The 2024 Ridler Award went to a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The 2024 Ridler Award was presented to a custom 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at the Detroit Autorama in March 2024. The car, known as "Sting," was built over several years by a team of craftspeople and won the award for its exceptional design, engineering, and execution. The Ridler Award is the most prestigious prize given at the Autorama, recognizing the single best custom vehicle on display.

This particular Corvette stands out because of its complete restoration and modernization while maintaining the classic lines of the original 1963 design. The build included a custom chassis, modern engine work, and hand-crafted body panels that took thousands of hours to complete. The car represents the kind of meticulous attention to detail that the Ridler Award judges look for each year.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 Ridler Award winner was a custom 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray named "Sting," unveiled at the Detroit Autorama in March 2024.
  • The award recognizes the best custom vehicle at the Autorama based on design, engineering quality, and overall execution.
  • The winning Corvette combined classic 1963 styling with modern mechanical systems and hand-crafted restoration work.
  • The Ridler Award has been presented annually since 1962 and is considered the highest honor in the custom car community.

What the Ridler Award recognizes

The Ridler Award judges evaluate custom vehicles on multiple dimensions: how well the design flows, whether the engineering is sound, the quality of the craftsmanship, and how completely the builder executed their vision. A car does not need to be fast or rare to win—it needs to be built exceptionally well and look intentional in every detail.

The award has been given out since 1962, making it one of the longest-running honors in automotive culture. It is presented only once per year, at the Detroit Autorama, which means there is significant competition among builders who spend years preparing their entries. Winning the Ridler is often considered a career milestone for custom car builders.

The 1963 Corvette Stingray's design and build

The 1963 Corvette Stingray is already an iconic design—it was the first year of the second-generation Corvette and introduced the split rear window that became when ready recognizable. The 2024 Ridler winner took that foundation and reimagined it with modern proportions, a lowered stance, and custom body work that respected the original while pushing it forward.

The build process involved creating a custom frame, integrating modern suspension and braking systems, and hand-forming body panels to achieve perfect panel gaps and surface quality. The interior was completely redesigned with modern materials and controls while keeping the visual language of the 1960s. This kind of work—blending old and new without either one looking out of place—is what separates a Ridler-level build from a standard restoration.

How the Ridler Award judging works

The Autorama uses a panel of judges who walk the show floor and evaluate every custom vehicle entered in the competition. Judges look at the car from multiple angles, open doors and hoods, and ask builders about their choices and techniques. The judging process is not based on a public vote—it is a professional assessment by people with decades of experience in custom car building.

Judges consider whether a car is finished and complete, whether the design makes sense proportionally, whether the engineering is correct, and whether the builder made intentional choices rather than copying trends. A car can be beautiful but lose points if the engineering underneath does not support the design, or if details are unfinished. The Ridler Award specifically goes to the vehicle that scores highest across all these categories.

The Detroit Autorama and custom car culture

The Detroit Autorama has been held annually since 1953 and is the largest indoor custom car show in North America. It draws builders from across the United States and Canada, and winning a major award at the Autorama can establish a builder's reputation nationally. The show is also where custom car trends often start—designs that debut at the Autorama often influence the direction of the hobby for years afterward.

The Ridler Award specifically has become the benchmark for what "best in show" means in custom car building. Other shows have their own awards, but the Ridler carries the most weight in the community because of its history, the quality of the competition, and the consistency of the judging standard over decades.

Why the 2024 winner matters to car builders

The 2024 Ridler winner demonstrates that there is still strong interest in classic American cars, even as the custom car hobby evolves. The car shows that a builder can take a well-known design and make it feel fresh by combining period-correct styling with modern engineering and craftsmanship. This approach—respecting the original while improving it—has become increasingly popular among younger builders entering the hobby.

The win also reinforces that the Ridler judges value complete execution and intentional design over novelty or shock value. The Corvette was not the most radical car at the 2024 Autorama, but it was the most thoroughly thought through and beautifully executed, which is what the award has always recognized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any car win the Ridler Award?

Any custom vehicle can be entered at the Detroit Autorama, but only one wins the Ridler Award each year. The car does not have to be a certain make, model, or era—judges evaluate based on design quality and craftsmanship, not on what the car is. Past winners have included hot rods, muscle cars, trucks, and vehicles that do not fit traditional categories.

How much does it cost to build a Ridler-winning car?

Ridler-level builds typically cost between $200,000 and $500,000 or more, depending on the complexity and the builder's labor costs. The 2024 winner required thousands of hours of skilled work, custom fabrication, and high-quality materials. However, cost alone does not determine the award—judges focus on execution and design, not on how much money was spent.

Where can I see the 2024 Ridler Award winner?

The car was displayed at the Detroit Autorama in March 2024. After the show, the owner may display it at other car shows or keep it in a private collection. Some Ridler winners tour to other major shows in the years following their win, but this depends on the owner's plans.

How do I enter a car in the Autorama?

You can register a vehicle for the Detroit Autorama through the official Autorama website. There is an entry fee, and you must submit photos and information about your build. The show typically opens registration several months before the event, and spaces fill up quickly because demand is high.

What makes a custom car "Ridler-worthy"?

A Ridler-worthy car has flawless execution, intentional design choices, high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and a complete vision that the builder followed through on. The car should look finished in every detail—no rough edges, no incomplete systems, and no elements that seem like afterthoughts. It should also tell a story about why the builder made each choice.