2012 Ridler Winning 1955 Ford Thunderbird The Results are in! The 2012 Detroit Autorama's highest award (and the $10k!) goes to the Peace Family for a 1955 Ford Thunderbird that bested the Great 8 at a show where there could have easily been a "Great 12 or 15". The competition was TOUGH! To catch up on photos and info from the show, check these out: -- Toughest field of custom cars I've seen: Rilder's Great 8 Contenders -- Damn Great, but Not Great 8 – Detroit Autorama’s Best -- Going Down – Basement Best at 2012 Detroit Autorama The reasons why this subtly beautiful 'bird won the Ridler may not be apparent in pictures. Heck, I saw it myself and while "blown" away from the super-sano twin turbo hold'n engine compartment, gleaming chrome and dead nuts fit, I thought this was top three in the Ridler's Great 8. I really didn't know who'd win... (who ever does 'cept the judges) So rather than guess why the Bird won, I went to the source. The Peace Family and Greening Auto Company. Now this makes sense... and I should admit, I...

2012 Detroit Autorama - Basement's Best Hot Rods Bottom floor, everyone out! In the far corners of the grand Cobo Center convention hall, escalators carried you down... Down to an area where mortgage size dollars were spent on... mortgages! It's a place where hot rodders and their buddy who could weld hooked up with a dude from work who knew a painter then banded together to make a custom car they could all be proud of. Then Friday night, or Tuesday or whenever they'd terrorize the streets and strips. They're loud, rough and built with the true spirit of, "My Ride is Me". Down the escalator, a birdseye view of the basement turned into a closeup of the "Voodoo Hellion" and the Voodoo Kings car club. In the trophy area, I saw a, "Best Car Club" trophy, so the area clubs bring out their best and put in the extra effort on the setup too... I got tired of seeing thin white rope-like barriers. Dig the custom machined pieces here. Next door was the Brothers Custom display. Why this nasty black coupe (shiny paint and all) with a supremely...

2012 Detroit Autorama Not Ridler Contenders?   I took alota pictures at the Detroit Autorama. I had too...  at first, as I mentioned in the Great 8 Ridler Contender story, I didn't know which of the MANY fine rides at the show were actually in the running for the big award, the Ridler. So... I snapped away. No harm done cause that gives me a great reason to highlight the Autorama's "Not Great 8" hot rods and customs and let you decide if they shoulda been included. That'd mean one of the chosen Great 8 cars would have to go, so you decide... Did the judges pick the right cars? Leave a comment if you have an opinion.   Keep in mind, if any of these cars have been shown before, they're automatically out of the Ridler competition. If anyone knows specifically why one of the following weren't included, please let me know. (I'll speculate too)   As always, click to see the full-size photo.   Not Great 8 - 2012 Detroit Autorama's Best   This 1933 Hot Rod Ford coupe owned by Gregg and Jodi Blackford was built,...

2012 Detroit Autorama Ridler Award Contenders More fun than the republican primary! Vote for your favorite below.   Can't get enough of the Autorama? Check out these other stories: -- Here's the winner! Skip ahead and see the Ridler Winner -- Damn Great, but Not Great 8 – Detroit Autorama’s Best -- Going Down – Basement Best at 2012 Detroit Autorama   It's about time. I've been grabbing photos from friends for long enough. It's time for a personal account of the hot rods and custom cars that make up the Detroit Autorama, especially the best of the best, the Ridler cars. For the 60th Anniversary of the Detroit Autorama, the competition is extra tough... Fact is, I couldn't figure out what cars were the "Great 8"!   Rules for the Ridler are pretty simple: The cars should show: Creativity, Engineering and Workmanship. (What they don't mention is that the winner typically shows all three of these in a way, most likely, never seen before or done in a way that'll cause mouths to hit the floor) Just a few other rules, the Ridler contenders must be showing for...

2011 Ridler Winner - It's Official Picture by: Dan Baker of Alumicraft Well if you were watching Facebook, you'da found out 30 minutes early, but the results are in and this 1956 Ford Sunliner Convertible owned by Bruce & Judy Ricks of Sapulpa, OK is the Ridler winner for 2011 from Detroit Autorama. I couldn't agree more and, in fact, I picked this car to win it on Friday night! Here's what we know about this bad Henry Ford from the Oh-kay: In the custom engine compartment, there's my favorite, the 427 SOHC. Why's it my fave? Have you ever heard one? They rev-up nearly instantly and make a sound like no other. (There's a 60's Sunliner running around Phoenix with one that I need to do a story on!) According the the build card, this is an original 427 SOC "Cammer" motor. (Thus the name, "Suncammer") Sitting on top of  a one-off, custom made, cross ram intake manifold that even has a "Ford prototype" casting number on it (super cool touch!). Feeding fuel are these rare of rare Autolite inline four barrel carbs.  Back in the 60's when...

