Photo Gallery! 2026 Detroit Autorama Heats up the Motor City
The Detroit Autorama wrapped up their 73rd event over the weekend, right downtown along the Detroit River and just north of Windsor, Canada. Surprisingly, Friday saw blue skies and spring temperatures, but by Sunday morning there was a bit of snow on the ground with cold temps! Inside however, it was nothing but hot rodding good times filling the Huntington Place Center (many locals still call it Cobo Center) with hundreds of muscle cars, street rods, customs and hot rods.
The Detroit Autorama brings in classic cars and trucks from across the country and being right in the heart of the Motor City, you always get to see a wide range of classic cars with a mix of modern muscle. We saw several amazing restored Pontiac GTOs, Buicks, Oldsmobiles and quite a few Mopar classics like they were rolling our of the dealer and heading towards Woodward or Gratiot. Loads of high powered street machines and drag cars were on hand just waiting for their chance to get back on the strip alongside other customs and street rods.
The most prestigious award presented during the Autorama is the Don Ridler Memorial Award. This coveted award, presented since 1964, is given to a vehicle that “emphasizes creativity, engineering, and quality workmanship”. This year the Ridler award went to Rex Sattersfield with his ’56 Chevy convertible known as the Elegant Lady.
If vintage hot rods, cool automobilia, and rockabilly tunes, the Autorama Extreme part of the show takes place in the basement and is packed with traditional rods, customs, live music, mini-bikes and more cool things to soak in…and maybe even a PBR or Strohs.
Even at 73, the Detroit Autorama delivered the good times for everyone, especially for the midwest hot rodders that are ready to get behind the wheel of their hot rods along with a taste of Motor City hospitality for those that made it to the show from more fair-weather states.
We’re looking forward to the 74th – here’s what you missed!
