Detroit Autorama -- Friday

It's wintertime so it must be Detroit

It's the first day of the 53rd Detroit Autorama, which is part of the GM Performance Parts Show Car Series presented by Meguiar's. It's March 4th and Old Man Winter still has a sense of humor as the outside temperature is in the single digits but inside Cobo Hall the temperature is hot, and the competition is even hotter.

For the first time this year the folks at Championship Auto Shows Inc. have expanded the format of the Detroit show by opening up the downstairs and literally filling the hall with a great showing of Rat Rods and Tuner cars. But I am jumping ahead. Upstairs is everything the show is know for: numerous cars making up every build style from street rod to muscle car and all manners of cars and trucks in between.

The quest for the Don Ridler Memorial Award is hot and heavy with the following owners and their rides making the Great 8. Dale Stuban of Versailles, Kentucky and his '32 Ford roadster; Joe Stuban of Bonita Springs, Florida and his '37 Ford roadster; Steve Tracy of Gallatin, Tennessee and his '32 Ford roadster; Rick Clutter of Escondido, California and his 1956 Ford pickup (the only truck and the only non-roadster in the Great 8); Ken Reister of Littleton, Colorado and his '36 Ford roadster (and an early favorite for the Ridler award); Nick Minialoff of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and his '33 Ford cabriolet; Mike Hughes of Woodstock, Georgia and his '37 Ford roadster; and Gai Wilson of Louisville, Tennessee and his '32 Ford roadster.

Stick around and visit us later today to see the full lineup of the Great 8 in pictures

Okay, lunch is over so here is the Great 8 for the Ridler award contenders.

It's still cold, hey for a SoCal boy single digit elevating to 25 degrees Fahrenheit isn't a warm spell. However, we are inside and the crowds are really digging the Great 8 contenders along with row upon row of great looking rods.

In this mornings update we "wired" you into who the Great 8 were and their cars but how about some photos to go along? Now you can call you buddy and tell him you have seen the Great 8 and you think you know who will win the Ridler.
BB

Detroit Autorama Wraps Up First Day

The buzz is in the air, who will win?

There is plenty of buzz as the first day comes to an end at the 53rd Detroit Autorama but it revolves around more than the Ridler award. You see the staff of Street Rodder has plenty to be excited about as our two picks come up on day two--Saturday.

You will have tune in tomorrow to see who wins the first, of what we hope will be an annual award, as the Driven Award presented by Street Rodder and sponsored by Lokar Performance Products is given out to a rodder who really does drive his ride turned show car for this weekend. Another SRM award will be given to a lucky Rat Rod owner. The lower level of Cobo Hall is full of Rat Rods and SRM Editor Brennan will be selecting his choice for one of the coveted awards.

Oh yes, did we mention--the judging should be finalized by Saturday afternoon as to who the winner of the Ridler will be. Make sure you indoor bound rodders stay tuned to your computer and keep the SRM web site on for the first official recognition of who goes home with the golden trophy.

Brian Brennan

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