Detroit Autorama

2017 Detroit Autorama Ridler Award Tribute

2017 Detroit Autorama Ridler Award

DETROIT, MI, February 26 — Buddy Jordan was bubbling with enthusiasm here at the 2017 Detroit Autorama Ridler Award ceremony as his 1933 Ford Renaissance Roadster won the most coveted award in the custom car hobby. The automotive media is swarming Buddy and his Ridler Award winning Renaissance Roadster to get the first photos.

1933 Ford Renaissance Roadster wins 2017 Detroit Autorama Ridler Award
Buddy Jordan with his 1933 Ford Renaissance Roadster and Ridler Award
Buddy gets to where the Ridler winner's jacket
Buddy Jordan, owner of the Ridler Award winner, with builder Steve Frisbie
Steve's Auto Restorations of Portland, OR, built the Ridler Award winner
Jordan soaking in the moment at the Ridler Award ceremony
MHRA presents the Ridler winner's check

Nancy & Buddy Jordan’s 1933 Ford Renaissance Roadster is a beautifully hand fabricated street rod. Designed by Chris Ito and Steve Frisbie, the build was done by Steve’s Auto Restorations of Portland, Oregon. Follow this link to find out all about the custom mods and see more photos.

The Autorama is in its 65th year, and is one of the most talked about custom car events in the world. Some of the best custom car builders are here in downtown Detroit this weekend to compete for the Ridler Award.

The Michigan Hot Rod Association narrowed the field of Ridler Award contenders to eight on Friday. Countless hours have been put into the Great 8 vehicles by some of the industry’s best builders. Winner or not, all of these cars are an accomplishment deserving of their place here at the 2017 Detroit Autorama.

1954 Custom Corvette — Larry & Robbie Griffey’s 1954 Corvette GM Concept Tribute built by Larry Griffey’s Hot Rods & Restorations in Knoxville, TN. Read all about it and view more photos here.

Ed Sears’ 1941 Ford Pickup “The Gold Standard” made the cut for the Great 8. Click here to see more photos and info.

1932 Ford Sedan — George Poteet’s GTP 1932 Ford Tudor was built by Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop in Gadsden, Alabama. Find out more by clicking thru to more photos and info.

The Phoenix Phantom 1929 Ford Pickup took Dennis Portka 24 years to build. Now it is contending for the Ridler Award. Find out more by following this link to more photos and info.

Robby Collvins’ 1949 C-10 Pickup from Mt Vernon, Texas has all the elements of a Ridler Award winner. Click here to see more photos and a video interview.

Ted Hubbard’s 1930 Ford Coupe built by CAL Autumotive Creations. Old school is still cool. See more photos at this link.

Dennis Johnson & Scott Roth’s 1966 Corvette Split Ray is a true fan favorite. Find out more when you follow this link to its photo page.

The 2017 Detroit Autorama is where custom car builders come to display their work and contend for the most sought-after trophy of them all: the Ridler Award. But the Ridler Award is only one aspect of the 2017 Detroit Autorama. Over 1,000 cars were on display at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit during this year’s event. Here are some of the cars we saw here:

1933 Art Deco Ford Roadster owned by Al Kammerer, Bloomfield Hills, MI
1956 Chevy Pickup "Sunset Dream" owned by Jake Bigelow, Clio, MI
Batmobile tribute, many appearances here at the Detroit Autorama over the years
1932 Ford Roadster by One-Off Rod & Custom, Middletown, DE
1955 Chevy Pro Modified owned by Peter Bourikas of Hull, MA
1946 Chevy Rat Hemi Pickup "Maximillion" owned by Richard Cruickshank, Sedalia, CO
1968 Camaro by Ken Riffey's Hot Rods & Restorations, Knoxville, TN
1931 Ford Roadster "Blue Bayou" owned by Chris Evans, Scottsdale, AZ
1972 Plymouth Cuda owned by Bob Marriott, Petrolia, ON
1977 Monza "Color Me Gone" Funny Car, owned by Jim & Julie Matusak, Caro, MI
1948 Anglia 2-Dr owned by David Dadd of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
1969 Dodge Charger "General Lee" stunt jump was spectacular
1965 Pontiac GTO owned by Chuck & Kim Mabe of Friendlyville, TN
"Madam X" 1939 Cadillac 60 owned by Wes Rydell, Grand Forks, ND
1967 Chevy Custom C-10 owned by Rod Parsons of Ripley, WV
1953 Ford Ranch Wagon owned by Scott & Shannon Smith of Naples, FL
1932 Ford Roadster owned by Tom Conlan of Cedar, MN
1932 Ford Roadster, owned by Jeanne Booth, Rochester, MI
1955 Chevy Delray LSA owned by Mike Stowe of Boyne City, MI
UFO, 1966 NHRA National Champion, 1965 Plymouth Hemi Belvedere AF/X
1969 1/2 Plymouth Road Runner owned by Roman Sobilo of Shelby Twp, MI

