Detroit Autorama '08
Special thanks to Jere Adametz for this article and pictures.
Tired of being cooped up all winter in the Northeast and craving a good car show, the boys from Allstar Hotrods made their way out to Detroit. With so many Hot Rods and Customs, it was easy to spend hours checking them out and talking to their owners. Not to mention the opportunity to meet Hot Rod and Custom builder Gene Winfield. Gene, a true inspiration to Hot Rodders at nearly 81 years young, still has a glint in his eye and is hard at work in his shop. Nominated Automotive Builder of the Year, Gene was present and ready to talk to anyone who was interested in his work. He had on display a wide array of his work from Movies and Television shows and when asked if he was tired after a long day at the show, Gene smiled and said, “I’m not the least bit tired!”
Among the many custom cars at the Autorama, we all paid particular attention to the one off cars competing for the Riddler Award! This is the first time these cars are shown anywhere! Each year many of the top Hot Rod and Custom Builders in the country come together for the Honor of competing for the Riddler Award. With a limit of eight finalists and strict rules, the competition is fierce. The focus of the Riddler Award is on creativity, engineering and workmanship. This year’s winner went to Ferrambo. A Ferrari Red 1960 Rambler Wagon with a mid-engine F360 Ferrari engine, custom suspension, drive-train and interior. No detail was left untouched!
While we all can appreciate Custom’s, what we were truly there to see were the Hot Rods! You could not go far without seeing a hopped up A, T, Chevrolet, or even Desoto! From Bubble tops to Barebones Rods to new traditional Hot Rods, there was something for everyone both young and old. There were even a few with history like Scary Larry’s Ed Roth painted Knott’s Berry Farm Sedan Delivery.
And who could forget the artwork! With over 200 artists, The Pinstriper’s Jamboree and their auction for charity was a crowd favorite. Famous artists worked side by side with young aspiring artists’ who all left us inspired to pick up a paint brush!
~Jere Adametz
Allstar Hotrods Berlin, CT
