61st Detroit Autorama Ridler Contenders March 8-10, 2013
Detroit, MIFriday, March 8, 2013
The Competition for the Iconic Ridler Award
The Ridler Award was named for Don Ridler, who helped build the Autorama, the 3rd still oldest running show, into the largest show in the country. Starting in the mid-1950’s, Don innovated many ideas that are common to producing auto shows today. When Don passed away in 1963, his efforts were honored by the commemorative Ridler Award trophy for the best car shown for the first time anywhere with the best creativity, engineering, and craftsmanship. All eligible vehicles must prove minimal operability. The “sweep” version of the award, designed by Larry Erickson, first appeared in 1996, is made out of aluminum, first as a casting, then as a CNC machined version in 2001. For 2013, it is plated by Advanced Plating of Nashville TN, with over 3 oz. of gold! The Ridler Builders Trophy is a 1/3 sized-Ridler, that was first presented in 2006. Pirelli came on board in 1997 with the Great 8 Crystal award and $1000 check to each finalist.
The Ridler’s Ball
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Ridler Award, the Great 8 finalists and the Circle of Champions were announced at an evening banquet in the lovely Riverfront Ballroom. This is where those that have been instrumental in the growth of the Detroit Autorama are paid tribute. This year, Chip Foose, the late Bob Larivee Jr., Dwayne Pierce, and Bob Vivian were inducted. The emcee was the famous NHRA announcer, Dave McClelland. Butch Patrico (Show Chairman) and Pete Toundas (Producer), welcomed everyone, and the keynote speaker, Jim Campbell, GM VP of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. Eighty five people received miniature Commemorative Ridler Trophies for their support, work, and participation in the Ridler competition. After the festivities, everyone was asked to sign in gold ink, the 1961 Corvair MHRA-Autorama station wagon that will be auctioned off for charity.
The 2013 Pirelli Great Eight, Don Ridler Award Finalists
Over 60 cars were eligible, and were finally narrowed down to the “Pirelli Great Eight”. The finalists competing for this coveted award, included the 1956 Buick sedan of Mark & Ellen Willman from Blue Grass Iowa; the really straight black 1965 Corvette, C2SS, of Alan Woodall from Cary NC; the 1957 Chevy pickup, Quicksilver, of Alan Beers, from Owosso OK; the Reaper, a 1971 Chevy pickup by Budd Schultz from Washington TX. The remaining four cars were the candy red 1934 Ford coupe, with lift off top, by Christian Harker, from New York NY; and the pretty deep red 1934 Ford Tudor of Ken Seresun, from Sedona AZ; the 1935 Ford phaeton by John Mayer, from Berwyn IL; and finally Ron & Deb Cizek’s electric red 1940 Ford coupe, Checkered Past, from Bennington NE. Every one of these cars could have won hands down a few years ago. Now the difficult task for the judges was to choose the best of the very best. The Great 8 finalists each received a $1000 cash award and a beautiful crystal trophy from sponsor Pirelli Tires, and a custom embroidered Great 8 jacket.
The 50th Annual Don Ridler Memorial Award
Of course, the competition that brings in cars to compete for the coveted Ridler Award has only become stronger every year. The amazing part is the diversity and quality of cars built for this competition. It takes experienced builders, previous winners, and first time builders alike, and determines which car has the best quality, engineering, design, and the least defects, that exemplify the state of the art in car building. The climax on Sunday evening is the awarding of the prestigious Ridler Award and the $10,000 check by GM Performance, to the owner and the similar Ridler Builder trophy to the builder. The winner this year was the amazing red 1940 Ford Deluxe coupe, Checkered Past, which had many subtle body modifications, unique chassis fabrication, and fabulous detailing. Ron & Deb Cizek got the $10,000 check and the gold plated Ridler Award.
John Sanderson