Damn Great, but Not Great 8 – Detroit Autorama’s Best
2012 Detroit Autorama Not Ridler Contenders?
I took alota pictures at the Detroit Autorama. I had too… at first, as I mentioned in the Great 8 Ridler Contender story, I didn’t know which of the MANY fine rides at the show were actually in the running for the big award, the Ridler. So… I snapped away. No harm done cause that gives me a great reason to highlight the Autorama’s “Not Great 8” hot rods and customs and let you decide if they shoulda been included. That’d mean one of the chosen Great 8 cars would have to go, so you decide… Did the judges pick the right cars? Leave a comment if you have an opinion.
Keep in mind, if any of these cars have been shown before, they’re automatically out of the Ridler competition. If anyone knows specifically why one of the following weren’t included, please let me know. (I’ll speculate too)
As always, click to see the full-size photo.
Not Great 8 – 2012 Detroit Autorama’s Best
This 1933 Hot Rod Ford coupe owned by Gregg and Jodi Blackford was built, coincidentally, by Hot Rods by Greg (one g). I’m pretty sure this car was intended to be a Ridler contender from Greg’s website that says, “Caliber” is “Going for the Ridler Award in 2012.” No idea why it wasn’t a finalist, really… the only thing I could say is that the engine compartment wasn’t as mind-blowing as other contenders and maybe the judges were tired of this display. You’ll see it in three other cars featured in this story.
Dave Leisinger’s 1971 Chevy Camaro may be my favorite of the show. That’s strange for me cause I’m not a huge 2nd gen Camaro fan… But this pro-touring style, massive tire tucking bad-ass is too cool! Why didn’t it get picked? In another wave of total speculation, check out the engine compartment. I’m wondering if the judges take points/look down on a massive engine cover? I’m also submitting this tire/wheel combo to my “Top Wheels and Tires” story coming soon.
This trick 1962 Chevy Impala is called, “Last Date”. No idea why… where do the car’s names come from? Dig all the custom billet parts on this. I can hear the billet-haters now, but folks… no matter what’s your first love, don’tcha have to at least tip the cap to craftsmanship and innovation? Check out the interior and grille area parts. They’re all custom! Add to that a blown 502 with a push button 400 trans riding on air and what looks like one-off 17’s. Ridler?
Check out hot rod and custom car rockstar, George Poteet’s 1956 Chevy. I just featured his 57 Chevy from GNRS, then he rolls out this? Design, fabrication and paint was handled by Kemp’s Rod & Restoration and the fine interior comes from my buddies at Rad Rides by Troy. The only reason this car wasn’t a Ridler contender is George didn’t want it. He’s already won the Ridler in 1996 with his 1937 Roadster, so this car was on display in Pomona at the 2012 Grand National Roadster Show.
When’s the last time you saw a customized 1934 Hupmobile Cabriolet? According to the show card, “As of 2007, this is the only remaining Model K421. There were 1,066 of this model manufactured at the original price of $995. Far from it’s origins now, owner/builders Butch and Donna Downs of Colona, IL stuffed a 5.7L Hemi hooked to a 5-speed automatic to motivate the old Hup-ster. Congrats on taking an ultra rare car and turning it into a hot rod! Why no Ridler? Maybe a lack of trick display? Got me…
Ron Hall’s Z “O” 55 sat proudly in the front row of the Detroit Autorama. The trick dash and custom grille treatment were outstanding and the colors worked perfectly together. You barely notice the shaved handles and extended fender flange trying to take the whole car in. Why no Ridler? The engine’s covered on this one, and it’s a fairly common LS-1. Compare that to the ZL-1 big block riding in the 55 Chevy the judges did select for the Ridler. Points from me though for hammering gears through a 6-speed Tremec. Hot Rods gotta row gears!
I don’t know much about Gary Zaborowski’s 1932 Hot Rod Ford Coupe. Score points for insane paint and color. I also thumbs up for the name: “Boogie Man’s Candy Coupe”. Why no Ridler nod?
