Rex Satterfield’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air, completed after the death of original builder Jeff Wolfenberger, won the 2026 Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama.
Influence and history of automobiles in the automobile city of Detroit
Here are some facts about Detroit’s auto industry.
Rex Satterfield was hoping his 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible would win one of the BASF Great 8 finalist slots at this year’s Detroit Autorama. But winning the Ridler Award, one of the custom car industry’s highest honors, was something he never expected.
“I’m just overwhelmed right now,” the Russellville, Tenn., native said as he left the Huntington Place Ballroom in downtown Detroit and headed back to the exhibit hall on Sunday, March 1. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
Being recognized as one of the BASF Great 8 vehicles is a victory in itself, as the car is considered “the absolute pinnacle of custom automotive craftsmanship in the world,” according to the show. Cars undergo an intensive vetting process.
And the effort brought unexpected emotional complications as original builder Jeff Wolfenberger passed away in December 2024 and was battling cancer while continuing to develop the car, dubbed Elegant Lady.
Kevin Liffey of Kevin Liffey’s Hot Rod and Restorations in Knoxville stepped in and finished the job Wolfenberger started. He has previously finished in the Great Eight with two other cars. The goal of this car was simple: it was called a “dedicated show car.”
Located prominently at the front of the show floor, Elegant Lady boasted a creamy appearance known as Light Coffee. The car has a 1,000 horsepower Don Hardy race engine. The gauges, wheels, and gas tank are custom, and the dashboard is from a 1956 Pontiac.
Satterfield plans to tour the car and enjoy every moment of it. He has loved cars since he was a child.
The Ridler Award, named after the Detroit Autorama’s first publicist, Don Ridler, carries a cash prize of $10,000. The award was presented on the final day of this year’s Detroit Autorama, which ran from Friday, February 27th to Sunday, March 1st. This event was the 73rd.
Eric D. Lawrence is senior auto culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Send your cool auto tips and suggestions to elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
