THE AUTO BUILDER
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Remembering George Poteet
July 17, 2024
R-CODE Refined
Neal Hensl is a true muscle car enthusiast. Over the years he’s owned plenty of them, including Novas, Chevelles, Corvettes and a Fairlane. Not long ago, he picked up a ’68 Mustang fastback, and it wasn’t just any fastback—it was a rare R-code.
DUPONT DEUCE
For many of us, the culmination of money and time spent on our street rods comes through experiences with our friends, whether it’s at the corner drive-in on the weekend or at a national event with thousands of people. It’s there we can share stories, laughs and the fruits of our labors, namely, the cars that bring us together in celebration of history, creativity and realized possibilities.
A Century of Kustom Cool: The GNRS Tribute to George Barris
The mastermind who turned wild ideas into rolling legends. At the 2025 Grand National Roadster Show, organizers pulled out all the stops to honor what would have been his 100th birthday, showcasing some of his most legendary and jaw-dropping creations.
Spotlighter
2025 Detroit Autorama: A Gearhead’s Dreamland
A Celebration of Automotive Passion
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Julie & John Aschenberg
Walking into the Madness
Step through the doors, and bam—you’re hit with row after row of mind-blowing builds. Right off the bat, Barbie’s pink Cadillac Convertible was stealing the show, proving that even a toy-inspired cruiser can have serious presence. Then there was the Mega Morph Giant Transforming Robot Car—because why not? Nothing says Autorama like a car that can shape-shift.
The 2025 Ridler Award Winner and the Great 8
The 2025 Ridler Award went to a beast of a build—Gray Madder, a killer 1955 Chevy Nomad that took things to a whole new level. Built by Southern Comfort Customs, this thing is pure automotive perfection, with flawless bodywork, a rowdy LS3 engine, and custom details that had the crowd losing their minds. But don’t get it twisted—the rest of the Great 8 weren’t exactly slouches. We’re talking about high-end restorations and wild, out-of-this-world customs that brought serious heat, proving once again that if you want to make it in this game, you better bring everything you’ve got.
History, Horsepower, and Pure Creativity
One of the coolest things about Autorama is the mix of styles, and this year was no different. A 1941 Buick Special, complete with a bullet hole from Pearl Harbor—yeah, you read that right—brought some serious history to the show floor. Then there was the 1951 Mercury done up like a NASCAR stocker, making the trek all the way from Austria just to drop jaws.
Why Autorama is Pure Magic
Detroit Autorama isn’t just another car show—it’s a full-blown tribute to the obsession, creativity, and hardcore wrenching that makes car culture what it is. Whether you’re into pristine classics, wild customs, or off-the-wall builds that make zero sense but totally work, this show had it all. And as the doors closed on another epic year, one thing was clear: 2025 was a banger, and we’re already counting the days ‘til next year.
