The 73rd annual Sacramento Autorama roared into town last weekend, showcasing over 500 of the nation’s finest custom vehicles and awarding a staggering 400 trophies. A titan among indoor car shows, Rod Show’s Autorama boasts a legacy as deep as the custom paint jobs gleaming under the lights. The show rumbled to life in the early 1950s and has grown to become one of the world’s longest-running celebrations of automotive artistry.

Cal Expo Towers

We consider the Autorama to be the best car show in the country. It’s blend of Nor Cal cool, and the backdrop of the Cal Expo Fairgrounds is an unbeatable combination. It attracts a faithful crowd each year, transforming the Cal Expo Center into a vibrant display of laser straight metal, innovative engineering, and sheer automotive passion. The show celebrates not only the current crop of car builders but also the history of customization through awards like the Big B Awards, recognizing the pioneers who paved the way. The outdoor drive-in might be the coolest spot for spectators to get a glimpse of Nor Cal’s coolest street cars.

The Best of The Best – Autorama 2024

The Big B Awards, recognizing the pioneers who paved the way. The outdoor drive in might the coolest spot in the show as a spectator can get a glimpse of Nor Cal’s coolest street cars. The standouts of the show were the big awards. Let’s take a look at the winners.

Cliff Mattis’ 1957 Chevrolet Convertible, a marvel of customized cool, snatched the prestigious Custom d’Elegance award. Built by Lucky 7 Customs, the ’57 sits nearly on the ground, boasting handcrafted copper trim and a vintage-look LS engine. We saw this car at the GNRS last spring, and it was a killer. Mattis and Lucky 7 have worked together before and each time they seem to hit a home run.

Meanwhile, Carlos Martinez’s 1964 Chevrolet Impala, the “Indigenous Angel,” cruised away with the first-ever World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider title. This purple sled features intricate detailing, hydraulics, and intricate murals that are incredible works of art.

Here Come The “Big B Awards”

The Dick Bertolucci Automotive Excellence Award is given to a vehicle manufactured before 1973 that the family of the late custom builder Dick Bertolucci felt exhibited the best craftsmanship. This year, the Bertolucci’s Choice went to Bert Schieder’s Dominator Street Rods-built 1937 Ford Cabriolet.

Dave Zocchi won the H.A. Bagdasarian World’s Most Beautiful Custom Award for his pristine, fat-fendered 1936 Ford. We love the subtle touches to this machine’s body and classic look. 

The Sam Barris Memorial Award, named in honor of custom car craftsman Sam Barris, is chosen by members of the Barris family. They anointed ‘Lucille,’ a beautiful 1951 Mercury built by Cambra Speed Shop for Gary Stell Jr., as the car featuring the best metalwork, alignment of body panels, and paint

The Joe “Candy Apple Red” Bailon Memorial Award is in honor of Bailon, one of the nation’s premier custom car designers and builders. This year, the award was presented to John D’Agostino’s 1941 Cadillac designed by Oz Welch. Welch is a legendary Nor Cal builder and is the brawn and talent behind many D’Augustino builds.

A Good Time Was Had By All

“We’re thrilled with the response from Northern California’s car community,” said John Buck, the show’s producer. “This year, from classic hot rods to lowriders, the Sacramento Autorama celebrated every aspect of automotive passion, with the Big B Awards honoring the rich history of custom car building.”

Beyond the trophies, the Sacramento Autorama championed a worthy cause. The Pinstriper Charity Auction raised a cool $10,000 for UC Davis Children’s Hospital, making a real difference in young lives.

As the cars rolled out the the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. another Sacramento Autorama came to a close. Congratulations to all the winners! Kudos to Rod Shows for another great show, see you next year!

For a full list of winners and upcoming events, go here.