The 1963 Chevy Custom Wagon is this year’s Ridler Award Winner.  All photos courtesy of “Big Al” Liebmann.

A staple of the Michigan Hot Rod Association’s Detroit Autorama, as well as the winter car show season, the Ridler Award presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts and the Great 8 contenders represent excellence in customization. The award is given to a custom vehicle that has “not been shown before” its debut at the Detroit Autorama. This year, we congratulate the Ranweiler family’s custom 1963 Chevy Custom Wagon, “Irresistible.” 

Below are the other seven contenders of the infamous “Great 8.”  Congratulations to everyone who was selected for this prestigious honor.

Greg & Gail Wilson’s 1929 Ford Pickup “Driftwood” 

Jerry Logan’s 1934 Ford Altered Pickup 

Frank & Debbi Hinmon’s 1955 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

Bob Matranga’s 1955 Chevy Bel Air 

Jeffrey Hess’ 1956 Oldsmobile 98 Custom Convertible 

George Conrad’s 1966 Ford F100 Custom Pickup

Tim Wheeler’s 1969 Camaro Pro Touring

From Autorama’s official site: “The Detroit Autorama’s highest honor – The Don Ridler Memorial Award – was created in 1964 to honor the memory of the show’s earliest promoter and the individual who really got the show off the ground and helped create the long-lasting legacy the event now enjoys.” Meguiar’s sponsors the Ridler Award, the most prestigious award in the indoor custom car show industry, and presents the Ridler Award winner with a cash prize of $10,000 at this year’s Detroit Autorama.