PPG-painted 'Checkered Past' takes 50th annual Ridler Award

‘Checkered Past,’ a 1940 Ford coupe featuring a dazzling red PPG Industries paint finish by Charley Hutton, has won the 2013 Ridler Award, one of the custom car world’s most coveted honours. The announcement was made during the 61st annual Detroit Autorama at Cobo Hall.

The Ridler Award is presented to the most outstanding custom car or truck making its debut appearance at the Detroit Autorama, held annually in March. This is the third time in six years that a PPG-finished entry has won, and it is especially significant this year because it marks the prize’s 50th anniversary.

Checkered Past is owned by Ron and Deb Cizek of Bennington, Neb, USA, and was the first car created by Andy Leach and his crew at the newly-opened Cal Automotive Creations in Omaha.

Hutton, regarded as one of the most accomplished and talented painters in the custom car world, did the paint work at his shop, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio, in Nampa, Idaho, where he exclusively uses PPG Automotive Refinish products. Hutton gained a national reputation with appearances on Discovery Channel’s ‘American Hot Rod,’ on TLC’s ‘Overhaulin’’ and on Hot Rod TV. This is his third Ridler Award, after previous wins in 2005 and 2007.