Gearhead heaven: Sacramento Autorama at Cal Expo

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Sure, Sacramento is where state lawmakers craft California's laws. And it's sometimes called the "farm to fork capital" of the Golden State.

But for dedicated gearheads, Sacramento is a hotbed of car customization ... a veritable car artist heaven.  And for those folks, your weekend is coming up.

The 73rd version of the Sacramento Autorama will be held Friday through Sunday on Sacramento's Cal Expo grounds, 1600 Exposition Blvd.

The event celebrates the area's rich history of car customization. Presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts, this year's Autorama will feature more than 500 hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, and motorcycles from across the country competing to win numerous awards.

Major awards honor world-famous customizers from the Sacramento area, including Joe "Candy Apple Red" Bailon, Dick Bertolucci and Sam Barris.  The top award is the Harold Bagdasarian Memorial World's Most Beautiful Custom trophy.

New this year is the World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider award, recognizing the show’s most outstanding lowrider entry. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize.

Hundreds more vehicles are expected to participate in the 17th Annual Sacramento Autorama Drive-In, featuring more than 400 cars and trucks.

The Butch Gardner Club House will again be part of this year's show, with more than 25 car clubs showing off their prize wheels. The Club House is organized in memory of Butch Gardner, a long-time member of the storied Thunderbolts auto club in Sacramento and a dedicated Autorama volunteer and participant. Thunderbolts club members played a key role in organizing the first Sacramento Autorama in 1950.

General admission tickets for ages 13 and older are $20 each. Tickets for ages 6 to 12 are $10; children ages 5 and younger are admitted free.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://rodshows.com/sacramento-autorama or at the event. Discount tickets are available at local O'Reilly Auto Parts stores. Parking on the Cal Expo grounds is $10.

Show hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, when major awards will be handed out.

More information can be obtained at www.rodshows.com or by calling 877-763-7469.