2009 Detroit Autorama Show Coverage

The 2009 Detroit Autorama once again was packed with tons of nice cars, some rarities, and lots of people. In fact, this year is probably the most packed I have seen it. Surprising, considering that this year's North American International Auto Show had the lowest attendance I had ever seen. Perhaps people just aren't as enthused about the new products coming out, or the fuel efficient direction things are headed. Not that a great number out there won't why these next generation of cars, as I believe it's the future of the automobile. I simply am assuming that the passion for the auto just ain't there. The passion that was lost sometime after the 60's, maybe into the 70's even, where a growing number simply saw the automobile as a means of transportation, and no longer a character statement, or even a means of enjoyment.

Let's face it, how many people could even change their oil today? Hell, how many could even find where the dipstick is under the hood? Even stepping it down a notch, how many people even wax their cars these days? The automobile today is seen more as a throw away purchase more so than ever. Drive it for 3 years, turn the lease in. Buy it, and people turn around and sell it shortly after it's paid off. Aside from the few remaining niche cars, like the Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Vette, and a few others, the attachment is long gone.

So how was this year's show?

I enjoyed it as much as ever! Yet at the same time, nothing much blows me away anymore. I've seen the over the top cars costing hundreds of thousands to build, and I honestly still don't understand the point of a chrome plated brake rotor, never to be used for it's designed purpose. A good number of the cars have evolved into nothing more than artwork, which while not a form of functioning art, I suppose they have their place. At the same time, the polar opposite in Cobo's basement, the whole Rat Rot....lol....that was a typo, but a Freudian slip for sure. Don't get me wrong, I totally admire the "throw it together with what ya got" mentality, but how many rusted out/rotted out cars can one really stomach? Anymore, it seems it's not about how unique it is, it's "How rotted out/unroadworthy is the car? Oh man, that's cool, a rolling death trap!"

I'm quite surprised what I DIDN'T see this year. It almost seemed as though things took a step back, as I saw very few cars sporting modern powertrains. I saw a few new EFI Hemis in cars, though can't recall but a few LS1's and Ford 4.6's. Everything already seems headed back to carbs. Nothing wrong with that, I just found it surprising considering how praised the new efi engines are out there, and not to mention, how easily they seem to make major horsepower!

My game plan for my Camaro hasn't really changed, and truth be told, it's 9+ year old dated restoration would still stand out amongst the crowd. The color, stance, and small body mods would separate it from the few dozen other 1st Gen Camaros I saw. Don't get me wrong, there are a few extreme exceptions, but the vast majority were.....yawn....simply boring.

So without further delay, here are some of the pictures I took at this year's show.

For more pics, click below.

2009 Detroit Autorama Pictures