"The Great Eight"...Detroit Autorama Ridler Contenders

[hotrodladycrusr]

As most know the Detroit Autorama is the home of the prestigious Ridler Award. Yeah, I know, it's not traditional but I'm going to post some photos of them anyway. Whether we like it or not, these cars are/will be a part of hot rod history in the years to come.

I don't believe there was/is a clear runaway winner this year. You be the judge.

'32 Chevy
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-2-2.jpg

'66 Chevy II Nova
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-1-4.jpg

'33 Ford Roadster
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-1-5.jpg

'34 Chevy Phantom Sedan..... this is not a fiberglass car
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-1-1.jpg

'32 Ford Roadster..... this took the Yosmite Sam Design Award and I beleive will also win the Ridler Award
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-1-2.jpg

and three Willys??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-1-3.jpg

'41 Willys Coupe
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-2-3.jpg

'41 Willys p/u..... I was not impressed with this one what so ever. I feel there were/are many other contenders much more deserving then this one. But thats just my opinion.
http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-2-1.jpg

The winner will be announced early evening tomorrow and I'll post when I get home....along with any other HAMB memebers that might have gotten recognition for their skills, hard work, and dedication to our passion. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'll also add a few more photos to this post to give it more of a traditional feel.
Here is my StarPhoto (http://photo.starblvd.net/DetroitAutorama) album which I'll continue to add photos to for the next couple of days. I took over 300 hundred and I've just started to weed thru them.

I'd also just like to add that I've had an AWESOME weekend seeing old HAMB buds and meeting so many new faces. It was wonderful to be able to put names with faces and truely an amazing thing when so many folks, from so many different walks of life, and age groups, can get together for a day/weekend of fun. I lost count but I think there was over 50 HAMB folks in attendance.

[NortonG]

I must fully agree. That car is beuuuTyful. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Hot Rod To Hell]

300 hundred photos!?!?! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif What kinda memory card you got for that camera Denise!?!?! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[hotrodladycrusr]

Well.......Beatnik was WAY too generous last Monday. He came over to pick up his pass and presented me with a gift of a 256MB card! He's a great guy and a very special friend. I'm a very lucky gal.

THANKS Gus!

[Skate Fink]

.....this was posted on a pinstiping board by Rob "Caffine"
http://s93994240.onlinehome.us/other/autorama_sat/IMG_3028.JPG

[Levis Classic]

32 roadster for me!

[customcarpainter]

Who built the Nova?

[48_HEMI]

I know don't shoot the messenger,

Glass cars with big wheel really get me excited. my guess that the two chevvvy's were the only steel cars there, and I don't feel they should be contenders. (they are all nice just not special)
looks like a great show and they always set the mood for the new season.
I just get burn out this time of year, I work on those kind of cars till the show season starts then I get to work on real world cars for 8-9 months.
thanks Denise your photo's are always top notch and you do get around.
let me know when BIG OLDS is ready for glass http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif maybe I can cut some out of steel http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[JimC]

I want one! Dont care which one, just want one.

Jim

[flatheadpete]

Same ol crap, different year. I really like the Chevy II though. The Willys' are kinda boring. Look like every other one out there. The Moal built roadster is pretty cool. The Injected Chevy is super bitchin' with that kick ass induction. My vote? The moal car.

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Actually, the red Willys is all steel. The guy who owns it had it since 1958. It just finished a tour of 3 shops over the last 12 years. (That is 3 assembly shops, not including paint and interior) I don't know the actual figure... but in the last 12 years the guy claims to have sunk $650,000 into it (including stuff that had to be redone twice or three times) He is a retired police officer who invented something and made lots of $$$$. I'm guessing it wasn't a common sense machine...
It (I believe) is a 39 with a 41 front clip. We sell to the guy who finished it. There is tons of work that you cannot see in it... just doesn't make enough of an impact to win it all...especially since he's not from Michigan and his builder isn't a name.

[choprods]

Those are all great looking cars.......having said that- I feel sorry for those guys. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Smokin Joe]

Thanks Denise. I just came in from shoveling my sidewalk again. Nice to know the rest of the world is still running.

[MrGasser]

Did you look at the photo album for that red Willys?...it was an actual gasser, he has owned it since he was 16...

[MrGasser]

...that was when he bought the blower and 4-port Hilborn..

[Michigan Rick]

Thanks for the pics....... That is why we all love you and everyone else who shows pics of shows. There is hardly a reason to buy a mag. anymore with 300 more pics than will ever be in any mag.!!! I liked Voodoo Child and still really dig Chris's Starliner...... In my big dollar left side of my brain........the UPS panel from Ford.

Thanks Denise as always.

