While not for this forum the 2025 Riddler winner was a bit more conservative and tastefully done. Great styling and color. Of course has the obligatory big wheels and O ring tires. I doubt a regular car will ever win the award?
Considering most of the winners are now multi-million dollar builds, I'm not sure why we would think a "regular" car would win it? Many of these in the last 2+ decades have historically been show cars that don't see much for road miles. I saw a great 8 car in Spokane probably 24 years ago that had duct tape holding it together at the time. I liked the Nomad for the most part. I was surprised how the Great 8 were a lot more docile than last year's field.
To me, this year's Great 8 was a bland group of cars. Don't get me wrong, they're all incredible and I'd never shit on the craftsmanship and quality, and I could never afford one, build one, or probably be in the same room as one. But if you look at photos of the 8 contenders, it almost feels like you're looking at a Meguiars calendar from 2005. I don't know, they all seem stagnant in the looks department.
Yup, never understood people painting their hot rods or customs those blah colors. not a single thing about that car says "hey come over here and look at me"
Let’s see, should I spend a million or more to win the Ridler and pocket $10,000 or spend a lot less to win $15,000 in the Hemi Challenge? Either way I fail to see the logic, except to be able to say my dicks bigger than your dick.
To play devil's advocate... the car you (or 99% of us here) would have built wouldn't have won the Ridler.
I was liking the orange Vette. But I'm a little biased since the owner of the shop that built it grew up in my local area. But I was expecting the 57 convertible to take it. Though I didn't care for it's look under the hood.
Here's a link for pics so you know what's being discussed. https://www.hagerty.com/media/events/2025-detroit-autorama-ridler-award-great-8-finalists/
Gray was a trendy color 10-15 years ago. I don't get it either. Maybe it's so the color won't distract you from all the other wonderful work that was done to the car?
I would like to make a comparison, if I may. I have seen video of the winner and also, I have seen a video of @Moriarity shoving his foot all the way to the radiator and grabbing two gears in a construction zone. Which one is the most exciting, fun, and just a great time? The one I would be scared sh*tless to touch or the one that made me scared sh*tless period.
Yeah, that blah grey works on more modern stuff that lacks chrome, but when something like that Nomad or anything vintage has some brightwork need a color that makes it pop more. All the money spend in plating kind of just gets lost as its a similar tone to the paint job. I've never been much of a earth tones fan, I have always liked my metallic colors.
It's the thing now to find a car with a usable brand or model name variation to incorporate into a theme. Think back to many of the high end cars/ high end builders in the last 25 years. It is, what it is....some more color than others. Respect to fellas who have that competition show spirit. Those show days for me are in the rear view mirror and over. Those years of lying underneath with a aching back, bone on bone knees with polishing chrome, Q-Tips dusting joints/ chrome screws etc etc etc. Now more low end, primered coupe, unusual drivers and performance survivors are my bag. No more competitive shows like from 25-30 years ago. More faded chrome, primer and maybe a sprinkle of paint to wash / wipe now and then. Go see some car buddies, have a beverage and enjoy car finds / stories. Every day is a good day.
Respect to show car history..... Maybe a new class " Traditional" would be a novel idea. With " Traditional" wheel / tire sizes from years ago. Rambling thought as the rubber band tires do absolutely nothing for me. Plus the few I've ridden in with them, ride like bricks as there is no sidewall to adsorb bumps.
I would have voted for the 33 Ford Roadster Pick up, its the only rig that really caught my eye. Loved the 37 Chevy truck, but cant really stomach the choice of wheels and tires on that rig. Other than that, it was very nice. Everyone's results may vary greatly! Thanks from Dennis.
Wow...I guess since my only source of car stuff is here, I had not seen a pic of that Nomad. Nothing about that car does it for me, especially the bland color. I'm sure the work quality is amazing, but the end result just seems understated.
Okay who wants to kick me in the balls and flame me but I kinda like it from just the one pic shown……..
Ok at before I get banned (or Mark coming down here and taking my cars away from me so nothing like this will happen to them) for saying that I can appreciate the effort that went in it and if you look at the chop it’s pretty cool looking. I bid thee farewell and it’s been nice knowing you
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