THE 73rd MEGUIAR'S DETROIT AUTORAMA, PRESENTED BY O'REILLY AUTO PARTS, ANNOUNCES THE PRESTIGIOUS 2026 RIDLER AWARD WINNER DURING THE CLOSING CEREMONY FOR AMERICA'S GREATEST HOT ROD SHOW Rex Satterfield's from Tennessee has won the coveted honor with his 1

(March 1, 2026 - Detroit, MI) After an intense weekend of anticipation and elite competition, Rex Satterfield from Russellvillele, TN, and his breathtaking 1956 Chevrolet Convertible, have been crowned the 2026 Ridler Award winner presented by Meguiar's, during the closing ceremony for the 73rd Annual Detroit Autorama. America's greatest hot rod show, which is presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts, took place this past weekend, February 27th-March 1st at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan. Rex Satterfield has now earned the highest honor in the world of custom car building.

Since 1953, Detroit Autorama has been a full-throttle experience that feels like stepping into a world of imagination, featuring cars that are transformed from machines into a rolling piece of art, that are shaped by vision, patience, and passion. This year was another premier event for attendees who were able to experience the showcase of craftsmanship performed on vehicles with classic bodies that are reimagined, engines that become sculptures, and interiors that are all custom designed to bring together nostalgia and innovations with more dramatic and deliberate details than anything you will ever see on the street. The 73rd Annual Detroit Autorama truly had something for everyone from the most devout gear heads to those looking to see displays of cars and celebrate the emotion and creativity that these custom car builders have crafted into creating something that you could never imagine seeing come to life.

The Detroit Autorama is the only event in the world that is home to the two most coveted honors in custom car building, the BASF Great 8 and The Ridler Award presented by Meguiar's. The mystique of the competition for this award is world renowned because the vehicles built to compete for the Ridler Award, must be shown for the first time ever at the Detroit Autorama. Any photos or physical viewing of the vehicle will disqualify the vehicle for this competition. This rule creates unmatched intensity and excitement. The Ridler Award was officially created in memory of Don Ridler, the first publicist for the Detroit Autorama, who was prized for his innovative and unconventional approach to promoting the show. The BASF Great 8 represent the absolute pinnacle of custom automotive craftsmanship worldwide and are widely regarded as the best-built custom cars in the world for that year. The 2026 BASF Great 8 finalists were announced on Friday, February 27, 2026, prior to the show's public opening, setting the stage for a weekend of global attention and excitement. Earning a Great 8 designation alone is considered a career-defining achievement for builders and owners alike and put those finalists into the running for the Ridler Award presented by Meguiar's, which the winner was announced on Sunday, March 1st during the closing ceremony for the event.

Barry Meguiar, President of Meguiar's, and Title Sponsor of the Detroit Autorama and The Ridler Award announced the 2026 Ridler Award winner in front of an international audience of fans, builders, and industry leaders. He stated, "When you get inside to see the expertise, it's unbelievable. Every car in the Great 8 this year is extraordinary. We could not have even dreamed of making these cars 10 years ago. It's such an artform. This is the Golden Age of car building."

The 2026 BASF Great 8 Finalists who competed for the 2026 Ridler Award Presented by Meguiar's included:

Bruce Burns from Vancouver, BC
1956 Chevrolet Nomad

Ryan Bruinsma from Lowell, IN
1959 Cadillac

Kevin & Wendy Flondor from Mokena, IL
1968 Chevrolet C-10

Jim Niedecken from Ottoville, OH
1953 Studebaker

Richard Jacobs from Allentown, PA
1968 Cadillac

George Conrad from Huron, OH
1960 Ford Convertible

Jim Curtis from Middleburgh, OH
1962 Chevrolet Corvette

Rex Satterfield from Russellvillele, TN
Renowned Winner of the 2026 Ridler Award
1956 Chevrolet Convertible

Rex Satterfield has always been drawn to convertibles and when he found this rare 56' Bel Air, he knew it was the one. He loved the look, the style, the timeless presence that only this car could deliver. From the very beginning Satterfield had the vision to compete in the Great 8, and hopefully, and ultimately, win The Ridler Award at Detroit Autorama. He commissioned the Red Brick from Rockmore, Florida and set the plan in motion. Satterfield chose Jeff Wolfenbarger at Kool Kolors because of a previous build they had completed together. He trusted Jeff''s craftsmanship and reputation. What followed was an eight-year journey of dedication and precision. The car is named the "Elegant Lady", as a fitting tribute to its graceful lines and refined execution. "Without any hesitation, the engine, which is 1000 horsepower LS7 is my favorite part of this car. It's the heart of this remarkable build," stated Rex Satterfield. Most importantly Satterfield would like to honor Jeff Wolfenbarger, who poured his passion, heart, and soul into this car, until he passed away near the completion. After Jeff passed, Satterfield found Kevin Riffy of Riffy's Hot Rods, who stepped in to carry this vision to completion.

With this victory, Rex Satterfield, the 2026 Ridler Award winner, now joins an elite legacy of custom car builders whose work has forever shaped the landscape of automotive artistry.

In addition to the BASF Great 8 and the Ridler Award, the Detroit Autorama presented numerous honors including: The Preservation Award, Traditional Rod Pick Awards, The Liqui Moly Master Builder Award, The Autorama Extreme Celebrity Pick, the CASI (Championship Auto Shows Inc.) Cup, and The Circle of Champions 2026 inductees which include Tom Bresnahan (2025 Ridler Award Winner), Peter Toundas (CASI Owner) and Butch Patrico (former Michigan Hot Rod Association President). For a full list of categories and winners, visit
www.theisca.com

The 73rd Annual Meguiar's Detroit Autorama filled nearly one million square feet of the Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit with an unforgettable celebration of automotive culture. The event showcased more than 800 spectacular works of art to create an immersive experience that blended the most revered one-of-a-kind custom hot rods, trucks, modern and muscle cars, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles from across the country. Throughout the weekend, attendees enjoyed live entertainment, celebrity appearances, immersive displays including iconic movie vehicles, and fan-favorite features like Toy-A-Rama, the Miss Autorama Pin-Up Contest, and Detroit Autorama Extreme.

The show also highlighted the artistry and craftsmanship behind the industry with renowned automotive artists, interactive exhibits, educational opportunities for students during the annual Career Day, and engaging demonstrations from professionals. A meaningful philanthropic component brought the community together through the Motor City Maven's Art Panel Jam and Pinstripers Charity Auction, raising funds and awareness for Leader Dogs for the Blind. With expansive vendor areas, special showcases, and activities for enthusiasts of all ages, the weekend delivered a dynamic, high-energy experience that celebrated creativity, community, and the enduring passion for custom automotive excellence.

Autorama
Dawn Kelley
DawnK@ExpandMarketingGroup.com

ABOUT AUTORAMA
The first Detroit Autorama took place in 1953 at the University of Detroit Field House as a fundraiser for Michigan Hot Rod Association's efforts to build the legendary Motor City Dragway. Over the years, it moved to the Michigan State Fairground and the Detroit Artillery Armory before coming to Cobo Center (now Huntington Place) as its first paid public show in 1961. In the years since, the show has grown and has earned a stellar reputation as the leading hot rod-custom car show in the nation. To learn more visit www.AutoRama.com.

Detroit Autorama is produced by Championship Auto Shows
Hosted by the Michigan Hot Rod Association
Sponsored by Meguiar's
Presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts

This release was published on openPR.