Detroit Autorama Brings More Muscle to Motor City

Car culture is alive and abundant in Detroit, Michigan, with everything from classic to contemporary models from Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and other manufacturers around every corner.

Whether the cars are daily drivers, passion projects or rewarding restorations, the owners have stories to share and audiences are anxious to hear them, and that is always apparent at the annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.

The show is a tradition for many enthusiasts, whether they are waxing their prized possession to put under the bright lights, or walking around in wide-eyed wonder (we’ve covered this event many times in the past). Michigan Hot Rod Association and produced by Championship Auto Shows.

”The passion that people in the Motor City have for this event every year is amazing, and honestly, I am one of those people,” said Michael Signorello, president of the Michigan Hot Rod Association who has also displayed his cars at the event over the years. ”This is in our blood, and once it is in our blood, we can’t get it out, and we don’t want to get it out because we are proud of it. In the Motor City, we consider this event to be the Super Bowl of cars, and we truly love it.”

This year’s Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, the 73^rd annual, was held February 27-March 1, and people came from near and far. Huntington Place, which sits alongside the Detroit River, with Windsor, Ontario, on the other side, was filled wall-to-wall with a combination of cars built for speed and built for the spotlight. Some appeared as they did when they made their way to the showroom floor, and some were modified.

As anticipated, it was a feast for the eyes, and the energy was all-encompassing.

”For this year’s show, we registered about 680 vehicles, from show cars to muscle cars, plus station wagons, pickup trucks, lowriders, you name it, and all of truly great quality,” said Signorello. “I do believe this is the greatest car show in the country, and it is always top-of-the-line.”

What The Future Brings

Signorello and his fellow event organizers are already looking ahead to the 2027 and 2028 events, with the latter to feature a celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts.

”As we look forward to our 75^th anniversary, we are mindful of how much this event means to people who show their vehicles and people who come to see the vehicles, especially when it is their first time,” said Signorello. “We will remain focused on making sure everyone has a good experience so that they will want to come back again and again.”

Below are some photos from our visit to this year’s Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.

(Photos by Mary Lendzion)