not because I am enthralled with cars but because I look for the Hupmobiles. Right on top this time. My relations, though not close, were the people that made these cars and I find them endlessly fascinating.

Thanks for the thread!

The fascinating part for me is that these cars are still available for us to experience - I just wish there were more of them.

There were some very cool models. I don't know anyone from that side of the family but they are related and fairly closely. It is fun, I have one of the big, metal pieces they put in them telling what number the vehicle is, where it was made (Detroit, of course) etc. Amazing how ornate and special these things were that they just put in every car.

On Sunday, the judges at the 67th Meguiars Detroit Autorama Presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts announce the winner of the 2019 Ridler Award. As this is being written those same judges are giving their final evaluation to the eight finalists for that high honor. Those eight cars were identified on Friday morning with large banners announcing their status as the Great 8 presented by BASF.

As you are about to see, the Great 8 winners for 2019 is as diverse a group as you can get. The winners include Fords, Chevys, a Cadillac, and a Willys, spanning a year range from 1932 through 1969. Body styles, build styles, budgets, colors, years in progress, and geographical origins are as different as can be. The common denominators are taste, technical excellence, as a huge passion on the part of the owners and builders.

Here are this year's Detroit Autorama. One of them will be the Ridler winner. Which one?


Video and detailed photos of Great 8 winners at link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/classic-cars/2019-detroit-autorama-the-great-8-winners/ar-BBUkhIm?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=U508DHP




1941 Willys © Chuck Vranas

He learned the craft working on Model A Fords. His shop was full of surprises. One week there was a big yellow 1904 Renault, next week it was Ed Hills twin dragster. He measured the dragster’s bucket seat with his hands, them made a tuck and roll cover for the seat. He did the interior for the Logghe Stamping streamliner.

Looks like a wonderful event. So nice to see those vintage rides!