Indoor winter rod and custom shows have always been (at least since the L.A. Armory show of 1948) an exciting venue for the general public to attend, whether they are actual auto enthusiasts or merely those seeking some diversion in entertainment aside from movies or bowling, etc. This is especially true for the Midwest and East Coast regions of our country, where the indoor auto show quickly became a circus of sorts, allowing a break from the seasonal doldrums bestowed on residents by good old Mother Nature. At first, most of these shows were put on by local car clubs, featuring, pretty much, their own cars. Flushed with success, a few of the club members who helped organize and run these shows became enthusiast-entrepreneurs themselves, turning their talents at car show promotion into a career. One such show is was (and is) the Detroit Autorama, and one such individual is Bob Larivee, Sr.
Now, I've been to my fair share of indoor car shows, starting in my youth and continuing on through today. First as an enthusiast, and then as a professional photojournalist, I've even seen a couple of 50th anniversaries. But I've got to admit that for Detroit's Golden Anniversary, they pulled out all the stops. I feel I've been to the big city and seen the elephant, for indeed, this was the "Greatest Show on Earth!" This isn't just me saying this either, for everyone I've talked to has expressed much the same (elephant remark aside), no matter the area or country they're from. So how did such a show with so many historically significant rods and customs and so many legends of our hobby in attendance come about? For this I went to the history books and did a little digging. So, without further praise, I'll just say that for myself and the countless others old enough to really appreciate the experience with all its historical significance, thanks for the use of the hall! The following then is a brief account of how everything came about this past 50 years to converge at this particular time and place: February 22-24, 2002.
The very first Autorama was put on by the MHRA (Michigan Hot Rod Association) at the University of Detroit Field House in January of 1953, with 50 cars. The second Autorama the following year was moved to the Michigan State Fairgrounds, and for 1955, the third show was held at the Detroit Artillery Armory. Then it was back to the fairgrounds during 1956-60 for the fourth through eighth Autorama. For the show's ninth consecutive year of successful operation, it moved to Cobo Hall (now Cobo Center), where it has stayed ever since. In 1957, Don Ridler, a professional promotions agent, was hired to add his exceptional skills to improve the show-and improve it he did. Don brought popular musical acts and bands into the mix of rods and customs, such as Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Big Bopper, and Duane Eddy, to appeal to a larger audience-which it most certainly did! The year 1957 was also a pivotal year for another man, as well, for this was when Bob Larivee, Sr., a MHRA board member, became manager of the club's new dragstrip. (Note that I have always considered 1957 a pivotal year across the board for rodding and customizing, and this is just another example of why it's so.)