Ridler Award Contenders Heading to Detroit Autorama This Weekend

Bob Houchins' bright blue 1940 Ford convertible can't be pictured in full just yet, but once it hits the Detroit Autorama, this Ridler Award contender will surely be a star of the show. Image: Observer & Eccentric

Since the 1960s, the Ridler Award has been one of the most prestigious accolades in the hot rod community, one which still pulls enthusiasts and car owners alike to the Detroit Autorama each year. And 2013 is no different as the Autorama kicks off this weekend at Detroit’s COBO Center.

Featuring dozens of over-the-top hot rods aiming for the top award, the show will bring thousands of spectators all pining to get a glimpse at some of the country’s most premiere vehicles- among them, a 1940 Ford convertible owned by Bob Houchins of Farmington Hills, Michigan. But it’s not just the debut of Houchins’ car at the show that’s special. It’s also the journey taken to get there, according to the Observer & Eccentric. 

The first Ridler Award was given to Al Bergler in 1964 for his AA Comp Bantam Coupe called "Aggrivation." Images: The Detroit Autorama

Spanning from Don Ridler’s pioneering creativity, which led to the Detroit Autorama’s long-time success, the Ridler Award was commissioned in honor of Mr. Ridler after his untimely death at age 54 in 1963. By 1964, those in charge of the Autorama were giving away one Ridler Award per year, focusing on the best of the best making their debut at the show.

Some 49 years later, the Ridler Award stays true to the requirement of the Autorama being the first public appearance of the car, but now there are plenty of other factors that go into deciding which car takes the coveted award home each spring.

Some major factors that judges now look for in the Ridler Award contenders are creativity, workmanship and engineering.

This year, Houchins’ 1940 Ford will make the trip to Detroit to contend for the prestigious award, an over 60-year goal soon to be completed.

While not much about Houchins’ street rod can be revealed per Ridler Award rules, we can tell you that Gene Ledbetter and his crew at Complete Auto Restoration in Livonia , MI have been working on the car for some time now. And with everything torn completely down before being rebuilt again, we can only imagine the awe-dropping result that will roll out onto the Autorama show floor come Friday.

Last year, Dwayne Peace's 1956 Ford T-bird took the coveted Ridler Award home. This year's award winner will be selected this weekend at the Detroit Autorama.

Though secretive for the most part, we also know that Houchins’ car features a Chevy drivetrain, a Ford Thunderbird interior and custom components like Frenched head and taillights. However, although it’s been completely reworked, the car still remains true to the 1950s and 60s hot rod era.

Taking your car to the Detroit Autorama for contention of the Ridler Award is a goal recognized by thousands of hot rod owners and builders across the country. While only one award winner will walk away from the show this weekend, every one of the 50 award contenders are certainly winners in their own right.

About the author

Lindsey Fisher

Lindsey is a freelance writer and lover of anything with a rumble. Hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles - she's owned and driven it all. When she's not busy writing about them, she's out in her garage wrenching away. Who doesn't love a tech-savy gal that knows her way around a garage?
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