If you aren’t familiar with the Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama, the quick and dirty is that it is arguably the most coveted car show award on earth. It is also never without drama. These cars are built and finished to a detail level not seen on anything else and just being chosen for the Great 8 is an accomplishment to be proud of. In order to qualify for the Ridler you must be showing your car for the very first time ever at the Detroit Autorama. You can’t have shared the build online, you can’t have spoken about any details, you can’t have spilled the beans at any level. If you do, then you’ll be disqualified.
In the video below, the 8 finalists who have made it to the Great 8 are highlighted before one became the winner of the 2026 Ridler Award itself.
Watch.
Video Description:
From 1,000hp street machines to meticulously reimagined classics, this year’s finalists prove the Ridler competition is tighter—and bolder—than ever.
