Tammy Ray’s 1933 Ford Phaeton is the winner of the 2010 Ridler Award at the 58th annual Autorama in Detroit.
Ray owns a gold mine in North Georgia, and her aptly named Phaeton is called the “Gold Digger.” Built by Ted Thomas of Canton, Ga., the car features Pirelli P Zero Nero tires along with Foose wheels, PPG Paint, Dakota Digital gauges and customized cabin work by M&M Interiors.
Ray’s ride was chosen from finalists who made the grade as Pirelli’s Great 8 entrants. In 2006 Ray was the first woman to be granted Great 8 status, and the experience led her to plan and prepare to win it all at this year’s show.
To be eligible for the “most outstanding custom car” honor, a vehicle must be making its public debut at the Cobo Center event.
Pirelli gives each Great 8 winner $1,000 in prize money as well as a custom jacket and award at a gala ceremony honoring the great builders and owners of the hot rod world.
The Ridler – more formally known as the Don Ridler Memorial Award – salutes the former Autorama promoter, who is credited with molding the event into “America’s Greatest Hot Rod Show.” Working with the Michigan Hot Rod Association, Ridler, who died in 1963 at age 54, shot some spark into the festivities by booking performances by surfer-guitar wizard Duane Eddy, Motown greats Little Anthony and the Imperials, and rock legend the Big Bopper while growing the Autorama’s nationwide stature.
“We are delighted to have the respected name of Pirelli associated with the naming of the Great 8,” says Bob Larivee, Jr., CEO of Championship Auto Shows Inc., “and we are looking forward to a continued strong relationship with the company.”
“Pirelli is proud to partner with Autorama in rewarding and inspiring the passion and creativity builders and car owners have at all levels of customization,” says Rafael Navarro III, director of motorsports and media relations. “The Pirelli Great 8 represents the best customized vehicles in the world from folks that understand passion and performance and demonstrate that in radical vehicle design and customization.”
The 2010 Great 8s are:
Tammy Ray - Dahlonega, Ga. - 1933 Ford
Steve Frisbie - Portland, Ore. - 1933 Dodge Pickup
Robert Walrich - South Lyon, Mich. - 1944 Ford Victoria
John Roxas - Hinsdale, Ill. - 1934 Packard Coupe
Richard and Paige Udell - Swan Lake, Mont. - 1932 Ford Roadster
Bill Keck - Dubuque, Iowa - 1937 Chevrolet
Scott and Jan Burton - Draper, Utah - 1934 Ford Coupe
Jim Linton - Auburn, Wash. - 1934 Ford Coupe
For more information, visit www.autorama.com and www.us.pirelli.com.
