2018 Ridler

chevman

Oldtimer
I just now ran across this video and it makes me wonder if paint is one the items they judge on a car. I have seen paint jobs like this at the Autorama, but I sure wouldn't expect to see one of the great 8 contenders with paint like this, let alone the winner of the Ridler award.
 
My biggest issue with these is when the owner of a shop is there soaking up all the credit and getting all the lime-light for the talented tech's that actually performed the work and never have I ever seen one of them ever say it's because of these guys, and introduce them, that this dream became reality. The reality is without the talented tech's the shop owners (for the most part) are worthless when it comes to making it all come together.

I must be missing something looking at this on a tablet, looks good on this little screen. I will look again when on my laptop and see what your seeing, hopefully.
 
I see some waves in the side of the silver Chevy. Also you can see the variance in contours of the door, fender and 1/4 panel. That's how they were from the factory but at this level and this type of build the sides of the car should be symetrical and obviously dead straight. Which if I'm thinking like Chevman is thinking , completely unacceptable for a car of this level. I'd be willing to bet the body and paint work was rushed to make the deadline for the Detroit Autorama (show that awards the Ridler). Who wants to bet that there is a lot of filler in that car. Most certainly doesn't look like Chevman's when sighting it down the side. :cool: Chev post a link to those pics so everyone can see what I'm talking about.
 
I started the video at the right spot so you could see what I'm talking about right away. The fender looks more like the ocean surface, the door not as bad.
At first I thought they must be judging mostly on creativity, and not much emphasis on paint, so I looked it up. I don't care for the route they took on this, but I do think they did some very high quality work, except the paint is not up to this award, not even the Great 8 that they pick a winner from.
This is out of the official guidelines.

"Over the last forty years the award has evolved to better conform to new ideas, changing designs and concepts. Today it emphasizes creativity, engineering and workmanship."
 
My fenders more or less look the same. Ive kind of gathered that some people dont notice, pay attention, or maybe just dont care about the defects or waves. Ive pointed out things on my own work to other people and they look at me like Im crazy half the time. I suppose its possible the judges just looked by it or didnt even notice it.
 
My fenders more or less look the same. Ive kind of gathered that some people dont notice, pay attention, or maybe just dont care about the defects or waves. Ive pointed out things on my own work to other people and they look at me like Im crazy half the time. I suppose its possible the judges just looked by it or didnt even notice it.

IN a local or regional car show sure that's possible. But this is the Ridler, which is "THE" Award in the Hot Rod Industry. So those Judges should notice stuff like that. That's what Chev's point was.
 
I have friends that built a great 8 car in their shop that was runner up for the award 10 years ago or so. They told me every angle, nook and cranny had to be perfect. Underside of everything cut and buffed. Never got a number but they did say it starts at a million to even contend for the great 8. That was years ago and they have to up the ante every year. Probably easily doubled that now.

They also mentioned shops try to time these builds so they won't fall on a year that Foose or Trepano? are bringing a car. They said in their research that the name power was hard to overcome and you just avoid it if you can.

I saw some dips in the fender also. They have to pick 8 cars and maybe #9-100 had more defects. My guess is the all the machine work detail trumped the fender. All the custom stuff was impressive. Probably one trip around the block in Detroit and these cars would fall apart. Between custom stuff breaking and bondo chunks dropping out. They are works of art though.
 
I see what you mean, the judges have to pick the best 8 from the ones that are there, so I guess Its more on the painter. What kind of guy in the position of working on a ridler contender would allow these defects in his work. I know most of the experienced guys here would not allow that to happen.
 
I see this at all the shows I goto. Cars that wave at you from across the street win best of show. And you think they must be related to the judges somehow. Or maybe I'd just be too critical of a judge?
 
I see whay you guys see now. Yea with this award you must have extreme OCD about your work. When I do something that I know is going to any show or will be atleast looked over by the "street-walker Pro want-a-be". I scrutinize my work and incorporate a fresh set of eyes to look it over too.

The issue this kind of work demands is that you must have OCD to do it and if your serious about doing it you will develop OCD and you must have the trait in you that you will not give up till you got it. It can (for me atleast) be very stressful that you haven't overlooked something or caved in to "that's good enough".
 
It's hard for me to inderstand how a Great Eight winner can have any defects in the bodywork/paint. Like Brad said these builds are at a minimum 1 million probaly like he said more like 2 million. How does that happen? And if that is the best they could find sheesh, It's the Ridler award for goodness sakes!
I went in 2002, the year Foose won with the 35 Chevy. Every great eight winner looked perfect. I didn't see any flaws in any of the cars. Perfect panel fit, alignment and finish. Foose won because that car was over the top with detail.
 
Chevman, I think Chris was referring to your work, which even in bare metal looks straight as a laser!

No doubt, that takes a special kind of OCD ;), W.A.R does some really nice work also with metal. I'm not so proud that I can't admit that I can't achieve those results without the help of filler of some sort to get it that straight. My hats off to those guys with that skill set.
 
With any car , you can get a different opinion of things in person than on camera. No doubt though it was looked at more up close on all the fabricated details than standing back the body. Definitely a show car that may have never even driven around the block, how else would those turbo headers still be so shiny.
One other thing I never understood at many judging cars shows I attended is how people with such boring ass paint jobs won? Shouda been SPI black or red.:p
Guess most judges aren't body men & painters.
 
Last edited:
Heres something to think about for that fender. Maybe it was perfect on the stand and when they bolt the inner fender or bracing it gave it a slight distortion. Happened to me before. Heck even side mouldings on a 50's car can distort the straightness of a door once it's installed. Granted at this level all of that should have been taken into account but crap happens.

I'm sure in person this car is a lot nicer than we are giving it credit. Crazy camera angle or who knows.
 
Chevman, I think Chris was referring to your work, which even in bare metal looks straight as a laser!
Just don't ask any questions, because its been so long I don't remember what I did, and besides that I have a special kind of OCD
1f912.png

These are the best fender pics I have.

36613165-bec7-47c4-aa9f-f67d328542c7_zpsq07zaasm.jpg


1dedc99f-30b9-485c-bb0e-158c6c62ccb7_zps6b27e8a3.jpg
 
Just don't ask any questions, because its been so long I don't remember what I did, and besides that I have a special kind of OCD
1f912.png

These are the best fender pics I have.

36613165-bec7-47c4-aa9f-f67d328542c7_zpsq07zaasm.jpg


1dedc99f-30b9-485c-bb0e-158c6c62ccb7_zps6b27e8a3.jpg

Simply stellar! If that doesn't make you slack-jawed over of the talent and hard work that goes into that, there's something wrong with ya.

Have you gone any further into the project since those photos?
 
I didn't want to post any pictures because I was afraid someone might ask that. The last time you saw it was after I put epoxy on it, and I'm giving it time to cure good. Hopefully in a couple years it will be good enough to continue, but I am eager to start again, and when I do I'll post it. BYW, It was originally yellow and white, but I decided to make it black with red and black interior, just seems to make sense.
 
Back
Top