The 74th Sacramento Autorama Will Feature Hot Rods, Customs & Rare Builds
One of Sacramento’s biggest car shows provides entertainment for the whole family on May 2-4…
Hundreds of hot rods, custom vehicles, muscle cars, lowriders, trucks and motorcycles will fill the Cal Expo buildings and grounds at the 74th annual Sacramento Autorama on May 2-4. The event will feature some of the nation’s top custom cars and trucks, celebrity appearances, vendors, fair food and more.
Participants from around the country will compete for awards, including the Custom D’Elegance, West Coast Challenge Car Show Series Grand Champion and World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider awards.
Won by Cliff Mattis for his 1957 Chevrolet Convertible last year, the Custom D’Elegance award recognizes the best chopped, channeled or sectioned vehicle from 1935 to 1948 that embodies the spirit of classic customization. The winner will receive a $5,000 prize sponsored by ARP Fasteners.
The West Coast Challenge Car Show Series, sponsored by ARP Fasteners, will also crown its Grand Champion from among 10 vehicles that have entered at least four out of five chosen car shows throughout California, Oregon and Washington. The prizes for Best of the West include $12,500 for the grand champion, $6,500 for the first runner-up and $3,500 for the second runner-up, in addition to extra gifts and prizes.
This year’s show will also feature the second annual World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider award, which honors the most exceptional lowrider entry. The winner will receive a $5,000 prize courtesy of ARP Fasteners. Last year’s award went to Carlos Martinez for his 1964 Chevrolet Impala convertible.
Show entrants will also vie for the “Big B Awards,” which include the Dick Bertolucci Automotive Excellence Award, Candy Apple Joe Bailon Memorial Award, Sam Barris Memorial Award and World’s Most Beautiful Custom, H.A. Bagdasarian Memorial Award.
Events for the Entire Family
Locals are encouraged to show off their classic rides at the Autorama Drive-In throughout the weekend. More than 400 cars are expected to participate in the Drive-In, which is open to all makes and models of cars and trucks (no motorcycles permitted).
“The car scene in Northern California has always been filled with passion and originality, and we can’t wait to see it come to life at the Sacramento Autorama,” said John Buck, owner of Rod Shows. “Every year, something always stops people in their tracks, and we’re all counting down the days to see what rolls into the show this year.”
The Pinstriper Charity Auction brings together some of the best pinstripers in the country who create art to be auctioned off for charity every day. For a small donation, attendees can bring any item to receive a personalized pinstriping design while supporting a great cause. Every dollar collected goes directly to UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Known as the “Kustom Capital of the World,” the Sacramento Autorama began in 1950 when Harold “Baggy” Bagdasarian gathered local car club members to amicably debate the merits of their customized vehicles. Today’s show is a family-friendly event with a variety of vendors, food and entertainment.
