Straight from the floor of Cobo Center at the Detroit Autorama, here are the Great 8 finalists for the 2015 Ridler Award. It’s an impressive and eclectic group—have a look.
Just hours ago, the judges selected the Pirelli Great 8 finalists for the 2015 Ridler Award, hot rodding’s most coveted prize. And once again this year, the theme is variety. The finalists include a ’69 Mustang and a ’69 Camaro, two traditional Ford favorites, a ’32 roadster and a ’37 woody wagon, and several models never seen in the Great 8 before, including a ’65 Dodge Dart and a ’56 Plymouth Convertible. All are beautifully constructed and immaculately prepared.
But probably the biggest buzz on the show floor this year surrounds the ’65 Chevy Impala Sport Coupe owned by Don Voth. Radically restyled by TV personality and multi-time Ridler Award winner Chip Foose, the Impala drew a thick circle of eyeballers for much of the day. Will the judges be as impressed with Foose’s latest creation as the crowd at Cobo Center? We’ll find out Sunday evening when the Ridler Award winner is announced. Naturally, Mac’s Motor City Garage will have complete coverage. Meanwhile, here are your Great 8 finalists for 2015.
1969 Mustang Coupe, Tim Palazzo, Houston, TX
1932 Ford Roadster Al Negele, Wilmette, IL
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe, Alan Reed, Baton Rouge, LA
1937 Ford Station Wagon, Mike and Belinda Terzich, Gibsonia, PA
1965 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe, Don Voth, Abbotsford, BC
1956 Plymouth Convertible, Gil Losi, Murrieta, CA
1959 Rambler American Station Wagon, Dean Osland, Scottsdale, AZ
1965 Dodge Dart, Willie and Charlotte Maise, Hokes Bluff, AL
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