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Screamin’ Scott

Screamin’ Scott

Screamin’ Scott

‘To The Batmobile’: Screamin’ Scott’s Greatest Bucket List Experience at Autorama

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Author Screamin' Scott
The Batmobile like the one from the 1966 TV show Batman

The 1966 Batmobile, featured in the TV show “Batman,” stole the show at the 2024 Detroit Autorama, surrounded by a fantastic display of cars.

The car, which is based on DC Comics, is the closest anyone can get to feeling like they are in the iconic TV series, starring Adam West as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Burt Ward as Dick Grayson/Robin.

Love Of The TV Show And The Batmobile

This is a dream come true, “Batman” was one of my favorite shows growing up. Luckily, my friend Tom Jeron, a curator for the car, showed me around.

The Batmobile touring car from the TV Batman

The Batmobile Tour Car on display at the 71st Autorama at Huntington Place Detroit, Mi

Design Inspiration

Based on the 1955 concept car, the Lincoln Futura, the design weighs 3000 pounds and is powered by a 429 Ford Race engine and is designed to look like a bat, with a scoop on the front that makes it look like a nose, headlights that look like eyes, a mouth where the grill is, and two big fins at the back, making the car look like it has wings. The front window is plastic like an airplane, and the vehicle’s top is “bulletproof” to protect the dynamic duo.

All The Batmobile Gadgets

Sitting in the Batmobile has been on my bucket list for years, and I got to check out some of the coolest gadgets first-hand, including some of my favorite gadgets the caped crusaders used to to fight crime:

  • Anti Theft Control
  • Bat Ray Beam
  • Bat Ram
  • Detect-A-Scope
  • Rocket Tubes
  • Closed Circuit Camera
  • Radar Scope
  • Bat Ray Projector
  • Bat Eye TV Screen
  • Batman Fire Extinguisher
  • Bat Photoscope

Although one gadget I couldn’t find was the ejector seat button, maybe it’s for the best. I’ll never forget this moment, and fortunately, no one arrested or kicked me out of the building for sitting in the Batmobile.

Can You Guess Which Gadget I Forgot?

Detroit Autorama History

The Detroit Autorama: it’s America’s Greatest Hot Rod Show! The show features a select group of 800+ custom and restored vehicles from around the world. More than 140,000 spectators are drawn to Huntington Place over the three day run of Autorama each year. The Detroit Autorama is the quintessential Motor City event, in my estimation. It is a celebration of cars, creativity, and community.  I’ve been attending The Detroit Autorama since the ’90s.  Every time, I have seen new things and had an awesome time.

Ridler Me This, Autorama

The Detroit Autorama is best known as home to the Don Ridler Memorial Award. The award is presented to the “best in show” to recognize the most “outstanding car shown for the first time.” The Riddler Award has been won by many well-known car designers and builders, such as Chip Foose, Jerry Pennington, Troy Trepanier, and Bobby Alloway.  Read on to find out more about the history of the Ridler Award.

Joel’s Notes

When I was a kid, I always got to go to Autorama as a birthday present. It started the year that Fonzie’s Motorcycle (from everyone in America’s favorite TV Show- Happy Days!) was a big attraction (1976?). When we finally got through the massive crowd to get a look at it, there was Fonzie’s Triumph Trophy TR5 motorcycle behind velvet ropes! It was slowly dripping oil into one of those big disposable tin foil pans that you bake a turkey in on Thanksgiving. Autorama has been something special to me every year since.

I have been so lucky to have worked at Rock and Roll Radio stations like WCSX that have appeared at Autorama over the last few decades! The best time was working at the WCSX Booth a few years ago. About 40 years after first seeing Fonzie’s motorcycle, Henry Winkler was appearing at Autorama (2023). He was walking past the WCSX Booth, on his way to sign autographs. I looked up, we made eye contact, and I said “Hello, Henry.”  He stopped, looked me right in the eye, and said “Hello!”  It only lasted a couple of seconds, but it was a warm, genuine friendly greeting!  I felt like I was 7 years old again! Henry Winkler has always been, and always will be, “Cool”!

