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General Motors Co.’s 50 Millionth Car, the Golden 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe, will be displayed at this year’s Autorama in Detroit.
Photo provided by Autorama
DETROIT/WARREN — Kapow, Batman!
For followers of the comic book legend, here’s your chance to see all five Batmobiles from the television show and the Hollywood movies.
The classic automobiles will be displayed during this year’s 71st annual Detroit Autorama scheduled for March 1-3 at Huntington Place. Over the weekend, more than 800 hot rod, custom-made truck and motorcycle owners from across the U.S. and the world will park their prized possessions for gearheads to view.
“There are so many exciting features at this year’s edition of Autorama that we can hardly wait to share all of it with the great auto enthusiasts of metro Detroit,” Peter Toundas, president and owner of Championship Auto Shows Inc., producer of Autorama, said in a prepared statement. “Detroit’s Autorama was the first and is the most revered hot rod custom car show in the country, attracting enthusiasts from across North America. However, being that this is the Motor City, we of course have the most knowledgeable, passionate and dedicated hot rod/custom car fans in the world. That’s why we look forward to their reaction to this year’s Autorama. We are so proud that the world of custom car shows started in Detroit and has grown to be the most important custom car/hot rod show in the nation.”
And the legacy of Evel Knievel will ride again with an exhibit highlighting his death-defying jumps. A specially painted motorcycle, created by Chip Foose, will be unveiled at 2 p.m. March 2 to honor the daredevil. Other highlights include the exhibit of General Motors Co.’s 50 Millionth Car, the Golden 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe.
“Every inch of the car is 24-karat gold plated, outside and in, including the engine and chassis. It was created by GM to commemorate the production of its 50 millionth car in 1954, and was the focal point of its nationwide Golden CARnival across the country that kicked off with a grand citywide parade in Flint, unveiling the golden Chevy,” an Autorama press release states. “This is a complete reconstruction of the car, faithful 100% to how it was conceived in 1955.”
While the souped-up vehicles are the stars of the show, many other activities are planned. Noel Gugliemi, who played “Hector” in the film series “The Fast and the Furious,” will mingle with fans from 5 to 8 p.m. March 1. And rock on, Twisted Sister fans, because lead singer Dee Snider will sign autographs and take photos from 1 to 4 p.m. March 2.
The Motor City Mavens 2024 Auto Art Panel Jam and Charity Auction benefiting Leader Dogs for the Blind will raise money for the nonprofit organization.
Autorama hours are noon to 10 p.m. March 1, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 2 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 3. Admission is $27 for adults, $10 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Discount tickets are available at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores.
Huntington Place is located at 1 Washington Blvd. For more information and tickets, visit autorama.com/attend/detroit/ or call (248) 373-1700.
AT THE SHOW:
The following Warren residents will have their decked-out vehicles on display:
• William Harrison, with six custom motorcycles and three custom cars, including a 1975 pink Chevy Caprice, a 1985 green Cutlass and a 1986 orange Buick Regal
• Brennen Schwartz, with a 1970 Chevrolet Townsman
• Chris Schwartz, with a 1994 GMC 1500 orange pick-up truck
• Jerome Bennet will show his lowrider bicycle
• Mark Jozwiack, with a 1965 GMC Stepside
• Mike Mazelis, with a green 1970 Dodge Super Bee
• Michael McDonald, with a 1967 yellow Chevy El Camino
• Steve Goslow, with a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro
