Detroit Autorama Favorites - Chris Voyles Picks MyRideisMe.com's show sponsor: Auto Meter Gauges Who's Chris Voyles? He's the dude with the GIANT camera hustling around the Detroit Autorama so you can enjoy what we saw from your computers and phones. I recruited Chris to help me with photos and get his favorites from his first year at the Detroit Autorama. Here's what he thought... He's shy so let him know if he screwed this up. We might be able to shame him into a reply? Also see Chris' picks for Ridler Contenders that weren't. Words and pictures by Chris Voyles: (High quality pictures!! Click to see full size) Walking around the 2013 Detroit Autorama, I made note of the cars I considered my favorites. Just some very nice rides that made me take notice and click a few extra shots. 1968 Dodge Charger R/T: I grew up around cars as a kid and by far this is the car I want most of all! See, my Dad had 1968 Charger R/T very close to this one here, minus the Hemi motor. His was also red with a black top but...

There's an Upstairs? Basement at the 2013 Detroit Autorama See all the pictures from the Basement - Hot Rods and Custom Cars For years now Autorama has been separated into two levels - the main floor and the basement. The main floor is the area that most people used to think of when thinking of the Detroit Autorama. The basement is where the ‘other’ cars go... In the past this ranged from tuners to rat rods. I used to hate going into the basement, and getting past the thumping bass and laser lights of the tuner crowd just to see a couple of cool lead sleds. For the last four years or so, the ‘rat rod’ movement in the Detroit area has grown substantially, and with the embracing arms of show organizers (Rudi and Dennis), the basement has turned into a main event. Photo courtesy of J. V. Drenzek & Associates The high gloss facade, high buck cars with their mirrored displays and bright lights upstairs becomes a distant memory as you ride the escalator down. Greeting you at the bottom is neon lights, pinup girls and rockabilly music...

2013 Detroit Autorama - Voyles' Picks For Ridler Award Words and Pics by Chris Voyles MyRideisMe.com's show sponsor: Auto Meter Gauges   The 2013 Detroit Autorama was a great one indeed with eight cars nominated for the prestigious Ridler Award. These cars where exceptionally nice, but I think it’s safe to say we all said to ourselves, “Hey! Why wasn’t that car nominated?”   We’ll Pikesan and I thought the same thing... while he's still deciding which rides he would have picked, I'm done! Here's a few of the custom cars I thought were the best of the best, and could have, or should have been nominated.   1961 Impala: This was a very nice done 1961 Chevy Impala owned by Gil & Janet Losi. The body channeled, shaved, nosed, decked and roll pans worked... it flowed very nicely. The chassis on the car was done by Morrison Custom and finished off with Ridetech air suspension. The Impala had a 2,000 hp 540 cubic inch twin turbo motor  by Mike Moran between the fender! Completely stunning car!   1934 Ford: Bill Hughart is the owner of this awesome 1934 Ford hot rod....

2013 Ridler Award Winner: 1940 Ford MyRideisMe.com's show sponsor: Auto Meter Gauges The Results are in! The 2013 was a tough competition! After talking to just about everyone I knew... I think the consensus pick is the winner. This 1940 Ford is outstanding top to bottom, and as owner Ron Cizek told me, "It's too bad the car's not displayed upside down!" You can check the detail pictures in the gallery below. I overheard it's the same/similar setup as the unbelievable 2007 Ridler Award winner, a 1936 Ford called, "First Love". Just my opinion, the paint, by Charlie Hutton, and the gold accents just set it off. There literally was no other car like it, and to win the Ridler Award, there shouldn't be. I'm happy to have shot it Sunday morning without the HUGE crowds in the Cobo Center, especially with the hood down. It's even more impressive! Hats off to all the other Ridler Contenders. As always, there'll be some discussion, dissention and plain-old calls of bullshit! But... from my point of view, this classic hot rod '40 Ford was the winner. I'll do my best to contact the owner...

2013 Detroit Autorama - Pikesan's Picks for Best of Show MyRideisMe.com's show sponsor: Auto Meter Gauges Like last year, I took too many pictures. I couldn't stop! To do my best to quickly-as-possibly share what I have and what I liked, I'm loading up the MyRideisMe picture gallery. There's 200 events covered since 2007, so lots to see, something for everyone... including - The Best of the 2013 Detroit Autorama. The rest of the BEST pictures and info are here. This wasn't a Ridler Contender? (Insert confused look here) 1934 Ford 5 Window Coupe Last year, I did a "Shoulda-been Great 8" story from the 2012 Detroit Autorama. I'm putting that story together, and when I do, this will top the list. Not only is the car way-over-the-top RIGHT ON traditional cool... it's also displayed beautifully and has an amazing Darryl Hollenbeck paint job. It's called, "Iron Orchid". Look for more pictures in a feature story soon. When my 1927 Roadster Grows up: 1927 Ford Model T Roadster This Brothers Custom Automotive hot rod was parked down in the basement. Just like last year, Brothers brought out the heavy guns...

2013 Detroit Autorama - Ridler Award Contenders MyRideisMe.com's show sponsor: Auto Meter Gauges If you're 6'4" you don't need a ladder... might as well use the height for some good and give another look at the "Great 8" cars contending for the coveted Ridler Award. After another day at the show, the winner's unknown and among friends, there's no clear favorite. (lots of bias tho!) Ridler Award Contender - 1934 Ford Sedan Gotta show the slick sedan from Arizona some love. It's an amazing color, even in the brutal lights inside Detroit's Cobo Hall. Ridler Award Contender - 1965 Corvette After talking to the good people at Greening Auto Company, especially Jesse Greening, the chief builder, we're learning more and gaining more respect for this gorgeous Corvette. Ridler Award Contender - 1940 Ford Barely visible is the matching gold of the flathead over shadowed by the menacing blower. We briefly saw the hood down and the doors closed before this happened: This is the judges doing their thing. They go over every part of the car, including the build books to learn what makes one car more amazing than...

