The Detroit AutoRama hot rod show took place this past weekend, which means there’s a new Ridler Award winner. The prize is handed out to the best in show and this year’s winner took seven years to complete.
The 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air is nicknamed ‘Elegant Lady’ and was commissioned by Rex and Rhonda Satterfield, who own a trucking company in Tennessee.
Jeff Wolfenbarger’s Kool Kolors Rods and Customs started the project, but it was picked up by Kevin Riffey’s Hot Rods and Customs after Wolfenbarger died on Christmas Day in 2024.
The two-door convertible rides on an Art Morrison chassis with a fully independent suspension and is powered by a 1,000 hp supercharged GM LS7 V8.
It’s painted a custom color called Light Coffee and features the dashboard from a 1956 Pontiac, which has been updated with modern instruments that feature a classic design.
The Ridler Award comes with a $10,000 prize that could never come close to covering the cost of the build, which was not disclosed, but was surely deep into the six-figure range.
Satterfield told Hagerty he won’t actually get to enjoy the car’s power because “it’s in too good of shape to drive it.”
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