The 51st Fresno Autorama was held at the Convention Center downtown on March 19-21.

America’s premier indoor car show featured over 200 custom pieces from across the US and Canada. Each piece was meticulously restored and customized by collectors and craftsmen who pour seemingly-unreal amounts of hours and money into their showpieces.

Not only did the cars have indisputably excellent interiors and paint finishes, but often had been completely rebuilt from the chassis (frame) up, including the engine, transmission, suspension, front and rear ends and drivetrain.

Each piece of art in the impressive collection inspired awe, and just when I though that I saw the best, I came across another equally, if not more, impressive car.

Owners came from across the nation to show their cars after being exclusively invited by the show’s creator and proprietor Mike “Blackie” Gejeian. Each work was then meticulously and specifically arranged by him inside the convention center.

One owner, Gordy Peters, came from Sun Fish lake, Michigan for the chance to show his car in the Autorama.

“This is my first year coming to the show, and it’s been a wonderful show,” Peters said. “This show is the class act of the country; all the great cars come here.”

Peters’ entry, a classic Chevy station wagon, was definitely one of the more unique works in the show.

“I have a Chevy Handyman,” Peters said. “We bought the body up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and the chassis in Louisiana. We married the two together and made the body modifications, picked out the colors, and this was the end result.”

One of my personal favorites was a 1936 Auburn Roadster called “Slow Burn,” perhaps one of the most original restorations in the show. The car looked as if it had just rolled off the showroom floor.

The automobile was owned by Metallica frontman James Hetfield. However, the car did not portray the typical hard rock persona that one might expect from a Metallica band member. Instead, it displayed the restrained excellence of a classic roadster.

The annual Fresno Autorama featured many crazy and outlandish custom restorations, as well as reserved yet awe-inspiring pieces. The show also featured many custom bicycles and motorcycles that were extravagently done yet still fully functional.

For upcoming car events check out the Clovis Chamber’s Motorsports Jamboree at Bicentennial Park, May 7-8.

For more information, check out Car show-off or the Autorama’s Web site or read the March 31, 2009 article, Autorama rallies motor fans.