Cars On Line.com was onhand this weekend to cover all the action live for our readers. The Detroit Autorama is honoring its 65th Anniversary by celebrating the past. Among the show cars are some past Ridler Award winners. See the stunners from shows past in the slide show below:

Chip Foose built 1935 Chevy Master Sedan. It won the Ridler Award in 2002.
Al Bergler's "More Aggravation," Michigan Hot Rod Association's First Ridler Award Winner 1964. This is a re-creation of the original car.
Detroit Tiger AA/FC 1977 Monza Funny Car. It debuted at the 1977 Detroit Autorama and won its class.
1957 Chevy. It made its Autorama debut in 1958. It is shown today in its original, unrestored condition.
The "Crown Coupe" won the ISCA Championship twice, for two different owners as two completely different vehicles.
Detroit's Chuck Miller built the "Fire Truck" in 1967. The car would earn him the coveted Ridler Award in 1968.
1959 Imperial owned by Murray Pfaff.
"Zingers"

The Detroit Autorama has been running annually for 65 years and is the feature event of the Michigan Hot Rod Association. Sponsors for this year’s event include Meguiars and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.

2016 Ridler Award Winner Chosen at Detroit Autorama

2016 Ridler Award Winner is 1939 “Olds Cool” …

The 2016 Ridler Award winner was announced here on Sunday at the 64th Annual Detroit Autorama. The incredible classic custom called “Olds Cool” is a 1939 Oldsmobile Model 60 Convertible freshly built and shown here for the first time. It is owned by Billy Thomas of Corpus Christi, Texas. Thomas made no bones about it. “I came here to win it,” he said, referring to the coveted 2016 Ridler Award, the most prestigious award in the custom car hobby. And, in the Sunday awards ceremony at the Detroit Autorama, indeed he did.

Even before we arrived here on Friday morning the pundits were all talking about the incredible custom called “Olds Cool.” Spectators just couldn’t get enough of “Olds Cool” which would be awarded the 2016 Ridler Award on Sunday. Exterior, interior and the undercarriage were subjects of wonderment and careful study. Words like “flawless” and “cutting edge custom” were always in the conversation.

It was no surprise that “Olds Cool” was chosen to the Great 8 on Friday. All the custom car builders here had it as the odds-on car to beat in the 2016 Ridler Award competition. But Harold Chapman, owner of Custom Hot Rods of Andice, told us he was not taking it for granted. “I’ve been here before,” he told us. “I’ve had flawless cars here in the past and you don’t know till you’ve got the trophy in your hands.” Chapman’s 1968 Corvette won the Goodguys Muscle Car of the Year award in Scottsdale last year. He knows a bit about building show cars. His careful attention to detail is evident in the undercarriage photos in the slide show below.

1939 Oldsmobile called Olds Cool
Owned by Billy Thomas of Corpus Christi, TX. 1939 Olds Cool Great 8 award winner is the last 1939 Oldsmobile Series 60 Convertible known to exist in the world.
Original 455 Olds built by Joe Mondelo, Sr, last big block he built
Only 1939 Oldsmobile Model 60 Convertible, only one left in the world
Original grille tilted back, original headlights with new technology built in
Final build by Custom Hot Rods of Andice in Texas
One-off wheels by Greenings Machine
Paint by Charlie Hutton's Color Studio
This is where this car outclasses all the rest, hidden undercarriage

The paint on “Olds Cool” was done by Charlie Hutton at Charlie Hutton Color Studio. Hutton has painted three of the last four Ridler Award winners. Billy Thomas told us that Joe Mondelo, Sr built the Olds 455 engine. He also said this 1939 Oldsmobile is the last remaining Model 60 Convertible in existence.

