From its humble beginnings as a two day hot rod show in November of 1950, the Sacramento Autorama stands as the premier showcase of the radical custom and exotic show cars, and Sacramento has evolved to be know as "The Custom Car Capitol of the World". Each year, thousands of spectators have made the annual trek to California's capitol city to view the latest in chopped, channeled, sectioned and chromed sedans and hardtops in addition to the vast gathering of hot rods, pickups, motorcycles, muscle cars and competition machines.
The inaugural Autorama was the brainchild of Sacramento businessman Harold "Baggy" Bagdasarian. In 1950, while serving as president of the Capitol City Auto Club Thunderbolts, he talked the members into having a show to settle friendly arguments over the outstanding merits of their personal customized cars.
The Capitol Chevrolet Company dealership at 13th and K Streets in downtown Sacramento was the site of the first gathering, which attracted 22 entries and 500 spectators. "We took in $262 in two days at 74 cents a head," Baggy recalled. "We didn't charge 75 cents because we would have gotten involved in the Federal Amusement Tax." The first Best Custom Car trophy went to Leroy Semas for his 1937 Chevrolet coupe, and Burton Davis was the winner for Best Rod with his 1931 Ford Roadster.
Though income did not quite meet expenses in 1950, Bagdasarian persuaded the Thunderbolt members to try it again. The date was rescheduled for April 19 and 20, 1952, but the location changed to the Newton Cope Buick Company showroom at 15th and J Streets. There were 32 local car entries, along with a few cars from the San Francisco/Oakland Bay area. The spectator count grew to more than 1,000 and the Best Custom trophy was awarded to a beautiful 1941 Chevrolet built by the legendary Joe Bailon, then of San Leandro.

1951- This mid-30's Bonneville coupe was entered by Harold Casaurank and Vern Hurst.

The Judge was CHP Officer Ezra Ehrhart.

Following the second Autorama , the Thunderbolts were hesitant about its continuation because expenses had surpassed the gate receipts. But an optimistic Bagdasarian encouraged by the increased attendance, was convinced that the event had the potential for being a real winner. When the club could not decide to move on, Baggy elected to promote the show without the Thunderbolts' backing.
When it became apparent that a more suitable location was needed for expansion, he rented the Memorial Auditorium for the third annual Autorama. Also noting the need for increased publicity, Bagdasarian teamed with the late John Gliebe, a motorsports publicist for several tracks in the Sacramento Valley.
The 3rd Autorama was a three-day show held in late January of 1953. This was the first time the term "Autorama" was used, because the exhibits were expanded to include all types of hot rods, customs, motorcycles, race cars, boats and specialty vehicles. The 1953 show also introduced a theater area for the showing of various racing events, such as the Indianapolis 500. The event drew 70 entries and nearly 8,000 spectators, including famed sportsman J.C. Agajanian, whose Number 98 Indianapolis car was one of the specialty entries.

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 pushed the limits of capacity. In 1955, the Autorama was shifted to the 33,000 square foot Merchandise Mart Building at the old California State Fairgrounds on Stockton Boulevard. By 1958, the continually growing crowds dictated a lengthening of the Autorama to a five-day event. Following the 1963 show, which saw nearly 30,000 attendees, the show was moved to the larger Women's Building on the fairgrounds for 1964. Vehicle entries were up to 150. Another forced expansion occurred in 1966 when the adjacent Governor's Hall was used to increase floor space.
Bagdasarian moved the Autorama once again into three buildings at the Cal expo in 1970, and entries increased to about 175. Two of the buildings were used for displays and the third was converted to a 1,500 seat movie theater. From that location, the Autorama has expanded to more buildings to accommodate its present day exhibition of nearly 300 of some of the most spectacular customs, hot rods and specialty vehicles in the world.
 
Bagdasarian carried on with the show through the 70's and 80's. In the late 80's he teamed with Sacramento businessman Don Tognotti, who went on to be the Producer of the Sacramento Autorama through the 1999 event. In February of 1999, the show was acquired by Dan Cyr Enterprises, Inc. of Portland, Oregon.
 
During its 50 years, spectators at the Autorama have enjoyed entries from the most notable custom car builders of all time. The exhibit halls have been flavored with works of art from George Barris and the Late Sam Barris, Joe Bailon, Dick Bertolucci, Andy and Roy Brizio, Boyd Coddington, Ed and Roy Cortopassi, Joe Cruces, Frank DeRosa, Sam and Chip Foose, Blackie Gejeian, Ermie Immerso, Tommy Ivo, Romeo Palamides, Bill Reasoner, Don Tognotti, Dennis Varni and Gene Winfield, just to name a few.
 
Over time, creations such as Golden Sahara, Golden Sahara ll, Munster Koach, Batmobile, Platinum LeMans, Kopper Kart, Surf Woody, Green Voodoo, King T, Glass Slipper, Orange Twist, Golden Star, Mantaray, and the awesome Palamides jet-powered dragsters have been show-stoppers.
 
During the course of its history, the Autorama has established several Special Awards in honor of the customizing industry's pioneers. When Sam Barris passed away in 1967, a memorial award was begun by his close friend Harold Bagdasarian - the "Sam Barris Memorial Award." This trophy is awarded each year for the best use of metal and paint on an all-metal car, because Sam Barris excelled in metal work.
 
In 1991, an award was created to perpetuate the name of the Autorama's founder. The "Harold Bagdasarian Award for the World's Most Beautiful Custom" is presented to a custom car from 1936 to the present that features a silhouette change, including chopped, channeled and/or sectioned bodywork.
 
Other premier prizes at the Autorama have included "The Joe Bailon Award", begun in 1992 and presented to the vehicle owner that has done his or her own bodywork and paint, along with "The Harry Bradley Design Achievement Award" (1996-1999). For the Year 2000 Autorama, new promoter Dan Cyr has established "The Dick Bertolucci Award for Automotive Excellence." This prestigious accolade will be awarded to the owner of a 1972 or older hot rod or custom car entry that meets Bertolucci's personal criteria for "assembly, fit, finish and detail."
 
Hundreds of dazzling vehicles and displays are the key ingredients of the famous Sacramento Autorama, which continues into a new century as one of the country's most popular car events. The tradition, which started out as a simple friendly competition among a few friends, carries on.