(Words and photos by Scott Liggett) – The 61st World of Wheels Omaha Autorama rolled into town last weekend. Every March this show is a sign that winter is almost over and us gearheads will be able to start cruising in our hot rods and racing again very soon here in the midwest.

For me, this show has special meaning as this is the very first car show I remember going to when I was about 9 or 10 years old. People near my age remember going to see World of Wheels Autorama at Omaha’s Civic Auditorium. Back then, panel and lace paint jobs with iconic cars that we could build in model kits from Monogram and AMT. This show cemented my interest in building, customizing, and, eventually, driving hot cars.

Now, the show is held down the street at the new Centurylink Center. It’s a different venue, but the feel is the same to me. As soon as I walk in the door and see all that shiny chrome and hot metallic paint jobs spinning on mirrors, I am transported back to when I was a kid first seeing this.

We will have a few galleries of pictures over the next few days. If you ever have a chance to hit up an indoor car show during the cold winter months, definitely go. It will kick start some new ideas for your own project car.