AUTORAMA CAL EXPO 2022 MOVIE

Today the Autorama is recognized as the premiere custom car show on the West Coast. The Thunderbolts club is still active in the production and judging at the Autorama, with current president Butch Gardner acting as the show's floor manager. In 1999, Baggie and Don sold the show to Dan Cyr Enterprises out of Portland, Oregon. In the late 80's he teamed with Sacramento's Don Tognotti, who produced the Sacramento Autorama until Feb 1999. Bagdasarian carried on with the show through the 70's and 80's. The Sacramento Autorama has expanded to more buildings to accommodate its present day exhibition of nearly 300 of the most spectacular vehicles in the world.

AUTORAMA CAL EXPO 2022 MOVIE

The third was converted to a 1,500 seat movie theater. Entries increased to about 175 and two of the buildings were used for displays. In 1970, Bagdasarian moved the Autorama into three buildings at the Cal Expo. Vehicle entries were up to 150 and in 1966 the adjacent Governor's Hall was used to increase floor space. After the 1963 show saw nearly 30,000 attendees it was moved to the larger Women's Building on the fairgrounds for 1964. By 1958, the large crowds and success made a five-day Autorama a reality. In 1955, the Autorama was shifted to the 33,000 square foot Merchandise Mart Building at the old California State Fairgrounds on Stockton Boulevard.

The 1954 Sacramento Autorama and Motor Sports Review utilized both the main floor and basement of the Memorial Auditorium, and attendance of nearly 9,000. In 1954, Baggie gave the Thunderbolts a check for $5,700, and went on to produce the show for many years.

Agajanian, whose Number 98 Indianapolis car was one of the specialty entries. The event drew 70 entries and nearly 8,000 spectators, including famed sportsman J.C. A theater area for the showing of various racing events, such as the Indianapolis 500 was introduced as well. This was the first time the name 'Autorama' was used, since the exhibits expanded to include all types of hot rods, customs, motorcycles, race cars, boats and specialty vehicles. The third Sacramento Autorama was held in late January 1953, and the show had now grown in to a 3 days event. Baggie, the consummate promoter, resigned as president of the Thunderbolts and contracted with the club, giving them 10 percent of the gate if they would help him with the show. The rent was $750 per day, and the club told Baggie that would break their treasury. It became apparent that a more suitable location was needed for expansion so he rented the Memorial Auditorium and teamed with the late John Gliebe, a motorsports publicist to increase public awareness. Baggy promoted the show without the Thunderbolts' backing. But an optimistic Bagdasarian, encouraged by the increased attendance, was convinced that the event had the potential for being a real winner. įollowing the second Autorama, the Thunderbolts were hesitant to continue due to expenses. The spectator count grew to more than 1,000 and the Best Custom trophy was awarded to Joe Bailon's 1941 Chevrolet Coupe, also known as The Dashboard. Most of the cars attending were local, but a few from the San Francisco/ Oakland Bay area did also attend. The second show was moved to Newton Cope Buick's showroom at 15th and J Street, that had larger showroom space. The date for the second Sacramento Autorama was rescheduled for April 19 and 20, 1952. The income from the first Sacramento Autorama did not quite meet the expenses it costed to hold the show, but Harold Bagdasarian persuaded the rest of the Thunderbolts members to try again. Leroy Sema's 1937 Chevrolet won the 'Best Custom' trophy, and Burton Davis' 1931 Ford Model A Roadster won the 'Best Hot Rod' trophy at the first Sacramento Autorama. By charging 74 cents instead of 75, they weren't involved in the Federal Amusement Tax. The ticket costed 74 cents, and during those two days the organizers took in $262. Twenty-two cars was exhibited at the show, and 500 spectators showed up for the gathering. That show was held in the service area of Capitol Chevrolet ath13th and K Streets in downtown Sacramento November 4-5, 1950. Fellow club member Harold Bagdasarian suggested they stage a little car show to let the public decide whose roadster was the coolest. Three of the founding members, Norm Milne, Buck Davis, and Lawrence Brochini, were all arguing one night about who had the nicest roadster.

The first Sacramento Autorama in 1950 was organized by members of the Thunderbolts Car Club. The Sacramento Autorama is the 2nd longest running indoor car show in the World.

Leroy won the 'Best Custom' award with the coupe at the show. Leroy Sema's 1937 Chevrolet at the first Sacramento Autorama in 1950.

Autorama cal expo 2022