Automobiles Detroit Autorama, the world's biggest Hot Rod show

[Brownie]

The 71st annual Detroit Autorama is in the books. This is billed as the biggest hot rod show in the world. A three-day event that brings in everything from Rat Rods to cars with Half-million-dollar paint. The show typically features special exhibits and this year was no exception. Five generations of the Batmobile, some of Evel Knievel's most well-known vehicles, and a handful of others. Attendance is nuts, Saturday alone brought in over 500,000 spectators. We went on Sunday.

Here are a few examples. Note there are many, many more in the Flickr album.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgnKX

• ILCE-1
• E 17-28mm F2.8-2.8
• 23.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/25 sec
• ISO 500

• ILCE-1
• E 17-28mm F2.8-2.8
• 27.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/10 sec
• ISO 500

• ILCE-1
• E 17-28mm F2.8-2.8
• 17.0 mm
• ƒ/4.5
• 1/10 sec
• ISO 500

• ILCE-1
• E 17-28mm F2.8-2.8
• 20.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/25 sec
• ISO 500

• ILCE-1
• E 17-28mm F2.8-2.8
• 20.0 mm
• ƒ/3.5
• 1/13 sec
• ISO 500

• ILCE-1
• E 17-28mm F2.8-2.8
• 17.0 mm
• ƒ/3.5
• 1/25 sec
• ISO 500

 

[Brownie]

A few more. The show area is vast. I started at one end when the doors opened at 10:00, and by 12:30 had worked my way across about two-thirds of the main floor. The lower level is a bit more pedestrian, think 'steerage' on the Titanic. Still some fun stuff down there.

Autorama 2024 (124) by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

Autorama 2024 (88) by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

Autorama 2024 (30) by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

Autorama 2024 (20) by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

Autorama 2024 (12) by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

 

[Unframed Dave]

What is the 5th car?

Evel Knievel was a boyhood hero. I had the toy motorbike, with the ramp. You wound the crank on the side and then let it fly. I also had the tour bus that opened out into a workshop. Happy days.

 

[spudhead]

looks like plenty of challenges on this shoot so well managed Tim

 

[Richard A]

I can't say that I'm a huge hot rod fan but your photos are outstanding! Well done!

 

[Brownie]

What is the 5th car?

Evel Knievel was a boyhood hero. I had the toy motorbike, with the ramp. You wound the crank on the side and then let it fly. I also had the tour bus that opened out into a workshop. Happy days.

I'll try to dig up the info when I get a chance, I think I took a photo of the exhibit sign. I do know it's a hand-built version of an old Jaguar. The Owner/Builder hammered each body panel by hand from sheet stock. Some of these guys have amazing talent!

 

[Unframed Dave]

I'll try to dig up the info when I get a chance, I think I took a photo of the exhibit sign. I do know it's a hand-built version of an old Jaguar. The Owner/Builder hammered each body panel by hand from sheet stock. Some of these guys have amazing talent!

That's what prompted the question, it has something of the E type about it.

 

[Brownie]

That's what prompted the question, it has something of the E type about it.

Here's what I've found so far:

It's based on a Jaguar XJE. Custom tube chassis 16" wider than stock built by the owner. Body was hand formed from sheet steel by the owner, 75% of it was done in his own garage. It is powered by a Chevy 400 Small Block engine with dual-quad carburetors, and a 5 speed transmission.

 

[Unframed Dave]

Here's what I've found so far:

It's based on a Jaguar XJE. Custom tube chassis 16" wider than stock built by the owner. Body was hand formed from sheet steel by the owner, 75% of it was done in his own garage. It is powered by a Chevy 400 Small Block, engine with dual-quad carburetors, and a 5 speed transmission.

Cool.

I don't know what it's like over there, but the chevy short block is used in a lot of kit builds or custom jobs, as it gets round emissions test requirements due to it's age.

 

[Brownie]

Cool.

I don't know what it's like over there, but the chevy short block is used in a lot of kit builds or custom jobs, as it gets round emissions test requirements due to it's age.

It's a very powerful motor that fits in a smaller space. Chevy small blocks are popular for racing engines.

 

[iain clyne]

Nice shots. I like the VW.

 

[Richard A]

There was quite a few older Jags around here with Chevy 350s in them. They almost bolt straight in…

 

[Brownie]

The 350 is an amazing engine. The Small Block engines all used the same block, 265, 305, the famed 327, 350, and 400. There was also a 262, 267, 302 and a 307 for a short period. I've seen references to a 427 SB, but I think those are custom bored and stroked. Chevy's 427 was Big Block.

FYI, they still build small blocks as crate engines for hot rodders in Springfield, MO.!

 

[Richard A]

The only ones you would see here in any number were the 307, 327 & 350. I can't ever remember seeing a 400. The 350's were extremely popular here back in the day for ski boats.

 

[Brownie]

Speaking of crate engines...

Not my photo but when it popped up, I was reminded of this thread:

GM Performance has announced the ZZ632/1000 a 1,000+ hp crate motor. The new ZZ632/1000 will produce 1004 hp and 876-lb ft of torque. What’s even more impressive is that the ZZ632/1000 will be putting out those numbers naturally aspirated and on pump gas, no turbo or supercharger.

 

[AlphaWorld]

Despite not having much interest in cars, I really enjoy your photos. I was wondering about the mirrors under a few of the cars, but I think I can see why - they have gone to a lot of trouble to make the underneath of the car really pretty (especially the blue one!). Makes me wonder if those cars ever run on roads (I suspect not!).

Beautifully shot. Looks like you enjoyed the show.

 

[Brownie]

Despite not having much interest in cars, I really enjoy your photos. I was wondering about the mirrors under a few of the cars, but I think I can see why - they have gone to a lot of trouble to make the underneath of the car really pretty (especially the blue one!). Makes me wonder if those cars ever run on roads (I suspect not!).

Beautifully shot. Looks like you enjoyed the show.

Thanks. Many of these cars never see a road, but you'd also be surprised how many of them are taken for a drive when the weather is agreeable.