Celebrating the 2026 Builder of the Year

A legend in the lowrider and custom paint scene, Steven Santos of TekniKolor was honored as the 2026 Builder of the Year. Known for his mesmerizing candy paint jobs and surgical attention to detail, Santos showcased a stunning lineup of his team’s latest builds throughout the weekend. His recognition serves as a testament to his role as a cornerstone of Bay Area car culture and his continued influence on the industry.
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Traditional Rod and Custom Excellence

Charlie and Alanna Butts were named Grand Champion of the ARP Fasteners West Coast Challenge Car Show Series. Their 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible took home the prestigious “Best of the West” award after competing in at least four select events across Washington, Oregon, and California. For winning the competition, the Butts received a $12,500 grand prize, while the first and second runners-up were awarded $6,500 and $3,500, respectively
For the third consecutive year, the show crowned the World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider. The title and a $5,000 prize presented by ARP Fasteners were awarded to Juan Montero for his 1963 Chevrolet Impala Convertible.

Major Honors and Community Impact

Beyond the main stage, other major awards highlighted the diversity of the craft. Tony Lucero Jr. earned First Place Radical Kustom for a build that pushed the boundaries of traditional metalwork. The event also proved its heart is as big as its engines, as the Pinstriper Charity Auction raised thousands of dollars for the UC Davis Children’s Hospital, continuing a long-standing Autorama tradition of giving back to the local community.

Other significant honors included the four historic “Big B Awards”:

• H.A. Bagdasarian World’s Most Beautiful Custom Award: Won by Homer Diaz with a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air
• Sam Barris Memorial Award: Selected by the Barris family for best metalwork, alignment, and paint, awarded to Taylor Yager’s 1937 Lincoln Zephyr
• Joe “Candy Apple Red” Bailon Memorial Award: Presented to Ernie Enriques for their 1947 Dodge Coupe.
• Dick Bertolucci Automotive Excellence Award: Awarded to Steve Castellano and his 1956 Ford Panel.

The Legacy of the 75th Anniversary

The Sacramento Autorama isn’t just a car show; it’s a living museum. Founded by Harold Bagdasarian in 1950, it remains one of the longest-running indoor car shows in the world. This year’s event featured a special 75th Anniversary display that reunited past winners of the “Big B” awards, named after local legends Bagdasarian, Barris, Bertolucci, and Bailon, reminding everyone why Sacramento remains the ultimate destination for custom car enthusiasts.

“This weekend wasn’t just a celebration of Sacramento’s hot rodding roots, it was a statement about where the craft is today,” said John Buck, owner of Rod Shows. “Seeing builds like Nick Rogers’ ’36 Ford Coupe take top honors made our 75th anniversary one of the most competitive and inspiring shows we’ve ever hosted. From the world-class customs to the lowrider community and our Builder of the Year tribute to Steve Santos, this year truly showcased the best of the best.”