2011 Ridler Winner? Picture by: Megan Boyd Join hands now as we call upon the spirits of past Ridler Award winners to psychic-ly or maybe psychotic-ly choose the big winner for the 2011 Detroit Autorama. Hear me now great and all knowing Chip Foose, here me wise-one, Mr. Troy Trepanier... are you there? Is that you Tammy Ray? Help me Obi-Wan Don Ridler! I see a Ford. It's AMAZING! It even has a Ford engine in it... an original 427 SOC "Cammer" motor at that. Thus the name, "Suncammer". On top of a one-off cast intake manifold sit equally rare Autolite inline four barrel carbs. Fantastic!! From there, add interior by Gabe's, all nickel plating by Jon Wright Custom Chrome Plating and custom mixed Dupont Hot Hues and I see our new champ! I give you the 1956 Ford Sunliner Convertible owned by Bruce & Judy Ricks of Sapulpa, OK. Agree? Vote with me or against me here: 2011 Ridler Award Contenders - You Vote I was right! The "Suncammer" took home the Ridler Award and from the comment left by "Grilleguy" over in the voting story, it sounds...

2011 Ridler Award Contenders from World of Wheels Update! Details and more pictures of the 2011 Ridler Winner I was right!! Picked to win early thanks to my psychic friends... 2011 Ridler Winner prediction Story & Pictures by: Megan Boyd The 2011 Detroit Autorama is off to another sizzling start in snowy Detroit, Michigan. No worries, a little snow never slows the dedicated hot rodders that make their way to one of the nation's best known indoor hot rod and custom car show. At this year's 59th Annual Detroit Autorama, the best of the best have again gathered in the Cobo Center to compete for one of the top custom car award in the land, the coveted, "Ridler Award". (To learn more about the Ridler Award, click here) Take a look at these first shots and tell us what you think! Which car's your favorite? Vote down below... Why? (Your opinion counts!) How do this year's car's compare to last year's? Check the 2010 Ridler Award "Great 8" Now the Contenders (in no particular order): "Cooper Head" - 1940 Ford Hardtop owned by Kenneth Tallent of McKinney, TX Class: Radical...

Pictures by: Doug Nykanen The votes are in both in Cobo Hall at the Detroit Autorama and here at MyRideisMe.com where you could Vote for your favorite "Great 8" car.  Funny thing is, by 2 votes, the very unofficial voting picked "Gold Digger" same as the judges in Detroit. We'll have more pictures of the Ridler winner and the rest of the Detroit Autorama soon, but for now, here's the shots we have of this beautiful hot rod. At this level, every car is perfect. Without sitting inside or hearing from the builders how they did it or why, or maybe cranking up the tunes, we just get to stare and go... yea, that's extremely well done. Anyone have a picture showing this engine compartment in a little more detail? (I asked, and Kevin from extrudabody.com hooked me up! Thanks to Tammy, the owner for sending it to him) Notice: A total lack of wires, even for what's must be electronic fuel injection.  When's the last time you looked under the hood of a modern car. If you'd remove the over-sized engine cover, you'd see a MESS of wires...

Story by: Megan Boyd Pictures by: Doug Nykanen Vote for your favorite in the poll below... then check out the 2010 Ridler Award Winner - Story Here Help Choose the 2011 Ridler Award Winner Here The 2010  Detroit Autorama is off to a hot start in the frigid city of Detroit. The 58th Annual event has once again gathered the best of the best to debut, show, and share their hot rods and customs ranging from the mild to the wild. Make sure to vote for your favorite below. The competition for the prestigious Ridler Award is heating up having drawn contenders from all across the nation, including 2 cars from Washington state. The Great 8 finalists for the award  include the usual Fords and Chevys as well as two unique makes this year-- Packard and Dodge. In addition to the variety of makes there has also been a cross selection of body styles chosen-- a roadster, 2 coupes, a Victoria, a touring phaeton, a two door sedan, and a pick up truck--which could make history as being the very first pick up to win the Ridler Award.  (To learn more about the Ridler Award, click...

After a lot of hard work, plus multiple trips to Lowes, Home Depot, the old backyard shed, the shop rafters, & even some garbage picking, the Autorama display is finally done! It looks so freakin' awesome! Many thanks to everybody that helped make this come together. I thought everybody might like to get a sneak-peek of our new display, because once we added the proper details, the lettering, & got the lights working, it really came to life. (www.SinglefingerSpeedShop.com) It's so realistic that Wayne wanted to know where we found the old panels, even as he was touching them! (killer work Todd & Tom!) The attached photo was taken just before we broke it back down & put in a trailer until showtime next week. I don't know how our pal Martyn avoided getting captured on "film", but I've posted a few pics of everybody helping out along the way: 2009 Autorama Display We're excited about introducing folks to our new website at this year's show. My cousin Louie has planned an Autorama Show Special for our new black Monster T-shirts & Singlefinger ball caps. The Singlefinger Car Club...