First Look … The Great 8
By Brian Brennan – Photography By Todd Ryden
Whether you’re a die-hard outdoor car show enthusiast or prefer indoor car shows, the fact remains that the Detroit Autorama is on everyone’s list. Its significance within our hobby is well known, and winning an award at this show is highly coveted. The 73rd Annual Detroit Autorama has long been the showcase for one of our hobby’s most prestigious awards: the Don Ridler Memorial Award. Clearly, to win this is the “top of the mountain,” so to speak. But to even reach the “basecamp” one must make the Great 8.
Making your way up to the Ridler means you have to be one of the Great 8, and that’s where the “fun” begins. Let us take a look at the combination of eight fantastic cars and trucks that are competing this year for the Ridler. Take a look yourself and see if you can guess which one the judges will be selecting come Saturday night. Of course, the Ridler will be handed out at approximately 3:00 p.m. Sunday. But until then, let the “arguing” begin as to which one should be selected. As is often the case, there is every possibility that you will select the car or truck that doesn’t win, but what do those judges know anyway!
Heading up this year’s group is the 1959 Cadillac Coupe De Ville owned by Ryan Bruinsma and built at Carriage House Restorations. The Caddy rides on an Art Morrison Enterprises chassis equipped with Wilwood disc brakes and Raceline Manhattan wheels. Other features include Classic Instruments gauges directly from its Custom Shop, Winning Color powdercoating, and glass from the Glass Guy Chicago.
Next is the 1956 Chevy 210 two-door Handyman wagon owned by Bruce and Toni Burns of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Handling the powertrain and mechanics was Ken Chapman of BA Custom Specialists, while fabrication and paint were handled by Dennis Fast of Fast Custom, Ltd. It also features an Art Morrison Enterprises chassis with Ridetech suspension, a 540-inch big-block Chevy, and a 4L80E overdrive transmission.
Representing the truck enthusiasts is the 1968 Chevy Z/10 owned by Wendy and Kevin Flondor, built by Bump & Grind Auto Body. The pickup features a Roadster Shop SPEC chassis with Air Lift Performance air ride and a Fab 9-inch rearend with 3.73 gears, and is powered by a 6.2L LS engine with an LSA supercharger and a 4L80E transmission. The custom-mixed Sand Storm paint is provided by Spies Hecker, while the wheels are Pro Billet, measuring 20×8 in front and 22×12 in the rear.
Jim Niedeckin showcased his 1953 Studebaker Champion two-door coupe, built by Wise’s Hot Rods and Dave’s Custom Rods. The coupe features a 2-inch roof chop along with various other body modifications. The Stude sits on an Art Morrison Enterprises chassis with Wilwood brakes and is powered by a Chevy LS1 with twin turbos connected to a TREMEC six-speed manual transmission. The interior echoes that of a 1968 Camaro, equipped with a Flaming River steering column, Lokar pedals, and a Vintage Air HVAC system.
The candy red 1968 Cadillac convertible belongs to Richard Jacobs. It features a stunning amount of brightwork, accented by oversized wire wheels with ultra-thin whitewall tires.
For the Blue Oval crowd, you can’t go wrong with a 1960 Ford Sunliner (convertible) owned by George Conrad and built at Classic Restoration of Southern Indiana. The convertible rides on a Roadster Shop Fast Track Stage III chassis, outfitted with Wilwood brakes and a Strange 9-inch rearend. Power comes from the potent Kaase Boss Nine, all 547 inches of it, with two turbos and mated to a Gear Vendors overdrive unit and a Bowler Transmissions Turbo 400. Other appointments include Vintage Air A/C, Dakota Digital gauges, and EVOD wheels.
The Bowtie crowd is well represented with Rex Satterfield’s 1956 Chevy Bel Air convertible. The Art Morrison Enterprises chassis is equipped with a Kugel Komponents IRS riding on EVOD wheels (they also made the taillights and steering wheel), measuring 19×8 and 20×12. The body features a one-piece floorpan, and the body itself has been lowered 3 inches from its stock position. Advanced Plating received the nod for the plating. Power comes from a Don Hardy Engines–prepped LS7 with a Whipple Supercharger that outputs 1,000 hp.
Now, what kind of competition would be complete without a Corvette? It is truly an icon in the world of custom and performance. Jim Curtis brought out his five-year project, this LS-powered 1962 Corvette. Larry Brunkala and Dan Tesar of Precision Hot Rods & Fabrication built the one-off chassis and mocked up the body. Magic Custom (Jim and Ed Curtis) assembled the pieces while The East Coast Hot Rod Garage handled the interior. Exceptional fit and finish make this subtly understated Corvette truly stand out.
Come back on Sunday late afternoon and let’s see what the judges think and how your discerning eye compares to theirs! MR
