Car Show
If you weren’t at the 2025 Detroit Autorama, you missed out on a pure, unfiltered dose of horsepower, chrome, and custom car insanity. From February 28 to March 2, Huntington Place (yeah, the old Cobo Hall) became ground zero for everything loud, fast, and meticulously built. And smack in the middle of it all? The Cavalcade of Customs—a no-holds-barred showcase of the wildest, cleanest, and most mind-blowing custom rides the country has to offer.
We were back in the Motor City for the 72nd Detroit Autorama, held from February 28 to March 2, 2025, at Huntington Place. Over 800 custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles filled the halls, showcasing everything from high-dollar, jaw-dropping builds to gritty, backyard-bred machines. But the biggest prize? The Don Ridler Memorial Award, aka the Ridler, handed out to the one car that stands above all others for design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.
When we first began publishing back in 1999, I wrote about my friend’s ’32 Vicky. That car, and a ’57 Chevy, was photographed by Scott Killeen and graced that issue’s cover. This helped serve as our coming-out statement for our company—the rest is history.
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.
The 75th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show, presented by Meguiar’s, went full throttle this year, bringing out some of the most insane custom cars the hot rod world has ever seen. Sure, the AMBR award gets all the press, but the real hardcore builders know that the Al Slonaker Memorial Award is where true engineering battles happen. This isn’t just about looking pretty—this is about pushing the limits of fabrication, design, and flat-out mechanical genius.
The Triple Crown of Rodding isn’t just an event—it’s a battleground where the world’s finest muscle cars and custom rods come to claim their place among legends. In 2024, this showcase of horsepower and craftsmanship cemented itself as a must-hit for anyone who eats, sleeps, and breathes the rumble of a V8. If you’re obsessed with torque and tire smoke, this was the event of the year.
Just about any gearhead would be thrilled by the opportunity to work with legendary automotive collector and all-around funny guy Jay Leno. Dave Killackey, owner of Performance Transmissions in Azusa, California, not only had the opportunity to work on a number of Leno’s projects, but along the way he’s developed a friendship with the late-night TV host. It’s a close enough friendship that Leno teamed with automotive designer Chip Foose and his “Overhaulin’” TV show to completely transform his rusted-out ’56 Chevrolet Nomad. So yes, you did read this correctly; Dave Killackey is indeed one of the luckiest car guys on the planet—he’s friends with Jay Leno, and he owns a ’56 Nomad that has been overhauled by Chip Foose and the rest of his team.
The Holley LS Fest West Car Show is an epic event that pays homage to the legacy and performance of LS and LT-powered machines. Imagine this: a gathering of the sickest LS and current-gen LT rides you’d ever seen, each one a testament to the blood, sweat, and grease poured into its creation. But we’re not just talking about flashy paint jobs and blinged-out rims – we were all about the nitty-gritty details here. From intricate mods to groundbreaking designs, we were on the prowl for rides that screamed individuality.
Las Vegas, Nevada, baby! Picture this: the Holley LS Fest West roaring into town like a beast on four wheels, revving up the asphalt at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from April 26-28, 2024. This shindig ain’t your average car meet; nah, it’s a full-throttle celebration of all things LS engine from GM. You got your gearheads from every corner gathering round, ready to rip it up in Autocross, Drifting, Drag Racing, Off-Road showdowns, and then some. But it’s not just about the racing; it’s about the vibe, man. Folks bonding over their love for LS-powered rides, swapping stories, and soaking in that sweet, sweet automotive culture.
“I shouldn’t have sold that car.” How many times have you heard an enthusiast make that statement? It seems that a great many of us regret selling our favorite rides over the years, whatever the reasons.
