classic cars
This week, the hot-rodding world lost a true legend, Richard Peters. Known for his passion, craftsmanship, and unwavering support of the local car community, Richard’s influence will be felt for generations to come. His was a life filled with creativity, adventure, and a deep appreciation for the art of the automobile.
Back in the ’60s, a youthful Barry Wallner was well known in and around Illinois for his modified ’57 sedan delivery. It was a tough competitor at the local dragstrips, but time took its toll, and most of the dragstrips have disappeared, giving way to housing and shopping-center developments and industrial complexes. But this hasn’t stopped Wallner, who was an adept restorer. So, from the late-’60s through the mid-’90s, he has gone on with other ’57 Chevys to win top show awards.
Have you ever been driving down the freeway or working on your car when that brilliant idea hit you? The more you thought about it, the more brilliant the idea became. When you called your friends for reinforcement, to see if the idea was actually as brilliant as you thought, there was always the chance they might pop your bubble. There are times you find the idea might only be brilliant to you, but other times it could be a life-altering idea, and the start of something that will endure over time. Dick “Scritch” Scritchfield had one of those brilliant ideas back in 1957, when he was working for the National Hot Rod Association’s Safety Safari. It turned out to be a great idea that received plenty of support from his peers. He wanted to start a car club for roadster owners that would reinforce the hot rod hobby.
Even in a crowd of first-rate ’69 Camaros, few will mistake the look and sound of the limited-edition RCR Series3 Camaros, a stunning expression of automotive passion, excitement and history.
When Scott Killeen picks up a camera, good luck getting him to put it down—and honestly, we wouldn’t want him to. We’re still sorting through the endless shots from GNRS 2025, so here’s another batch of custom cars to admire.
A Celebration of Automotive Passion Author Walking into the Madness Step through the doors, and bam—you’re hit with row after row of mind-blowing builds. Right off the bat, Barbie’s pink Cadillac Convertible was stealing the show, proving that even a toy-inspired cruiser can have serious presence. Then there was the Mega Morph Giant Transforming Robot Car—because why not? Nothing says Autorama like a car that can shape-shift. The 2025 Ridler Award Winner and the Great 8 The 2025 Ridler Award went to a beast of a build—Gray Madder, a killer 1955 Chevy Nomad that took things to a whole new level. Built by Southern Comfort Customs, this thing is pure automotive perfection, with flawless bodywork, a rowdy LS3 engine, and custom details that had the crowd losing their minds. But don’t get it twisted—the rest of the Great 8 weren’t exactly slouches. We’re talking about high-end restorations and wild, out-of-this-world customs that brought serious heat, proving once again that if you want to make it in this game, you better bring everything you’ve got. History, Horsepower, and Pure Creativity One of the coolest things about Autorama is the mix of styles, and this year was no different. A 1941 Buick Special, complete with a bullet hole from Pearl Harbor—yeah, you read that right—brought some serious history to the show floor. Then there was the 1951 Mercury done up like a NASCAR stocker, making the trek all the way from Austria just to drop jaws. Why Autorama is Pure Magic Detroit Autorama isn’t just another car show—it’s a full-blown tribute to the obsession, creativity, and hardcore wrenching that makes car culture what it is. Whether you’re into pristine classics, wild customs, or off-the-wall builds that make zero sense but totally work, this show had it all. And as the doors closed on another epic year, one thing was clear: 2025 was a banger, and we’re already counting the days ‘til next year.
If you weren’t at the 2025 Detroit Autorama, you missed out on a pure, unfiltered dose of horsepower, chrome, and custom car insanity. From February 28 to March 2, Huntington Place (yeah, the old Cobo Hall) became ground zero for everything loud, fast, and meticulously built. And smack in the middle of it all? The Cavalcade of Customs—a no-holds-barred showcase of the wildest, cleanest, and most mind-blowing custom rides the country has to offer.
We were back in the Motor City for the 72nd Detroit Autorama, held from February 28 to March 2, 2025, at Huntington Place. Over 800 custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles filled the halls, showcasing everything from high-dollar, jaw-dropping builds to gritty, backyard-bred machines. But the biggest prize? The Don Ridler Memorial Award, aka the Ridler, handed out to the one car that stands above all others for design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.
When we first began publishing back in 1999, I wrote about my friend’s ’32 Vicky. That car, and a ’57 Chevy, was photographed by Scott Killeen and graced that issue’s cover. This helped serve as our coming-out statement for our company—the rest is history.
The Grand National Roadster Show 2025 was an all-out horsepower spectacle, packed with jaw-dropping rides and elite craftsmanship. But one booth that truly stole the show? Brizio Street Rods. These guys don’t just build cars—they create rolling masterpieces that blend power, style, and history into one breathtaking package.