Here are some videos we did on “Olds Cool.” One is a Periscope video interview with the owner Billy Thomas. It was recorded on Twitter earlier this weekend. We have a copy of the broadcast here:

We revisited this car today to show you the incredible work done on the underbody of the 1939 Olds Cool Great 8 Award winner. Watch this video to see the detailed undercarriage. To us this undercarriage is like a work of at. Do you agree? Watch the video:

1937 Ford Deluxe Coupe Chosen to the Great 8

His 1937 Ford Deluxe Coupe took ten years to build, but to Dan Walthor from California it was well worth the wait. His beautiful ’37 Deluxe has been chosen as a Great 8 selection, and this evening it could be chosen as the 2016 Ridler Award winner.

At Kenny’s Rod Shop they spent ten years off and on to finish this 1937 Ford Deluxe Coupe. It was a passion for KRS crew to finish this car they simply call the ’37 Deluxe. Readers may know that Ford never produced a ’37 Deluxe Coupe that year so this one-off, all steel car is the only one in existence. Here is a detailed look at this Great 8 contender.

1937 Ford Deluxe Coupe
Owned by Dan Wathor of Rio Linda, CA
Builder, Kenny's Rod Shop in Boise, ID
Ford 427 Stroker,
Custom Built EFI manifold with Arias Hemi Head package
IFS and IRS suspension modified
One-off machined Billet wheels with old school steelie look

We got a chance to talk with the builder of the 1937 Ford Deluxe Coupe just when they told him his car had made the Great 8. Watch as he lets us know what it means to have a car in the Great 8.

We ask our Facebook fans to vote for their favorite to win the Ridler Award out of the Great 8 contenders. All of the Great 8 contenders will be featured on our Facebook page during the weekend. Join the fun and vote for your favorites as you follow our coverage on the Cars On Line.com Facebook page.

1952 Mercedes-Benz 170S Great 8 winner

1952 Mercedes-Benz 170S wins Great 8 at 2016 Detroit Autorama — 1952 Mercedes-Benz 170S is owned by Mark Gooden of Marshall, Missouri. It has been chosen to the Great 8 in the Ridler Award competition.

A 1952 Mercedes-Benz 170S Great 8 winner is not only a rare classic, it is a rare and unusual car to see street rodded. And to be done to this extent and detail … well, let’s just say it is a one-off that you may never see attempted again.

Derick Gooden of Samson Designs was at the show display when they told him his father’s 1952 Mercedes-Benz 170S had been chosen for a Great 8 award to be considered for the Ridler Award. He nearly jumped out of his shoes when they gave him the envelope. Here are some detailed photos of the car:

1952 Mercedes-Benz 170S makes Great 8
Owner Mark Gooden of Marshall, Missouri
Entered in the Radical Hardtop class
Built by Samson Design
Custom billet wheels with one-off hubcaps to effect a classic look
Subtle two-toned paint scheme with handmade floor pans and firewall.
602 Liter all aluminum V8 with Tru Trac serpentine system
Custom Mocha leather upholstry

You can tell be the photos that the undercarriage on this car ranks it right up there with the best for show competition. Obviously the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 170S has been totally built ground up from scratch. Watch the video below to find out just how much time and love went into building this unusual street rod.

Just as Derick was being notified that he had won a Great 8 selection we did this Periscope video from Cobo Hall broadcast live on Twitter.

1939 Olds Cool Great 8 award winner

The display for a 1939 Olds Cool Great 8 award winner is pretty crowded with spectators. People have been straining their heads to get a view of this 1939 Oldsmobile Model 60 Convertible. It is in the running for the 2016 Ridler Award here at the Detroit Autorama. As of Friday night all of the expert builders here at the show had the 1939 Olds Cool Great 8 winner as the odds-on car to beat in the Ridler Award competition. Check back this evening to find out if it wins the Ridler for 2016.

