What the Ridler Award is and why it matters
The Ridler Award is the highest honor given at the Detroit Autorama, an annual custom car show held in Detroit, Michigan. A single vehicle wins it each year — the one judges decide best represents the vision of custom car building at that moment. The award comes with a trophy, recognition in the automotive press, and a permanent place in the show's history.
The award is named after Lil' John Ridler, a legendary custom car builder and promoter who helped establish the Autorama in the 1950s. Winning it has launched careers and made certain vehicles famous among car enthusiasts for decades. The Ridler is not a participation trophy — it represents a specific standard of design, craftsmanship, and originality that the show's judging panel looks for each year.
Key Takeaways
- The Ridler Award goes to one custom vehicle per year at the Detroit Autorama, judged on design, execution, and originality rather than on a points system.
- Judges include established figures in custom car design and automotive media, and they evaluate vehicles on the show floor during the event.
- Vehicles entered in the Autorama's main competition are automatically considered for the Ridler — builders do not submit a separate entry.
- The award has been given since the 1960s and has become one of the most recognized honors in the custom car world.
- Winning vehicles often receive significant media coverage and can increase in value or lead to sponsorship opportunities for the builder.
How the judging panel evaluates vehicles
The Ridler Award judges do not score vehicles on a checklist or point system. Instead, they walk the show floor, examine the cars in person, and discuss which one best represents the year's standard for custom car building. The panel typically includes well-known custom car designers, builders, and automotive journalists who have spent years in the industry.
Judges look at several broad categories: the overall design concept and whether it is original or derivative, the quality of execution (paint, upholstery, welding, engine work), the integration of all the parts into a cohesive whole, and whether the vehicle pushes the boundaries of what custom car building can be. A car does not need to be the most expensive or the most powerful to win — it needs to demonstrate vision and skill.
The judging happens during the show itself, usually over the course of a day or two. Judges may ask builders questions about their design choices, materials, and inspiration. The final decision is made by consensus or by a vote among the panel members, depending on the year.
What types of vehicles have won in recent years
Ridler Award winners span a wide range of eras and styles. Some years the winner is a 1950s hot rod, another year it might be a 1960s muscle car restomod, and another year a completely custom-built vehicle with no original donor car visible. The award does not favor one decade or body style — it rewards the builder's vision and execution in that particular year.
Recent winners have included vehicles with innovative paint techniques, radical body modifications, custom interiors that rival production cars, and engines built from the ground up. Some winners are show cars that took five or more years to complete; others are relatively quick builds that caught the judges' attention through sheer originality. The only consistent pattern is that every Ridler winner represents a significant investment of time, skill, and often money.
How to enter a vehicle in the Autorama
The Detroit Autorama opens its entry period several months before the show each year. Builders register their vehicles through the official Autorama website or by contacting the show organizers directly. There is a registration fee, which varies year to year. Vehicles are assigned to different classes based on their era, style, or level of modification.
Once a vehicle is entered in the main competition, it is automatically considered for the Ridler Award. Builders do not need to submit separate paperwork or make a special request. The judges see all the competing vehicles and choose the Ridler winner from among them. Some builders enter specifically hoping to win the Ridler; others enter to compete in their class and are surprised if they win the top award.
The history and prestige of the award
The Detroit Autorama began in the 1950s as a showcase for custom cars in the Detroit area. The Ridler Award was established in the 1960s and named after Lil' John Ridler, who had been instrumental in promoting custom car culture in Michigan. Over the decades, winning the Ridler became one of the most sought-after honors in the custom car world — comparable to winning a major design award in other fields.
Builders whose vehicles have won the Ridler often see their work featured in major automotive magazines, on television shows, and in museum exhibitions. Some Ridler winners have become so famous that they are recognized by name decades later. The award has also helped establish the Detroit Autorama itself as the premier venue for custom car competition in North America.
What happens after a vehicle wins the Ridler
Winning the Ridler typically brings when ready attention. The vehicle is photographed extensively, interviewed in automotive media, and sometimes featured in documentaries or television specials about custom cars. The builder's name becomes associated with the award, which can lead to commissions for new builds, sponsorship deals, or invitations to other prestigious shows.
Some Ridler winners are sold to collectors or museums shortly after winning. Others remain in the builder's personal collection or are driven and shown at events for years. The trophy itself is displayed at the Autorama or in the builder's shop, and the vehicle's name is added to a permanent list of Ridler winners that is maintained by the show.
Other awards at the Detroit Autorama
The Ridler is the top award, but the Autorama gives out many others. There are class winners in categories like "Best 1950s Custom," "Best Engine," "Best Interior," and "Builders Choice" (voted on by other builders at the show). Some vehicles win multiple awards in a single year. These category awards recognize excellence in specific areas and give builders a better chance of being recognized even if they do not win the Ridler.
The Autorama also features a "Ridler Contender" or "Ridler Finalist" designation in some years, which highlights vehicles that the judges felt were close to winning but did not take the top award. This recognition can still significantly boost a builder's profile and the vehicle's value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a vehicle win the Ridler more than once?
No. The Ridler Award is given to one vehicle per year, and once a vehicle has won, it is not may be able to access to win again. However, the same builder can win the Ridler multiple times with different vehicles.
Do I have to attend the show in person to be considered for the Ridler?
Your vehicle must be physically present at the Detroit Autorama for the judges to see it and consider it for the award. The judging happens on the show floor, so the car needs to be there during the judging period.
How much does it cost to enter a vehicle in the Autorama?
Entry fees vary by year and are set by the Autorama organizers. The fee covers your vehicle's space on the show floor and inclusion in the competition. Check the official Autorama website for the current year's fee and registration details.
What is the difference between the Ridler Award and other custom car show awards?
The Ridler is specific to the Detroit Autorama and is considered the most prestigious award in custom car building. Other shows have their own top awards, but the Ridler has the longest history and the most recognition in the automotive world.
Can a vehicle that is still being worked on enter the Autorama?
Vehicles must be in a finished or near-finished state to be displayed at the show. The judges evaluate what they see, so incomplete work or unfinished areas will affect how the vehicle is perceived. Most Ridler winners are fully completed before the show.