We have come to expect big things from the Detroit Autorama and this years proves to be no exception. With nearly a thousand cars on hand there is something for every car guy (and gal) and their tastes in cars.
Stay tuned as we attempt to get caught up with our show online coverage. Weather withstanding we are now here, up and running and rounding up some great stories.
Look for online features on Gene Winfield the honored Builder of the Year at this years show, a look at the Preservation Award Winner in the Stone-Woods & Cook '40 Willys coupe owned by Mike Wales and restored by Joe Troilo. There will also be a look at the Great 8 sponsored by Pirelli. And, of course, come Sunday afternoon we will be the first to "break" the news on the Ridler Award winner for '08.
 Harry Willett of Orland Park,...  Harry Willett of Orland Park, Illinois is carrying the traditional hot rod entrant banner with his 1932 Ford highboy roadster. He designed and built this highboy in a sports car influenced theme, something we are seeing more of in the hobby. Aside from the many and highly visual sheetmetal mods the powertrain is something to behold, and not easily missed. A 600 hp Viper V10 with 6-speed trans provides all of the loud pedal performance any hot rodder could want. It is reported that this roadster will approach 200 mph, run 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds and cruise at 65 mph at a heart resting 1200 rpm. Everything a about this hot rod is handmade. |  |  |
 |  Joe Mouton, Jr. of New Orleans,...  Joe Mouton, Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana has his ever so black colored custom one-piece fiberglass '41 Willys competing for the Ridler and making the Great 8. The coupe was built by Joe Brown of Hot Rod Joe's Rod & Customs. The custom frame utilizes a Mustang IFS and a Ford 9-inch in back with a custom four-link suspension. Brakes are Wilwood 6-piston calipers matched to 13-inch rotors. The power for the Willys comes from a 8-71 blown and Hilborn EFI equipped 502 big-block Chevy sporting 750-plus horsepower. The signage on the car says, "Two Joe's from Louisiana got together and ain't it sweet." Owning this hot rod had got to be sweet so we agree. |  |
 |  |  Gene and Earlene Elpers brought...  Gene and Earlene Elpers brought out their '46 Chevy pickup which is an all custom hand fabricated body based on their concept and design. The fabrication was handled at LaVine Restorations with Eric LaVine handled the paint. The power comes via a 6.1L Hemi built by Street & Performance featuring Lomar injection. |
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 |  Gordon Peters of Sunfish Lake,...  Gordon Peters of Sunfish Lake, Minnesota brought out his very rare '56 Chevy Handyman wagon. The very slick looking wagon was built at Rods & Restos in Centre Alabama. Power is supplied by a Corvette LS1 with a 4L60E transaxle. There are a 112 body modifications and 1340 handmade parts. Plan on spending some time looking at this Chevy, it isn't your run of the mill Tri-five. |  |
 |  Mark Bosak from Litcfield...  Mark Bosak from Litcfield Park, Arizona brought out his '67 GMC pickup to compete in the Radical Pickup class only to find himself in the running for the Ridler Award by making the Great 8 presented by Pirelli. The truck was built by Dean Livermore and his crew at Hot Rods by Dean in Phoenix, Arizona. To say this pickup has numerous body mods would be an understatement but the most noteable are the 4 1/2 inch top chop and the suicide opening doors. The chassis is based on a custom 2x4 inch rectangular steel tube frame suspended by a custom independent front suspension and 9-inch Ford rearend, Air Ride rests at the corners. Speaking of corners, the one-off designed wheels were done by Jimmy Dean in a gasser style wheel with 18x7 fronts and 20x15 rears. The 355 inch small-block Chevy features a FAST computer to run the Imagine Injection. The design for the truck came from the pen of Jimmy Smith. |  |
 |  A real sleepy in the Ridler...  A real sleepy in the Ridler contention is this Great 8 finalist owned David Walsh of Macon, Georgia with his '40 Ford coupe painted in "tell me no lies" black. There can be no denying the sheetmetal work when you paint your ride in shiny black. The interior is a maroon which accents the black paint very well and the highly polished billet spoke wheels. The injected small-block is another focal point of this contender. |  |
 |  |  JF Launier of Osoyoos, British...  JF Launier of Osoyoos, British Columbia Canada was on hand with his 1955 Chrysler full custom two-door hardtop wagon sprayed in Hot Hues Revolution Yellow. The wagon was built by JF Customs and features a 2-inch chop, shortened 8 inches, windshield laid back 15 degrees, and sports a handmade wooden headliner and rear deck area. The incredible looking grille, steering wheel and taillights were fabbed by Curtis Speed Equipment out of aluminum. The wheels are Foose custom designed 24-inch rears and 22-inch fronts over Baer brakes. The wheels are wrapped with Pirelli rubber which is befitting since the Great 8 is presented by Pirelli. |
 |  |  Mike Warn of Wilsonville,...  Mike Warn of Wilsonville, Oregon is on hand with his wild of wild rides with a '60 Rambler outfitted with a mid-engine Ferrari powerplant. Built by Tim Divers and his crew at Divers Street Rods everything about this ride is a crowd favorite. The Ferrari theme is carried throughout right down to the prancing horse grille, Ferrari emblem shaped display mirrors, and the, what else, Ferrari red paint. Where the engine would normally reside is a compliment of custom, handmade luggage. Where the cargo would normally ride is the, what else, a Ferrari V-12. |
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