2026 Detroit Autorama Celebrates 73 Great Years in Style

For 73 years the best of the best turns their attention to the city of Detroit, Michigan for the annual running of the Detroit Autorama. For inside the walls of Huntington Place/Cobo Convention Center, some of the best hot rods, customs, muscle cars are all on display. Owners and builders work years and years to bring their creations to take part in this event.

The 2026 Don Ridler award went to this stunning Chevy owned by Rex and Rhonda Satterfield out of Tennessee

Each and every year the one award that everyone wants to win and that is the Don Ridler Award which is presented by Meguiars. Since 1964 when the award was first presented it has become the most prestigious award in the Custom Car World often referred as the Nobel Prize of Hot Rodding. With ten grand on the line and Don Ridler trophy, folks spend years building cars to take home the top prize.

This year the award went to the 1956 Chevrolet Convertible owned by Rex and Rhonda Satterfield of Russellville, Tennessee. This stunning creation known as the. “Elegant Lady” was selected as the winner this year over a great field of customs which ranged from a pair of Cadillacs, Ford Sunnier, Chevy Corvette, C-10 Chevy Truck as well as 1953 Studebaker Champion Wagon.

While the Ridler award takes center stage there is so much more that makes up the Detroit Autorama the show it is. This year the Red Baron and the wild Mummy Machine returned to take their place on the floor of the 2026 Autorama for the first time in many years.  The Red Baron is the special 50th Anniversary created and built by Chuck Miller who built the very first Red Baron.

The Mummy Machine now restored by John Sbrigato of TV Show Car fame. Sbrigato put this creation back together from the parts that were left over from the original car built back in the day. All that was left from the original Mummy was the head, hands and driver’s compartment. Sbrigato who also owns the Red Baron as well spent a great deal of time and hard work resulted in this stunning saved piece of history.

Both of these cars drew the attention of all of the fans that attended the event which no doubt brought them back to days when these cars graced the custom car shows. Two gentlemen that played a big part in the early days of Custom Car Shows history were on hand talking about those days. Bob Larivee Sr. who got the whole custom car show scene started way back when had a number of his books on sale for fans to pick up. Larivee now just in his 90’s can tell so many stories about his days putting on all of the shows.

Chuck Miller who built a number of cars for the Custom Car Shows back then including the Red Baron spent time talking about many of his creations from those fun times. Miller still builds cars these days is always working on something as well as helping out fellow custom car fans with whatever they need. Miller also puts together a special display called The Cavalcade of Customs each and every year for the Detroit Autorama. For it is inside of this display Miller puts together a new selection of customs for fans to check out and enjoy.

One of the unique features about the Detroit Autorama is there are two floors filled with all sorts of great cars. While the upstairs contains rows and rows of cars in all shapes and styles. In addition you can check out all the great artwork that is auctioned off at The Motor City Auto Art Mavens Panel Jam.

This 1941 Buick Model 41 survived from the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Owned by 2nd Lt. Gordon H Sterling Jr. who drove it to Wheeler Field on that famed day. Gordon took off in his fighter to engage in a dog fight shooting down two Japanese planes only to be killed on that fateful day

Jim and Tracy Spears picked up a number of awards at the 2026 Detroit Autorama. Best Gasser and best paint for their Cherry Bomb Gasser and a second place trophy for their 1955 Chevy.

Each and every year great artists from all over the world come together to produce artwork that are auctioned off with all the money raised donated to Leader Dogs For the Blind this year over forty four thousand dollars was raised for this great cause.  However, if you want to take a true walk on the wild side all you need to do is take a ride on the escalator downstairs. Once you get off the escalator you find yourself in the world of Autorama Extreme.

Another crazy creation from the SICK racing events is this one owned by Zachery Blausey called Twisted T sorry but the giant flames are only for outside events.

Robert Fryz is a big fan of Linda Vaughn so he has this great display along side his 1953 Mercury called Glass Slipper

Michael Heaton runs his crazy 1961 Ford F-100 truck called Cluster Truck in the many SICK racing events.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the team, featuring drivers Tom and Jim Tignanelli, competed with vehicles such as the “UFO” altered wheelbase Plymouth and the “UFO II” Dodge Challenger funny car.

Later the brothers hooked up with Chrysler Corporation to field one of the Hurst 1968 Hemi Cudas that was successful at the midwestern tracks the brothers raced at. The brothers continue to focus on preserving Mopar heritage and mentoring young mechanics

For here in what is known as The Basement fans can find the wilder side of customs and hot rods. In addition to all the crazy cars there are vendors, music, are all part of this yearly get together.

Dennis “Lil Daddy” Roth spent time with all of his fans telling stories about his famed dad Ed “Big Daddy” Roth.

Bob Larivee Sr. signs the original Mummy Machine which was restored by John Sbrigato with the New York Yankees hat and fellow Dead Mans Curve Car Club member Mario Colasuonno looks on.

It was so great to see the late great Lizzy Musi honored in a piece of artwork that was auctioned off by the Motor City Auto Art Mavens to be donated to Leader Dogs of the Blind.

So, with another Detroit Autorama all the folks at Championship Auto Shows are looking forward to two years down the road when Detroit Autorama will celebrate 75 years of this very special get together with no doubt a real mind blowing event. So, start to make your plans to be in Detroit in 2028 for the 75th Detroit Autorama but in the meantime make sure you are on hand next year for the 74th Detroit Autorama there are some very special plans and display in the works for this running as well. Make your way to Huntington Place/Cobo Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan to check out all the great cars and cool people that make up Autorama.

McCartney’s Photo Extra