[hotrodladycrusr]

And the 2004 Ridler winner is.........

http://photo.starblvd.net/~DetroitAutorama/5-1-3.jpg


The owner was very nice and made probley the best Ridler winner speech I've ever heard, giving everyone alittle background of his STEEL '37. He said it was professionally raced from 58-62 and I believe he said he's owned it for 49 years, 10 years longer then he's been married to his wife. He receieved 2 standing ovations from a room full of his peers. Well deserved, but I still liked "Sedeuced", the Steve Moal, hand built, all steel and aluminum '32 Ford Roadster better http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Thirdyfivepickup]

WHOLLY SHIT!

My guy won??? I'm friggin speechless! That car sat in a trailer a block from my childhood home for years! I'm smiling!!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And the coolest thing about it is the guy who built it, er, finished it, is a little guy with some amazing skills! A great guy!

(guess its a good thing that Foose didn't have anything at the show!!)

[Roadsters.com]

Thanks for this post, Denise.

The red Willys is a beautiful car. Lots of little details and suble tricks. I like it when the lines of the car do the talking. And these cars sure look better with the side trim left intact.

It's also neat that the award went to somethng that looks relatively "normal" rather than a phantom. The Willys must be a real crowd pleaser, too.

Nobody would deny that Steve Moal is one of the masters. For the Willys to have won, it must be one of the most outstanding hot rods ever built.

- Dave
http://www.roadsters.com/

[Skate Fink]

Denise,
Thanks! Not only for the photo and report, but also for the story. I never would have guessed this one. Your story makes it all make sense and makes it much more enjoyable... (you too 35p/u)

[InPrimer]

Denise,pleasure to meet you,I'll be back in Detroit in 05 for sure.Mrs Inprimer wants to know why HRLC fingerprints or on my left rear pocket(?)

[CherryBlossom]

[ QUOTE ]

The red Willys is a beautiful car. The Willys must be a real crowd pleaser, too.



[/ QUOTE ]


lol....something like that.........

[kustombuilder]

WTF http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif? i'm not one to trash anyones car but come on. it's G-damn RED Willys, with a friggin SMALL BLOCK CHEVY for cripesake. it was definately well done, but as smoothed out as it was EVERYWHERE it may as well been a fiberglass car. i sure as hell would'nt be bragging about spending nearly a million dollars on that thing. in y opinion he won more on thefact he owned the car since he was 16 than the design of the car. again, the quality was great but i just found it BLAH, and i like Willys coupes alot. i though design counted for something. and don't even get me started on the cheezy $50 billet wheels. just another RED, blown small block, tubbed out Willys. no offense to anyone involved with it, but it would have been my absolute LAST pic for the Ridler.

[zman]

I would've voted for anything that didn't have ugly ass billet wheels. Really anything. I hate those damn wheels...

[Fat Hack]

I kinda have to agree with Kustombuilder. The heart-wrenching story and the hype, along with the wooden fence around the thing were interesting to some degree, but the car itself was very forgettable...it just blends into the sea of OTHER bright red, billet wheeled, small block Chevy powered show cars. Truly, it WAS screwed together okay...but that should only carry you so far. Do people sit up many nights in a row racking their brains, only to jump up and shout "EUREKA! I'll paint it RED...and, and, and...I'll put a SMALL BLOCK CHEVY in it!!! It's gonna be SO cool!!!"????

To clarify....does the Riddler Award go to the best OWNER, or to the best-built, most inspiring CAR?

If it goes to the OWNER, then the right guy probably won. To own a car for so long and to bring it full circle from high school toy to show winner is a pretty commendable feat...

...but to overlook the stunningly well executed roadster in favor of ANOTHER bright red Willys with a small block Chevy and off-the-shelf billet wheels comes off as a shame to me. Creativity and originality obviously mean NOTHING if the award is to be presented to that Willys based on the car itself and NOT the story (or money) behind it.

Don't get me wrong, I honestly don't care WHO wins...but I have to wonder WHY???

[hotrodladycrusr]

[ QUOTE ]
Who built the Nova?

[/ QUOTE ]

Built by a shop called Roys in Pasadena, TX. I believe the owners last name was Pickford. He took many awards but off the top of my head I can't remember which ones.

The Nova was very well received by his peers at the awards ceremony. The way they do the Ridler Award part of it is about every 15 minutes throughout the awards they announce the name of two of the owners and builders (one at a time though), have them stand and take a round of applause till they've introduced all eight of the contenders.

