By now you probably know what the Ridler Award is but in case you don’t, it is the award that every car builder wants. The best new vehicle shown at the Detroit Autorama embodies creativity, craftsmanship and engineering. The award came about when the Detroit Autorama show promoter passed away. Don Ridler left such a huge mark on the show producers, they immediately named an award after him. This is the beginning of a lengthy series about each Ridler award winner since the beginning.

The first year of the show without Don Ridler, was 1963. His namesake award was effectively a Best In Show and was awarded to a highly deserving winner. Al Bergler and his AA Competition Bantam Coupe named “More Aggravation” will forever be the first winner of the coveted Ridler Award.

Being local to the Motor City Speedway in Detroit, Michigan, Bergler was no stranger to the drag strip. He started off selling popcorn as well as getting on the road to being a master sheetmetal fabricator. Bergler went on to build a ’34 Ford that he swapped a 392ci Chrysler Hemi into. Later came “Aggravation” and during that build, he became friends with drag racers Ron and Gene Logghe. The three became friends and worked together to build Bergler’s “More Aggravation”.

Running on a Chassis Research chassis and a highly customized Austin Bantam coupe body, “Moe Aggravation” had a full width windshield and the same 392ci Hemi as the earlier car. Every part of the car was top notch, which is what drew the Ridler Award judges to it in 1964. The car ended up winning more awards as the years went on and then, in Bergler’s possession, was restored in 2005.

Al Bergler will always have his Ridler Award and the honor that comes along with it. Stay tuned for the next installment of our Ridler Award winner coverage, Bob Massaron’s 1956 Custom.