Eight hot rods compete for Ridler Award in Detroit

The 59th Annual Autorama has taken over Cobo Center in downtown Detroit with hundreds of hot rods, customs classics cars and motorcycles in what has been billed as America's greatest hot rod show. Judges have selected eight vehicles--dubbed the Great 8--as finalists for the coveted Ridler Award that will be presented Sunday evening at the show's conclusion.

The Great 8 are:

-- Jim Marciniak from Andover, Minn., with a 1963 Buick.

-- Mike Lethert from Roseville, Minn., with a 1939 Ford convertible.

-- Tim Gunsalus from West Alexandria, Ohio, with a 1947 Chevrolet pickup.

-- Burce and Tony Milyard from Grand Junction, Colo., with a 1962 Corvette.

-- Bruce Ricks from Sapulta, Okla., with a 1956 Ford.

-- Kenny Frederick from Geismer, La., with a 1957 Chevrolet.

-- Kenneth Tallent from McKinney, Texas, with a 1940 Ford.

-- Derrick Samson from Marshall, Mo., with a 1951 Chevrolet.

To compete for the Ridler Award, Autorama must be the first time the car has been shown.

Another highlight of this year's show are Hollywood Legends, including the K.I.T.T. car from TV's "Knight Rider," "Starsky & Hutch's" Torino, General Lee from the "Dukes of Hazzard," the "Ghostbusters" movie car and the Monkeemobile.

By Roger Hart