The 2014 Ridler Winner
Last year’s winner, a bright yellow 1964 Buick Rivera, was a stunner and had people buzzing about it all weekend long before the winner was announced. The young builder J.F. Launier had been a Great 8 finalist in the past and finally made it to the top.
The award is named after Don Ridler, a local Michigan celebrity who excelled in athletics and was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame. He became associated with the Detroit Autorama in the 50s when the still developing event needed a little boost, which is exactly what his addition of professionalism and creativity did. The Autorama became the place to go and see customs and rods that Detroit built. After Don’s premature passing in 1963, the association created the Ridler Award that honors a car builder who demonstrates creativity in their build similar to what Don exhibited in his life.
To be a contender for the award, the car must make its first public showing at the Detroit Autorama – No full body shots, public exhibition of singular parts of the car, no publishing videos of the build, except for isolated areas. No exceptions.
Known as the Great 8, the finalists are announced Friday, which will be March 6th 2015. The Great 8 receive $1,000 cash, but the car is not eligible for any other awards “involving class judging and special awards.”
We’re keeping our eye on the Great 8 contenders and will be in Detroit this weekend. Send us an email if you’ll be there and would like to say hello! We love meeting and catching up with our rodding community.
Some memorable winners in past years:
1966 Winner, ’66 Chevy Malibu SS 396 Funny Car “Chevoom”
1979 Winner, Frank Morabito ’23 T Touring “Garagefather”
1983 Winner Ron Barnum ’29 Ford 3-Door Sedan Delivery “Renaissance Delivery”
1991 Tony Carlini ’33 Ford Altered Street Roadster
2008 Winner Mike Warn ’60 Rambler (“Ferrambo”)
Information on Ridler Award from Autorama site here. Click on each photo for source webpage.
