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Hot Rod History

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Ridler Award - Detroit AutoRama

 

Hard work, creativity and talent exemplify the Award that bears his name. The coveted Ridler Memorial award represents Excellence to the first time shown new entry at the Annual Detroit AutoRama.

Few people today know the significance of the Ridler name or for that matter, Don's involvement with Autorama. But if you take the time to stroll through the hallway located just outside this room, you will notice it contains the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. And if you spend time to read through the names of that select group of individuals, you'll find the name of Don Ridler.

Don had always been a very competitive person in high school football, baseball and basketball. He captained one of the most famous MSU football teams of the 30's. After graduation he continued to show this competitive spirit throughout his adult life. His main involvement was with the basketball teams at Lawrence Tech. He coached those teams in the 40's to national prominence. Don, exhibiting his talents as a creative producer, had Lawrence Tech play other nationally ranked teams in the State Fair Coliseum and then, after the game, brought the likes of the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller bands for a dance. Eventually, Don also came on to produce the State Fair Grandstand shows, and at one time or anoth- er, handled the public relations for all three of the horserace tracks in the Detroit area.

When Michigan Hot Rod Association (MHRA) decided in the mid-50's they needed professional help to take Autorama to the next level, there was no one more qualified in Detroit for this job than Don Ridler. Don not only brought professionalism to the show, which was at that time being produced in the Coliseum at the Michigan State Fairgrounds, he also wanted to add entertainment to broaden the appeal of Autorama to the public. With singing attractions like, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Duane Eddy, the Big Bopper and the Kalen Twins, Don was able to expand the show in five brief years, far beyond the concept originally envisioned by the early hot rod clubs. Don's format and that of the MHRA was the concept for virtually all of the major shows staged across the US, and Canada in the ensuing decade and set the standard that has been expanded upon to this very day, Don was a man greatly loved and admired by all who knew and worked with him.

Don passed away in 1963 at only 54 years of age. It was immediately decided to create an award to honor his memory. Don's forte had always been his creativity and it was therefore decided to honor those individuals who had been equally creative in building their cars. Since we wanted to honor new creations, it was decided that only cars shown for the first time would be eligible for this award. To say we have succeeded in creating a prestigious award would be an understatement as the Ridler Award is now recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in the country and has helped carry the name of Autorama to the very top of the list as "America's Greatest Hot Rod Show."

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2013 - Ron Cizek - '40 Ford Coupe - Checkered Past
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2012 - Dwayne Peace - '55 T-Bird
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2011 Bruce Ricks - 1956 Ford "Suncammer"
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2010 Tammy Ray - '33 Ford - Gold Digger
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2009 Doug Cooper - '34 Ford, Deucenberg
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2008 Mike Warn - '60 Rambler - Ferrambo
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2007 Ross & Beth Meyers - '36 Ford Coupe, First Love
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2006 Kevin & Karen Alstott '35 Ford Roadster - Iowa Radster
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2005 Ken Reister - '36 Ford Roadster, Impression
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2004 Al & Leora Brockley - '41 Willys Coupe
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2003 Ron Whiteside - '34 Ford Coupe, The Stallion
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2002 Bob Rydell, '35 Chevrolet, Grand Master
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2001 Chris Williams, '49 Chevrolet, M-80
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2000 Paul Atkin, Salt Pounder 2000
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1999 Bob Young, Inovator
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1998 Eric Peratt & Ken Reister, 1933 Ford Roadster, 21st Century Comet
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1997 Dave and Joyce Emery, Revolver
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1996 George Poteet, 37 Ford Roadster
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1995 Robert Rizzoli, Mercedes 560
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1994 Fred Warren, 1937 Ford Coupe, Aero Coupe
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1993 David Stitzer, 1940 Ford Coupe
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1992 Jimmy Stewart, 1932 Ford Sedan
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1991 Tony Carlini, 1933 Ford Coupe
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1990 Dan Webb, 1932 Ford Roadster
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1989 Michael Baliestiero, 1934 Ford Roadster
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1988 Mal Kieswetter, 1932 Ford 3W Coupe, The Gambler
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1987 John Kolbusz, 1934 Ford Roadster
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1986 Dale Hunt, Pontiac Pro Stock
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1985 Bobby Alloway, 1933 Ford Victoria
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1984 Bob Reed, 1934 Ford Altered Coupe
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1983 Ron Barnum, 1928 Ford A Model Sedan Delivery, Renaissance Delivery
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1982 John Papper, 1934 Y Model Ford Sedan
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1981 Bob Tiano, 1933 Ford 3W Coupe, Dual Turbo Coupe
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1980 Everett Rezendes, 1929 Ford, Cranberry Delivery
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1979 Frank Morabito, 1922 Ford Touring, Garage Father's Rod
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1978 Bob Anzalone, 1923 T Bucket, Black Diamond T
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1977 Frank Camden, 1923 T, Frigid T
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1976 Robert Sweatt, 1923 Ford, El Toro
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1975 Bob Gutzke, 1927 Ford, The Way We Were
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1974 Don Campbell, 1927 Ford, Tartan T
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1973 Jerry Pennington, Show Rod, Devilfish
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1972 Jerry Pennington, 1969 Corvette, Scorpion
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1971 John Greer, Show Rod, Brinks Express
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1970 Jan Bergel, 1967 Ford, Electro Charger
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1969 Larry Alexander, 1923 Ford T, Top Banana
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1968 Chuck Miller, Show Rod, Fire Truck
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1967 Alexander Brothers, 1964 Dodge, Deora
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1966 Maynard Rupp, Funny Car, Chevroom
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1965 Bob Massaron, 1956 Chevy, Venturian
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1964 Al Bergler, AA/C, More Aggravation
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