Dwayne Peace, of Tyler, TX, took home the coveted Ridler award for his ’55 Thunderbird that was built by Torq’d Design Lab in Tyler, and Greening Auto Company out of Nashville. The build began at Torq’d under the direction of Jonathan and Matt Peace (sons of the owner) and completed with Greening’s applying the Glasurit paint and fabbing many of the one-off parts. The engine is a twin-blown (Banks) 383 with Dart heads and block, which is backed to a Bowler 4L60E trans. The interior was a combination effort between Torq’d Design Lab and Paul Atkins Interiors while the brightwork was handled by the Ridler-proven shop of Advance Plating.
Competition for the Don Ridler Memorial Award ebbs and flows every year, but 2012 will be remembered as an “up” year as more than 60 vehicles competed to be one of the eight finalists (collectively called the Pirelli Great 8), of which one would come away with the coveted Ridler award.
The Detroit Autorama marked its 60th year in 2012, and the Don Ridler Memorial Award is almost as old, as it celebrated its 49th year of being one of the greatest tributes one can receive in hot rodding.
Named after the early Autorama promoter, Don Ridler, the award came into existence a year after his death in 1963 as a way to honor the man for his professionalism and creativity. The award, given to a first-time-shown vehicle of any year, make, or model, is meant to reward car builders for their creativity.
And possibly the only way this year’s Ridler competition could be topped in any way is that next year’s Autorama will celebrate 50 years of the Ridler, so you can bet people will be coming out of the woodwork to witness that one! The cars presented here are the Pirelli Great 8 finalists and the Don Ridler Memorial Award winner for 2012.
This year’s Pirelli Great...
This year’s Pirelli Great 8 finalists are (from left) Ronson Burton, Gord and Carol Phillips, Bob Komlofske, Dwayne Peace, Dave and Joyce Emery, Johnny Edmonson, Mike Alexander, and Peter Datino.
Out of Valhalla, NY, Peter...
Out of Valhalla, NY, Peter Datino employed metal master Craig Naff to create this ’32 Ford, which had many subtle changes to make it a truly one-off vehicle. The paint, which at first glance looks black, is actually a very deep sapphire blue, and was done at Classic & Sport Auto Refinishing in Edinburg, VA.
Now in his mid-’80s, Mike...
Now in his mid-’80s, Mike Alexander, one-half of the famed Alexander Brothers customizing team, debuted his latest ride, which combines a Foose-designed ASC ’33 convertible with an interior that looks like it could be from a future Detroit concept car.
Owned by Gord and Carol Phillips,...
Owned by Gord and Carol Phillips, this ’67 Shelby GT 500 featured a 427FE motor underhood and a six-speed transmission, and body mods that include a one-off aluminum grille from Curtis Speed, a hand-shaped fiberglass hood, and a body where all the seams and edges were smoothed.
Ronson and Teresa Burton own...
Ronson and Teresa Burton own this ’63 Chevy Nova SS convertible, which they call the “Atomic Bomb.” A ZZ454 is underhood, and the car rolls on Pirelli-wrapped, 18-inch, Schott Axiom wheels. Paul Atkins did the custom leather interior, and the build was done by Superior Autoworks.
Another Ridler contender was...
Another Ridler contender was Johnny and Frances Edmunson’s ZL-55, built at Craig’s Hot Rod shop and Rongey’s Restoration (both of Tennessee). An all-aluminum 427 was built for the car by Gene Felton, and the interior was the work of Recovery Room Interiors of Nebraska.
Under the hood of Bob and...
Under the hood of Bob and Nancy Komlofske’s unassuming ’53 Chevy pickup lurks a 1,100-horse, blown 540 Dart engine. Inside a subtle but contemporary interior was done at Gabe’s Custom Interiors and the perfect paint was applied by Charley Hutton.
Dave and Joyce Emery have...
Dave and Joyce Emery have been to the Great 8 before, as they won the Ridler award back in 1997 with their Revolver roadster. This year they enlisted Don’s Hot Rods to help with their ’32 coupe, which was designed by Eric Brockmeyer. The interior featured a unique bucket seat design that made the seat flow in one curvy piece from the rear window down to the car’s floor.