More than 500 custom vehicles filled the California Expo Center last weekend to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Sacramento Autorama, one of the longest-running indoor car shows in the world. The event featured hundreds of individual awards and three major honors: Custom d’Elegance, Best of the West, and World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider.
On May 3, judges awarded the 1936 Ford 3-Window Coupe of Nick and Beth Rogers the Custom d’Elegance prize. Known as “The Rugierro 36,” the blue coupe was built by South City Rod and Custom of Oakland and powered by a Chevy 350. The car features a four-inch chop to the top, filled fender seams, a custom-made bullnose, handmade grille and dash trim, and a ’37 Zephyr steering wheel. Suspension includes a Heidts front end and a four-link rear setup, with an Air Lift air ride system. The Rogers received a $5,000 check and trophy presented by ARP Fasteners.
Sacramento Autorama is the fifth event in the West Coast Challenge Car Show Series, which includes shows in Oregon, Washington, and California. Winners from these events are eligible for the “Best of the West” award. This year, the 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible of Charlie and Alanna Butts claimed the top honor and a $12,500 prize.
The Bel Air, built by Roseville Rod Custom, is coated in Space Red Candy paint and rides on an Art Morrison chassis. It features power rack-and-pinion steering, modern independent front suspension, and a four-link rear. Power comes from an LT4 V-8 with custom-machined valve covers, Ultimate Headers, and a custom exhaust with Borla mufflers. A 4L80-E transmission with a Lokar shifter sends power through a 9-inch rear end. The car rides on 20-inch Budnick wheels in the rear and 16-inch up front, with 14-inch Wilwood disc brakes. A custom console includes a digital display, and Dakota Digital gauges are fitted to the original cluster.
The 1963 Chevy Impala convertible of Juan Montero won the $5,000 World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider prize. Dubbed “Hidden Paradise,” the chromed and metalflaked car features elegant custom paintwork and delicate engraving throughout.
“This weekend wasn’t just a celebration of Sacramento’s hot-rodding roots, it was a statement about where the craft is today.”
John Buck, owner of Rod Shows, which organizes the event, made the statement.
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