Starting May 2, hundreds of hot rods, custom vehicles, muscle cars, lowriders, trucks, and motorcycles will take over Cal Expo at the 74th annual Sacramento Autorama. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Autorama

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The popular Sacramento Autorama returns to Cal Expo for the 74th year on May 2 through May 4. The three-day event presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts will feature more than 500 hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles, plus celebrity appearances, vendors, fair food and much more.

Here is an overview of what attendees can look forward to enjoying at this year’s show:

The most prestigious award at the Sacramento Autorama, the Custom d'Elegance presented by ARP Fasteners, will be awarded to the best chopped, channeled or sectioned vehicle from 1936-64 that embodies the true spirit of a classic custom. Contenders will compete for a $5,000 prize and a custom trophy.

Participants will also compete for the “Big B Awards,” including the Dick Bertolucci Automotive Excellence Award, Candy Apple Joe Bailon Memorial Award, Sam Barris Memorial Award and the World's Most Beautiful Custom, H.A. Bagdasarian Memorial Award, as well as the King of Kustoms Award. All five awards honor Northern California hot rod legends.

 

For the third consecutive year, the West Coast Challenge Car Show Series presented by ARP Fasteners, will crown its grand champion in Sacramento at the annual Autorama, happening May 2 through May 4. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Autorama

The Autorama will also celebrate intricate and incredible lowriders with the World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider Award. This year’s winner will receive a $5,000 prize courtesy of ARP Fasteners.

Locals and car enthusiasts are encouraged to show off their rides in the 18th Annual Autorama Drive-In, which welcomes all makes and models of cars and trucks (motorcycles are not permitted).

Vehicles must be driven into the show and can be entered for just one or all three days. Participants will receive event admission for two people, a goodie bag and the best parking at the event. Over 400 cars are anticipated to join this outdoor portion of the show.

For the third consecutive year, the West Coast Challenge Car Show Series, presented by ARP Fasteners, will crown its grand champion in Sacramento. Eleven vehicles that have competed in at least four or five select car shows in California, Oregon and Washington will be judged for the “Best of the West” award. The top three winners will receive prizes of $12,500, $6,500 and $3,500, respectively, plus other gifts and prizes.

The Sacramento Autorama opens to the public daily from May 2 through May 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Discounted tickets are available at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores for $20 for adults and $8 for children. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Autorama

Brandon Flaner of East Bay Speed and Custom will be honored as the 2025 Builder of the Year. Known for building early Ford hot rods and customs, Flaner has been restoring hot rods at East Bay Speed and Custom for over a decade. After winning last year’s King of Kustoms Award for Mike McAuliffe's impeccable 1953 Ford Victoria, Flaner and his team will showcase many of their builds in the Builder of the Year display in building C.

The Cal Expo buildings will be packed with special collections and displays, including a dozen high-horsepower blown, injected, nitrous-powered, tubbed and fat-tired muscle cars in the West Coast Pro Street Outlaws display. The West Coast Kustoms car club will showcase some of its coolest customs in building C, alongside a special display honoring the legendary late customizer and fabricator Gene Windfield. The Traditional Rod & Custom Showcase celebrates hot rods the way they used to be, including styles and history associated with the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Since 1990, Work World has been outfitting California’s workers, offering top brands like Carhartt, Dickies, Wolverine, Ben Davis and more. Visit Work World locations in Sacramento and Roseville before the event to enter for a chance to win a single-day admission ticket. Make sure to visit their booth in building A for a chance to win prizes, including Work World gift cards.

The well-known Pinstriper Charity Auction highlights leading pinstripers from across the nation who create unique artwork to be auctioned daily for charity. For a small donation, participants can bring any item and receive a custom pinstriping design. All donations raised go directly to the University of California, Davis Children’s Hospital.

The family-friendly event will feature live music, vendors, food and entertainment.

The Sacramento Autorama opens to the public daily from Friday, May 2, through Sunday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult tickets are $25 per day, while tickets for children ages 6 to 12 cost $10, and children under 5 are admitted for free. Discounted tickets are available at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores for $20 for adults and $8 for children.

For more information about the Sacramento Autorama and to purchase tickets online, visit rodshows.com/sacramento-autorama.