and we were happy to get even more pictures Saturday morning. It really wasn't surprising that they took top honors with the Custom D'Elegance award along with outstanding display as this car is a fine example of the award's definition.
By the same token, James Hetfield's 1936 Auburn Roadster winning the King of Kustoms award was perfectly fitting, too. Cars that win this award must meet a rigorous list of requirements including the use of color, design of the paint as well as the look of the interior although the award is selected with the vehicle closed up so it best actuates the vehicles bodylines. The Auburn's lines are exquisite – seemingly fluid even when at rest – and the black and root beer paint added to this pleasing silhouette. This fine custom was also the recipient of the Manuel Arteche Memorial award.
Another vehicle that we found ourselves circling several times and talking with John Nissen and Tom Stephens about on Friday afternoon was a spectacular orange 1948 Ford F1 Pick-Up. This meticulously designed and executed pick-up shone from every side with hard work, talent and class apparent in every detail. It definitely was deserving of the Sam Barris Memorial Award, Sweepstakes Award Truck, and Dick Bertolucci Automotive Excellence Award that it received.
Spectator traffic through Buildings A & B was the most congested as people stopped to take in all the vehicles displayed, like the Smith's Bel Air, Stephens' Ford Pick-up and Hetfield's Auburn Roadster, from every multi-faceted angle as these vehicles are absolutely stunning.
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