1939 Oldsmobile called Olds Cool
Owned by Billy Thomas of Corpus Christi, TX. 1939 Olds Cool Great 8 award winner is the last 1939 Oldsmobile Series 60 Convertible known to exist in the world.
Original 455 Olds built by Joe Mondelo, Sr, last big block he built
Only 1939 Oldsmobile Model 60 Convertible, only one left in the world
Original grille tilted back, original headlights with new technology built in
Final build by Custom Hot Rods of Andice in Texas
One-off wheels by Greenings Machine
Paint by Charlie Hutton's Color Studio
This is where this car outclasses all the rest, hidden undercarriage

Here are some videos of the 1939 Olds Cool Great 8 Award winner. One is a Periscope video interview with the owner Billy Thomas of Corpus Christi, Texas. It was recorded on Twitter earlier this weekend. We have a copy of the broadcast here:

Australian built X-Boss 1976 Ford Falcon Great 8 winner

1976 Falcon X-Boss Custom Street Machine makes Great 8 at the 2016 Detroit Autorama — X-Boss 1976 Ford Falcon Great 8 winner owned by Chris and Colleen Bitmead of Orange Grove, West Australia

For an Australian built X-Boss 1976 Ford Falcon Great 8 winner to be selected at the Detroit Autorama was a bit of a surprise here in Detroit. Back ten years ago the entrants for the Ridler Award competition were all ’32 or ’33 Ford street rods. For this one to be a street machine and to be from Australia is something for our friends down under to cheer about.

The competition is happening as you read this report here at the 2016 Detroit Autorama. Cars On Line.com has been talking to the owner and even did a live Periscope video on Twitter (see below.) Now Cars On Line.com is asking its readers to vote for their favorite to win the 2016 Ridler Award on their Facebook page. Click here to vote now if you favor this X-Boss 1976 Ford Falcon Great 8 winner to take the Ridler Award.

We told this Australian custom car builder that his steering column was on the wrong side. But he quite rightly pointed out that it was literally on the “right side.”

Australian 1976 Ford Falcon Coupe
Owned by Chris and Colleen Bitmead of Orange Grove, West Australia
Entered in the Full Hardtop class
Chris was determined to build the best XB model Falcon ever
Chris calls it the X-Boss because of the modernized 429 big block
This car is a 2016 Great 8 winner, now vying for the Ridler Award
The "tough" pro touring look is enhanced by minimal use of polished metal or chrome
All fasteners are countersunk and have ceramic coating

Here is a video interview we recorded on Twitter just after Chris Bitmead was notified that his X-Boss had been selected to the Great 8.

Cars On Line will cover the 2016 Ridler Award announcement live on Sunday evening. Watch for our Periscope live broadcast of the announcement on our Twitter page.

1938 Graham Great 8 Award Contender for 2016 Ridler Award

A 1938 Graham Great 8 Award contender was chosen this weekend to vie for the prestigious 2016 Ridler Award. The competition is happening as you read this report here at the 2016 Detroit Autorama. Cars On Line.com has been talking to the owner and even did a live Periscope video on Twitter (see below.) Now Cars On Line.com is asking its readers to vote for their favorite to win the 2016 Ridler Award on their Facebook page. Click here to vote now if you favor this 1938 Graham Great 8 Award contender to win the Ridler Award.

In an interview with Michael Markin, the owner of the 1938 Graham Great 8 Award contender, Cars On Line.com reviewed his “concept car” 5-Window Coupe. He told us he wanted to do the ’38 Graham Model 97 because back in the day Graham had plans to make a coupe, but never got around to it that year. Only the sedan models were built. So Michael decided he would build a coupe himself.

1938 Graham 5-Window Coupe w/suicide door
Owned by Michael and Patricia Markin of Eau Claire, WI
Custom created grille and headlights with classic original theme
Body, paint and fitment by L'Car
Brilliant chrome by Advanced Plating
540 Dart engine built by Donn J. McFarlane
Fabrication by T Lewis, O'Meara's Customs and Donn J. McFarlane
EVOD Industries one-off wheels

Here is the Periscope video broadcast live on our Twitter page and redistributed here for you:

When he was notified that his 1938 Graham had been chosen as a Great 8 car, Markin told us his “feet were 20 feet off the ground.” It was a dream come true. “Everything on this car has been either manufactured, modified or remade to the theme of the car, an art deco car with extreme features,” Markin told us. “Everything has been modified. In fact, the grille has been custom modified. Graham’s theme was ‘Spirit of Motion.’ They had a lot of flowing lines, big fenders and a lot of extreme curves.”