36 Hours in Detroit

Two flights, a pair of bus rides and more than 1200 round-trip miles stood between me and the 2014 Detroit Autorama. The plan was simple: Snag a media credential, come into town Friday, cover the show Saturday and jet back to Missouri the following morning. At least that’s what I signed up for. One could argue that the violent burnouts, random weapon searches and spectacular roadside pyrotechnics were just added bonuses.

My request for a press pass was swiftly dismissed by the PR agency early in the week, and my shot at entering the show as a member of the media faded from the realm of possibility. After a few phone calls and a bit of artful persuasion, some good friends made damn sure I’d be walking through the Cobo doors with camera and notebook in tote.

Taking in the show as a spectator first, journalist second certainly added to the authenticity of the experience. This was my first visit to the Autorama since the spring of 2011, and there was no doubt that this show has grown a great deal in both size and content.

To put things simply, the Autorama is gigantic. Candies, pearls and metalflakes meld with miles of pinstriping across hundreds of beautifully formed panels. Gallons of chrome glint under the Cobo halogens like late summer stars, and every Goodyear and M&H Racemaster is scrubbed to perfection. Although the cars aren’t all traditional in any sense of word, there’s something undeniably timeless about stepping onto the show floor to take it all in. From new to old, simple to gaudy — it’s all there.

After spending the entire afternoon exploring the seemingly endless show, my co-conspirator (brother – J.U.) and I argued which car we’d take home.

The competition was tight, and a debate more fit for a courtroom than a Detroit back alley broke out. Sextuplet of Strombergs or original ‘Vette fuel injection? Early ‘70s panel paint or fading, barn-fresh patina? Teardrop shaped taildragger or quirky East Coaster? Weiand-equipped Flatty or nasty A/Gas smallblock Chevy? Kelsey-Hayes wires or Cragars? Like a pair of rowdy kids in the toy aisle, each option was better than the last.

This continued for the duration of the ride home — and to be perfectly honest — it was never resolved. So I’ll throw down my two cents now while I have the chance.

A great deal of time was spent admiring Craig and Marine Wood’s 1957 Corvette. With panel paint, fades and endless line, the salmon and orange ‘Vette was sensational.

Not far across the show floor sat Harley Tucker’s mysterious 1939 Chevy. The coupe was chopped five inches and converted into a three window. A 348 Chevy with a couple of Super 93 carbs was stowed beneath the hood. The decision to run megaphone exhaust gave this sinister, inky custom just enough hot rod flavor. And perhaps best of all — it had vent windows. Details, man, details.

At the end of the day, my vote went to what some would consider an underdog: the East Coast-styled 1927 ‘T’ roadster owned by John and Kim Wells. From the unchanneled grille shell to the use of cream accents rather than chrome, the car had a definite persona. It had all the elements — a two-carb Flathead, custom nerf bars and oversized headlights. Everything about it felt natural, almost like a hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed. Maybe it’s a survivor. Maybe it’s a fresh build. Either way, I’d love to rip down some Midwestern backroads behind the four-spoke tiller, only to park in in my garage at the end of the day.

Agree? Disagree? Dicere. Speak. 

So just as Ryan asked a year ago: What car would you take home from this year’s Detroit Autorama?

-Joey Ukrop