2009 Detroit Autorama Review: Radical Rods, and Cool Customs

Since we took a look at the Geneva Auto Salon, I though it was time to take a look at a unique Detroit Spectacular, the Detroit Autorama. This is where the premiere Custom Car Builders congregate to show off their interpretations of the classic American Hot Rod. All of the entries in this years show were nothing short of breathtaking. This all culminates in awarding the Don Ridler Award for the most outstanding custom at the show. Without further ado, here are the highlights of the 2009 Detroit Autorama.

2008 Ridler Award Winner, the Ferrambo, a Ferrari engined 60's Rambler wagon!

First, a review of Don Ridler, who inspired the award: Don Ridler was a man with a very competitive spirit excelling in athletics in high school and later at Michigan State University. His achievements landed him in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. After College, Don would contract entertainment for dances. During this period, Don also produced the Michigan State Fair Grandstand shows and handled public relations for horse tracks in the Detroit area. In the 1950’s, the producers of Autorama decided they needed promotional help to take the event to the next level and turned to Don Ridler. With the help of Don’s creativity and professionalism, car enthusiasts flocked to the Coliseum at the Michigan State Fairgrounds to see some of the wildest hot rods were entertained by contemporary music acts.

The 2007 Ridler Award Winner, Ross and Beth Meyers 1936 Ford Coupe

Don Ridler passed away in 1963 at the age of 54. It was immediately decided to create an award to honor his memory. Don’s forté had always been his creativity. Therefore, it was decided the award would honor individuals who are equally creative in building cars. The award, geared to honor new creations, is only eligible to cars shown for the first time.

2006 Ridler Award Winner: Kevin and Karen Alstott's 1935 Ford Roadster

2009 Show Entries

Dan Webb built this recreation of Barney Oldfield's Golden Submarine, and showed it in the past three Autoramas, and is now physically complete. It's breathtaking. Webb has taken home a Ridler award in the past, but this particular machine is a whole different animal, compared to some of the others. The Submarine's inspiration is from the 1917-era streamliner built under the legendary Harry Miller. This interpretation features a hand formed and unpainted all-steel body. It has been written that the body is so perfect the application of paint would just ruin it. The body is mounted on a hand built and jig-drilled lightweight frame. Power comes from a 2.0 liter Ford Zetec four cylinder with performance upgrades. It is a real work of art.

Ed Tillrock created this unique monster, and called it the "Voodoo Curse" because he's a member of the Chicago area hot-rod club the Voodoo Kings. There's a 70mm Garrett T3 turbo grafted onto a 230 cubic inch Chevy inline-six. He started out with a '32 Chevy body and chopped it, added the fins from a '57 Buick , the dash of a '57 Oldsmobile, and the steering wheel of a '59 Cadillac, and he even modified the tailgate of an old Chevy pickup. But it's the engine that's really different. Ed fabricated a custom intake and exhaust manifold for a previously junkyard bound Chevy six to accommodate a monstrous Garrett T3 turbocharger. The engine is said to be running on stock internals. Hot-rodding legend Gene Winfield liked it so much he gave it the 2009 Gene Winfield Coolest Custom Award. and the car isn't even finished yet!

Troy Trepanier took a Chevy Nova, added a 572 cubic inch V8, a Procharger supercharger, blacked out everything and called it Notorious. The car also includes a 4L80E transmission, a 3.50 rear gear with a Detroit Locker, MSD ignition, 3" Flowmaster exhaust, Baer 14" brakes, and a RacePac Data Logger dash. Over the last 15 years, Trepanier and his Manteno, Ill., shop have become legendary for the hot rods they turn out, basically built by hand from the ground up. Trepanier exploded on the car scene 15 years ago when de debuted his grandfather's 1966 Chevelle in outrageous raspberry red prod street trim. The car set new benchmarks for the pro-street crowd, and introduced the "monochromatic" theme to hot rodders that carried through for a number of years. Equally impressive others have followed, including the "Chicayne", a twin turbo, 1180 hp 1962 Biscayne. In addition to being among the finest quality street machines ever built, Troy put to rest the thought that his cars were more for looks than performance.

Here is a Pro Comp 1930 Ford Coupe. it includes a 528 Hemi built by Keith Black, a 1471 supercharger and two Holly 1050 Dominators. How much horsepower? According to blog reports, "adequate." Just trying to drive this monster, with it's giant blower blocking your view, isn't for the faint hearted.

Chris Conly's 1933 Ford Cabriolet was a Ridler contender, and is radically clean. The Cabriolet borrows bits from several '30s era Ford products, the body is from the 1933 model while that nose came from a 1938 Ford truck. The body has been worked over for a cleaner look, with details that are sure show winners. The powerplant is a 354 Hemi V8 mated to a 700R transmission. Again, this is one of those pure, simple hot rods that is inspired by the customs of decades past. The lines are simple, and the car is undoubtedly fast. What better way to cruise than with this inspired piece?

The Ridler award, given out every year at the Detroit Autorama, is one of custom hot rodding's biggest awards. In addition to the fame and the engraved trophy comes $10,000 cash, a General Motors crate motor and an embroidered jacket. Remember, the car must be in it's very first showing anywhere, so builders wait to unveil their showcars at this event. The Duecenberg was built by Alan Johnson Johnson's Hot Rod Shop in Gadsden, Alabama and is owned by Doug Cooper of Oyster Bay Cove, New York. Doug already has 9 other rods. This car is based on a 1932 Ford, and it's got a cloth roof over a lift-off aluminum frame, customized body work all around, Dayton Wire Wheels and a 405 HP GM LS6 under the hood. It's a real sharp looker.

This is the Roadchamp Coupe. Take a look at it's the knockoffs on gold wheels against the green paint, it's square jaw grill, the torsion bar front suspension. It looks hot. Motivation comes from the Ford 351 GT-40 engine backed by a Tremec TKO 500. This one wasn't eligible for the Ridler, as it has been shown before. Clean, handsome, a true rodders rod. The Brass Hammer mounted in it's trunk was just icing on the cake.

Image Credits for 2009 Entries: Ben Wojdyla; Jalopnik.com