Hanging with Henry Winkler at Detroit Autorama

Hanging with Henry Winkler at Detroit Autorama

Memories of The Detroit Autorama

  • Did Bob Seger Play Autorama?

    Yes, Bob Seger DID play Autorama! In the late ’60s and early 70’s Autorama started adding other exhibitions and attractions to Autorama. This included Soap Box Derbies, an MPC Model Car Contest, the Miss Autorama Contest, and live music. Bob Seger performed at several Autoramas. Detroit rock legends, Alice Cooper and Mitch Ryder, also performed live at Autorama. The Bob Seger System first played Autorama in 1968. The Amboy Dukes and The Rationals also played throughout the three-day event.

    Despite our best efforts, we were unable to find any photos or recordings of the performances, but here’s early Bob… “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” was released in 1968.

  • Location, Location, Location

    The first Detroit Autorama was held at The University of Detroit Memorial Building (today’s Calihan Hall) on January 31 and February 1, 1953, with only 40 cars. It was hosted by members of the Michigan Hot Rod Association (MHRA), which was made up of smaller clubs at the time such as The Motor City Modifieds, Bearing Burners, Spark Plugs, The Road Kings, Shifters, and Milwinders.

    The Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum was home to Autorama from 1954 to 1960.

    In 1961 , the 9th Annual Detroit Autorama was the first to be held at the new Cobo Hall (today’s Huntington Place). That year featured a new-record: 230 cars displayed in Cobo’s basement. The show started to gain national attention and attract car creators like George Barris (The Original Batmobile, The Monkee Mobile, etc. ), Darryl Starbird, Carl Casper, and “Big Daddy” Ed Roth. The 2024 Autorama features 5 generations of Gotham City vehicles including the original Batmobile.

    American actors Burt Ward (left), as Robin, and Adam West, as Batman, ride in the Batmobile in a still from the television series, 'Batman,' c. 1967. (Photo by 20th Century Fox/Courtesy of Getty Images)

    American actors Burt Ward (left), as Robin, and Adam West, as Batman, ride in the Batmobile in a still from the television series, ‘Batman,’ c. 1967. (Photo by 20th Century Fox/Courtesy of Getty Images)

  • The Don Ridler Award's History

    In 1964, the MHRA created the Don Ridler Memorial Award to recognize the most “outstanding car shown for the first time.” Don Ridler was a big part of his community throughout his life.  He did a lot to promote and expand Autorama. Don was the first professional promoter hired by the Autorama organizers. Don was a creative thinker.  The Ridler Award was named in his honor to salute creativity: both Don’s creativity and the creativity of those building cars. Find out more about Don Ridler’s life and accomplishments here.

    The Don Ridler Memorial Award

    The Ridler Award may be one of the most misunderstood prizes in the automotive world. Most folks know the award is handed out at Detroit's Autorama each year, but few know more than that.

  • The Great Eight

    Around 2000, The Ridler Award had another layer added: The Great Eight. Eight cars are chosen to be finalists for The Ridler Award. Around this time as well, the builds for the Ridler Award moved from individuals to professional builds.  TV personality, Chip Foose has won The Ridler Award four times… that’s more than any other team or individual.

    Chip Foose: Transportation Design Alumni Story

    Perhaps the world's top hot-rod designer, Chip Foose and his contributions to the automotive industry have become legendary in a relatively short amount of time.

Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin’ Scott has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for 30-plus years. With 40 years of experience in radio. When he’s not out on the streets for WCSX, you can find him devoting time to local charities with his, “Screamin Angels”; and for 16 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. And last 10 years with his local band, "Chit!." Screamin Scott likes to write about nostalgic Detroit area memories, classic rock, and local metro Detroit topics.

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