Detroit AutoRama last week at Cobo Center was a chance for gearheads to show folks the results of their hard work.
Clarkston residents Erik Standford and Steven Smith were there. Standford displayed his 1949 Chevrolet 3100 truck, which he built with his dad, Don Standford of Ortonville.
Smith brought his violet 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, which he has been restoring for the last two years.
“All new rear sheet metal, quarter panels, and floor, everything rebuilt mechanically to like-new with a Hemi four speed transmission, six-barrel motor, AM, 8-track radio, Hurst pistol grip shifter ? I love it,” Smith said. “It’s great to drive, with a lot of power and a lot of style.”
He has been collecting and restoring cars for 20 years, including two Dodge Challengers and a 1972 El Camino.
Detroit AutoRama, which was March 8-10 at Cobo Center, is the largest and oldest show of customized cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles and hot rods in North America.
“It’s a great experience,” Smith said. “People are very polite. They ask a lot of questions and I love to answer them.”