Sacramento knows hot wheels.

Just ask the thousands expected to show up for this weekend's 62nd Sacramento Autorama, featuring some of the West's top automotive craftspeople and hundreds of colorful cars. Autorama kicks off its three-day run today at Cal Expo.

Billed as one of the longest-running indoor car shows in the world, this year's event will spotlight more than 450 custom cars, hot rods, classics, motorcycles and specialty vehicles from across the nation.

Those vehicles will compete for dozens of awards in various classifications. Hundreds more cars will be part of the show's Autorama Drive-In on the grounds Saturday and Sunday.

Live music, celebrity appearances, vendor booths and special exhibits also are set up in Cal Expo Buildings A-D, the Pavilion and all eight buildings of the Expo Center.

The show's title sponsor is O'Reilly Auto Parts, the chain operated by O'Reilly Automotive Inc. of Springfield, Mo.

Numerous awards – including the 8-foot-high H.A. Bagdasarian World's Most Beautiful Custom Award – will be handed out at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Autorama was started by Sacramento businessman Harold Bagdasarian in 1950. While serving as president of the local Capitol City Auto Club Thunderbolts, he talked club members into having a show to settle friendly arguments over the merits of their respective customized cars.

The initial show had 22 entries at a downtown Sacramento auto dealership. This weekend's show is spread out across much of the 350-acre Cal Expo complex.

Show ownership has changed hands multiple times over the years. Rancho Cucamonga businessman John Buck took over in 2005 and now runs it and other automotive gatherings under the business name Rod Shows.

"Going back many years, Sacramento is the custom capital of the world … and that's why we always look forward to coming back every year," Buck said.

Besides the massive Bagdasarian trophy, the show's "Big B" awards pay homage to the Sacramento area's rich custom car history:

• The Sam Barris Memorial Award is a tribute to the late customizing wizard. Along with brother George Barris – maker of numerous handcrafted autos appearing in movies and TV series – the Illinois natives moved to Roseville and helped set off the California custom car craze.

• The Joe Bailon Award recognizes Joe "Candy Apple Red" Bailon, the Northern California customizer who created the signature red color that became synonymous with his name.

• The Dick Bertolucci Award of Excellence – presented to the car with the best craftsmanship in assembly, fit, finish and detail – is a tribute to the longtime owner of Bertolucci's Body & Fender Shop in Sacramento. Decades ago, Bertolucci established a national reputation as a top-tier car restorer, and his personal car collection is considered world-class.

Car customizing spread quickly throughout California after World War II, driven by a large group of devoted cruisers and gearheads. Customizers who logged hundreds of hours on one-of-a-kind cars added a new chapter of terms to the automotive lexicon, including decked, chopped, shaved, rolled, nosed, pancaked, pinched and scooped.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Call The Bee's Mark Glover, (916) 321-1184.

• Read more articles by Mark Glover