2013 Detroit Autorama - Ridler Award Contenders It's Time! Detroit's here and we've got all the "Great 8" shots up and ready for you to pick a favorite. This year, they let us know a little earlier who the greats were, a rough job since I heard there were upwards of 50 cars in contention. Look for a great post coming soon of, "Shoulda-been's" or just bad-to-the-bone rides that somehow weren't selected as Ridler finalists.   Trending now: 2014 -Ridler Award "Great 8" Contenders?   No use arguing over that now, the Great 8 contenders choices have been made, so now it's time to pick a winner. This is gonna be a TOUGH one! What's your choice? Pick your favorite and let us know in a comment at the end. If you need pictures to decide, go to Taller than you! More Great 8   Devil in the Details: For each owner or builder, I asked: "What trick detail are you especially proud of that somebody might walk right by?" Hear what they said and enjoy the pictures to go with.   As usual, click on any pictures, even...

What Custom Car Show has the TOP Hot Rod?  This contest is CLOSED as of 5/5/13. Thank you. Got an opinion? Speak up now and win a set of Auto Meter Gauges worth $500! I believe: The Ridler Award - handed out at the Detroit Autorama in Feb/March America's Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award - handed out in January at the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) Are the most prestigious car show awards a hot rod or custom car can win. I suspect few, if any, will disagree. Well do ya? Let's talk about it! To settle the score and to check-the-pulse of MyRideisMe.com readers, I've arranged a detailed look at past Ridler and AMBR winners RIGHT HERE. Take yourself back a few years, then answer: Which car show presents the best hot rod or custom? Taken year by year, side by side... pick one! Then at the end of this post, cast your vote and you'll have a chance to win the Auto Meter Gauges. (Click on any picture for a larger, closer look.) I'm also posting links to the contenders (called, "Great 8" in Detroit) for each award for...

Hot Rod Pinstriping from Detroit I've been to many shows in the west... California, especially SoCal has hot rod shows or a cruise-in just about every day of the week and you can count on it on several on the weekends. So it's easier to grab pinstriping shots from the big shows like Grand National Roadster Show or LA Roadster Show or even Viva Las Vegas. So how does the pinstriping out in Detroit stack up to the west? You tell me. (Comment below, you don't have to join anything...) [nggallery id=63] See all of the MyRideisMe.com coverage of Detroit Autorama:  Detroit Autorama Hot Rods and Custom Cars or you can go straight to more pinstriping here: Pinstriping Features and Pictures I'm always looking for good pinstriping pictures. Got any to share? Please get in...

1931 Model A Hot Rod with Something More Hot rod builds start all kinds of ways... some with an engine taking up space in the corner of your garage, some with pop's left over parts or a great swap meet find. This one started with a can of flat green paint. Voodoo Larry's a well know name in hot rods and custom cars. For some 30 years, Larry's been building custom cars and worth noting including the "Voodoo Idol" shown hear with the lovely, November 2012 Pinup of the Month Monica Renee. Larry runs Voodoo Larry Kustoms out of Elk Grove Village, IL where in his words, "The shop is not state of the art, but VooDoo Larry puts his heart and soul into every build and modification." For Larry's latest creation, "Voodoo Psychosis" the first thing you might notice is the wheels. (if you're not currently looking at Ms. Renee!) These are 1939 Dodge "high clearance" wheels, not to be mistaken for "Milk truck" wheels. The fronts are 20's and out back 18's wear  7.50-18 Firestones. Larry waited 10 years to find a set, then made a deal...

Traditional Hot Rods, Drag Racers & Muscle Engines Sponsored by Speedway Motors - Build your hot rod engine with Speedway! #1 Start off with a cold Coors? The Atomic Rocket front engine dragster has a supremely detailed, blown & injected Rocket motor for motivation. Just like when I shot the "17 best wheel and tire" story from the 2012 Detroit Autorama, I made my way around the show shooting the best hot rod engines too. just like wheels and tires, and especially in a hot rod (cause you can see it most times) the engine says, "My Ride is Me" and sets the tone for mild or wild, traditional or... more towards the street rod style. Whatever the case, the shine and for an outside show, the rumble let's people know what's on your mind. What are these folks saying?? (Click any image for the full size picture) So here's my favorites... divided into: Drag Racers Muscle Engines (what else ya gonna call them?) Traditional Hot Rods (reserved for the flatheads!) Tell me what's your favorite or if I shot your engine... I'll put your name with the picture....

Wide Whites Walls, Redlines & Muscle Car Style & Speed #1 Kicking of the "Wide Whites" collection of pictures - this sled had a custom hub-cap, I think... that doubled as a secret agent weapon. Walking around the 2012 Detroit Autorama, I took in what must be a FULL charge of hot rods, customs and full-tilt show cars when it came to the Ridler Contenders. Then, while shooting this over the top, flamed custom shown above, it hit me... what says, "My Ride is Me" more than your wheel and tire choice? (Click any image for the full size picture) So here's my favorites... they'll be divided into: White Whites Modern/Race and Muscle Which one's are your favorites? (leave a comment below and we'll discuss) Photos of Tires & Wheels at the 2012 Detroit Autorama #2 Custom Mercury with wide whites and 'caps. Can someone help me out with the name of these hubcaps? #3 This bright green hot rod pickup chose red steelies, mostly covered by a slick hubcap (custom center?) then covered'em with a white wall cheater slick. #4 Buick Riviera sport'n wide whites and Supreme's. A...