More from Detroit - My coverage of 2012 Cobo Autorama Main Event

[tim boyd]

http://public.fotki.com/funman1712/2011-cobo-autorama-/2012-cobo-autorama-/2012-cobo-autorama-/

Thanks for looking....TIM

[jas1957]

Some very nice cars. But just looking at the pics I can see what you mean about the vibe in the basement.

[Modelmartin]

Cool stuff, Tim. Some cool almost original ideas and a lot of copycats. Nothing has changed! Stuff gets recycled and reinterpreted.

I had no idea that the Manta Ray still existed. The Pre-war Maserati GP Chassis it sits on is probably worth more than the car as it is now!

[Joe Handley]

Did the Manta Ray predate the Hot Wheels toy brand?

[Roncla]

Thanks for sharing. There is always plenty of inspiration to be found at these shows

[tim boyd]

Did the Manta Ray predate the Hot Wheels toy brand?

Ray, yes, the Manta Ray was completed in 1964. The earliest Hot Wheels I recall are around 1968 or so (although I am by no means a Hot Wheels expert).

TIM

[FASTBACK340]

Great stuff Tim! Thanks for posting! Cobo is on my bucket list, along with a few others.

I must admit.... the most clever fictitious shop truck was Viagra Falls Lumber. I laughed pretty good at THAT door art!

[espo]

Thankyou for sharing. Real great looking show. The number of El Caminos is unusuall. The black '59 with the Fuel Injection is real special. If it realy is a factory F.I. car it is the only El Camino so equipped that I have ever heard of.

[tim boyd]

David, not just FI but Factory A/C as well....

Was really cool to see the A/C setup inside, although my picture really doesn;t show it all that well...

...check out just below the right steering wheel spoke...

[Dr. Cranky]

Tim, thanks for the great eye candy . . . I love the color of this machine:

[tim boyd]

Tim, thanks for the great eye candy . . . I love the color of this machine:

Virgil, this was one of my top two favorites at the show, and probably would have been my vote for the Ridler award.

The color in the photo is very accurate to the color of the real car, and like you, I really liked it.

But to me, the very coolest thing about this car was that amidst all the fantastic craftsmanship and finishes throughout the car, the engine itself looked nearly 100% restored stock, right down to the perfect Pontiac Engine Blue paint. That sealed it for me....

Best regards...>TIM