- One of the longest running indoor car shows in the world
- One of the largest car shows in the West, outside of SoCal
- Industry highlight in the Kustom Capital of the World, Sacramento
- Now in its 71st year, has become a Northern California Tradition
Sacramento, Calif. (April 4, 2022) – The Sacramento Autorama returns to the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento, California April 29 to May 1, 2022. The three-day event presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts will feature over 500 hot rods, customs, lowriders, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles from across the country, with up to 400 additional vehicles expected to participate in the 14th Annual Sacramento Autorama Drive-In.
Participating vehicles will include new builds and some of the top customs from across the country. In addition to the ’32 Ford celebration and special Tri-Five Chevy display, 2022 Builder of the Year Jason Standley of Standley Brothers Hot Rods will be honored, along with the winners of the Grand National Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” and “Al Slonaker Memorial Award.”
This year’s additional featured events and vehicles include:
14th Annual Sacramento Autorama Drive-In
The three-day outdoor Autorama Drive-In is open to all pre-1987 cars and trucks, with no motorcycles allowed, and all vehicles must be driven into the event. This year’s Drive-In celebrates 90 years of the ’32 Ford. Several magazines, including Modern Rodding, All Chevy Performance and Classic Truck Performance, will name Editor’s Pick awards all three days.
“Custom d’Elegance” Awards
The most prestigious Sacramento Autorama award, the “Custom d’Elegance” now presented by ARP Fasteners, will be given to the best chopped, channeled or sectioned vehicle from 1936-1964 that embodies the true spirit of a classic custom. Custom owners and builders across America will be competing for the title and the $5,000 purse courtesy of ARP. In addition, cars will compete for the “King of Kustoms” award and the “Big B Awards,” which include the “Dick Bertolucci Automotive Excellence Memorial Award,” “Candy Apple Joe Bailon Memorial Award,” “Sam Barris Memorial Award” and “World’s Most Beautiful Custom, H.A. Bagdasarian Memorial Award.”
Lowrider Showcase
The Lowrider Showcase returns for its fifth year and will be in the Pavilion and outside surrounding grounds with over 250 custom lowriders. Hosted by Raj Reddy and Jay Walding, it will feature some of the lowrider community’s finest lowriders, bombs, bicycles, and motorcycles.
Butch Gardner Club House
The Butch Gardner Club House was started in memory of Butch Gardner, a long-time member of the Thunderbolts and a staple in Sacramento car culture. This year’s Club House display will house over 25 car clubs spanning hot rods, tri-fives, trucks and classics.
Pinstriper Charity Fundraiser
The show will again host the popular Jammin at the Autorama pinstriping charity fundraiser, where show attendees can watch the best pinstripers in the nation create custom works of art live during the show. You may also have your own personal items pinstriped on site for a small fee. All creations will be up for auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to the University of California Davis Children’s Hospital.
Autograph Signings
On Friday afternoon, builders Troy Ladd from Hollywood Hot Rods, Roy Brizio from Roy Brizio Street Rods, Darryl Hollenbeck from Vintage Color Studios and Steve Strope from Pure Vision Designs will sign autographs from 2-6 p.m. Erik Estrada, who played Ponch in the television series “CHiPs,” will host autograph sessions on Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., and on Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The family-friendly event will also feature live music, food and entertainment. For show hours, parking information and to purchase tickets online, please visit https://hotrodshows.com/sacramento-autorama/.
About Rod Shows
Rod Shows produces the West Coast’s premier indoor hot rod and custom car shows, including the Grand National Roadster Show and the Sacramento Autorama. Its professional show management team sets the highest standards for top-quality competition and displays with every show and personally visit the country’s top automotive coachbuilders and events throughout the year, ensuring the Best of the Best participate in its events. For more information, visit www.rodshows.com.