I listen carefully to the clapping and cheering, Steve Moal's actually got the loudest claps and the Nova actually got the second loudest, IMHO. I think most folks were surprised the Willys took the Ridler, not saying it didn't deserve it (the chassis work was not only breathtaking but mindboggling as well) but talking to folks before hand and afterwards, most had "picked" in their minds others and were quite surprised that the Willys won. They were all beauitful works of art and all eight of the owners and builders should be proud just being choosen as a "Great Eight"

[48_HEMI]

thanks again Denise,
I just re-read my earlier post and I didn't mean to sound negative....BUT... these shows are all hype and politics. if done well the nicest, richest, or big name are the only way to win! looks like a nice rich guy won. Steve Moal,Boyd,Foose will all continue to get their share of press and that all they need. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[hotrodladycrusr]

[ QUOTE ]

let me know when BIG OLDS is ready for glass http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif maybe I can cut some out of steel http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Jim, glass or steel, makes no difference, they'll be down anyway cuz I probley won't know how to work them, it's been so long since I had some. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously though, it does take money to win because everything on the car has to be done to perfection, beyond prefection actually. There are plenty of other "awards" beside the Ridler for the "other" type of guys to win and those awards can, and do, go to home built, average buck, well done rides. The bar for the Ridler has been set so high in recent years I'm afraid there is no turning back to "normal" priced rides for this award.

I'm not sure how much politics is actually involved all I know is I would hate to be the one that has to choose. I do know that they use judge sheets and everyone can get theirs at the end. I think the process is pretty fair. If it wasn't there wouldn't be so amny folk ving for it.

Jim, while this post has your attention, Joyce Johnson ('29 red RPU) stayed the weekend with me. I was showing her the HAMB and she said your name sounds fimiliar but she can't place the face. She said you live about 10 minutes from her. You got a photo of your mug that I can pass along to her? I'm trying to convince her the HAMB is where it's at and to do an intro and start enjoying the fun here. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Just Gary]

[ QUOTE ]
and three Willys

[/ QUOTE ]
Would the plural of Willys be " willii "? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[MrGasser]

Well,...politics DO play a part,...to some extent. Just two examples right off the top of my head:

A few years back, a local guy, (whom I'm sure alot of you know), had a wicked little '55 Chevy pickup,(built by some very talented local people), that was a Ridler contender that made it to the top 8, then actually, the top 2, with a GOD AWFUL UGLY, yellow and blue, annodized billet suspension, '32 coupe built by Coddington, for some rich guy from Canada who owned a string of grocery stores. And I mean UGLY!

When it was announced that John, with the '55 was gonna get the Ridler, the guy with the '32 had a fit! He jumped up and down, cursing, that, there was no way he was gonna lose to some, quote- "Piece-Of-Shit Pickup Truck"! I was there, I heard it! They tried to calm the guy down, but he stormed off, and called Boyd. Boyd flew in the the next morning, had a pow-wow with the ISCA officials, and BANG!...guess who they gave the Ridler to !!?!

Number 2....You guy's know the basic rules of judging, right? Ya gotta have yer doors, and trunk, and hood open if you want those areas judged,..same with the under carriage, off the floor so the judges can see everything....they won't open the doors or anything, so if ya want the points...

Remember that Mercedes race car that won Ridler a few years ago?...the car was on the ground, with BELLY PANS! After judging on Saturday night, the guy found out his trick suspension and frame weren't judged because of that,...he got mad, pissed and moaned 'till they agreed to look at it. So the guy took 1 1/2 hours to go get a jack, raise the car, pull the belly pans, and wipe everything down so they could look at it,...AFTER judging was over! Guess what?...

[kustombuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
A few years back, a local guy, (whom I'm sure alot of you know), had a wicked little '55 Chevy pickup,(built by some very talented local people), that was a Ridler contender that made it to the top 8, then actually, the top 2, with a GOD AWFUL UGLY, yellow and blue, annodized billet suspension, '32 coupe built by Coddington, for some rich guy from Canada who owned a string of grocery stores. And I mean UGLY!

When it was announced that John, with the '55 was gonna get the Ridler, the guy with the '32 had a fit! He jumped up and down, cursing, that, there was no way he was gonna lose to some, quote- "Piece-Of-Shit Pickup Truck"! I was there, I heard it! They tried to calm the guy down, but he stormed off, and called Boyd. Boyd flew in the the next morning, had a pow-wow with the ISCA officials, and BANG!...guess who they gave the Ridler to !!?!



[/ QUOTE ]

unfuckingbelievable!!! how the hell do they give the award to one guy then take it away and give it to another guy ESPECIALLY after he acted the way he did? i woulda told him and Boyd to take a flying fuckin leap. i've just lost what little respect i had for that award and show judges in general. if i'd have ben there when he did that i woulda had a word or two for him acting like a fuckin spoiled 6 year old. that shit just boils my blood. had he been talkin about MY "piece of shit truck" i woulda laid his ass out and stuffed that fuckin trophy so far up his ass you'd have to open his mouth to read the inscription.