By now, I’m jamming my own, hot rod focused, opinion into the cars I’m showing here. It was a toss up between a 1932 Ford Phaeton and this, somewhat simple looking, 1934 Hot Rod Ford Coupe with a little old 1942 Flathead V8. I’m also saving this engine for my “Best Engine” story cause if I hadn’t read the show card, I wouldn’t have known this is a twin turbo flathead making 300+ horsepower while looking only slightly warmed-over. The turbos are completely outa-sight, but push air into the bottom air cleaner just as tidy as could be. Jack Stirnemann calls this three window black-beauty “Flat Earth”. Even without the crazy detail of the Ridler cars, this coupe does have a super unique engine setup and makes my list… where as the phaeton had a SBC or maybe an Olds motor…
For those of you scoring at home, this is #9. Since it’s 2AM and I’m running this site, I say show Gary and Flo Garman’s 1955 Chevy pickup. The pale green paint coupled with the bright red interior does kinda bring a watermelon flavor to the palette, but under the hood is where the true treat is…
Now you know why Flo’s smiling in the shot above and why every other man, woman and child did the same as they caught a glimpse of the sweetened small block. Except for not being seedless, this shoulda been a Ridler contender!
Agree, disagree… your opinion counts! You don’t have to be a member to comment, so let me hear it! Downstairs is next… Best of 2012 Detroit Autorama Basement
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The ’34 Hupmobile wasn’t a ridler finalist because it’s been shown before. It was at many of the Goodguys events including Columbus, where it was a Street Rod of the Year finalist.
Thanks Jon! How do you know the car? I kept accidentally writing Humpmobile. Glad I caught it!
Still flabbergasted that Dave Leisinger’s 1971 Chevy Camero didn’t make the great 8 cut, seems to me that would have been the car to beat. Some really awesome stuff this year. Maybe I should view these full size on my computer instead of an iPhone before I make such statements? That being said I need to go one year and actually lay eyes on these beauties. R~
The watermelon truck wasn’t eligible either. It has been shown at a few shows. Beautiful truck though.
I guess when you play in somebodies sand box you gotta play by their rules.. The judges should have picked that 1971 Chevy Camaro. I guess body mods, lines, and door gaps don’t matter in the great 8? The riddler was an awesome car but totally un-driveable.. No door seals, no trunk seals, etc. A car just built for show, i don’t get it, cars are meant to drive, not just sit idle.. I guarantee this 71 Camaro will be tearing it up in the autocross. And then that Nova great 8 car, still a great looking car but, really bed liner underneath? You pick that over the 71… poor choice, poor choice.
I think it is almost impossible to pick from the cars they picked with the different models and kind of cars or trucks. I think it gets down to what the judges like!
The Bozeforged wheels on Dave Leisinger’s Camaro look awesome! I’m suprised his car didn’t get picked.
That watermelon truck is one of the greatiist 55’s I have ever seen. That being said, the front frame work set the wheels too far rearward. Those wheels need to be set forward in the wheel well to look right!
It gives the appearence that the truck is trying to override its front wheels.
Hey Trevor, everyone’s surprised that truck didn’t make the great 8. If anyone knows why, I’d love to hear it. email me at moc.emsiedirymnull@nasekip
Probably because those cars look like they have been driven…which is too bad…I saw an old hot rod tv the other day and a dude competing for a roadster award made the comment he couldn’t wait for the contest to be over so he could take his car out on the road…..SAD
Hey Craig…. “Last Date” looks more like a ’62, judging by the fender, grille and dash. Or else it’s one hell of a custom. Must have been a slip of the finger on the computer. It’s got to be a tough job taking all the pic’s, getting them sorted & putting them out here for us to enjoy. Great job on coverage of all the shows. This is among my favorite sites. Thanks for being our eyes at the shows.
Hello, My name is Flo my husband Gary & I are the owners of the Watermelon Truck. Our Watermelon Truck was built 90% by Gary, at home in our 2 1/2 car garage. Taking only 45 weeks, hanging plastic, using a creeper (no lift), &
a wife! Ha! We’re very proud of our 55 truck and glad to see all the happy faces when viewed. Thanks for liking our “Homegrown” Watermelon Truck, Flo
Hi Flo! It was nice to meet you in Detroit. I have a couple pictures I’ll be sending of you and your truck. Great job and great story!! Wish I could get my wife into the garage… well, maybe not!
The 62 Chevy is called last date because the owner and his wife had their first date in a 62 Impala. The owner said this is the last show car he is going to build. Thus the name last date. It would take days to study all the custom parts he created for this car. The final bodywork, paint, and upholstery were the only things not done by the owner. He even machined one off stainless bolts for the entire car.
Thanks for the insight Apound!