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The award

Brad Ranweiler was presented with the prestigious Vaughn Early Memorial Award presented by American National on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 for Best 1st Time Shown vehicle at the 50th annual Birmingham, AL O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. His 1963 Chevy Impala Wagon won the hotly contested prize over four other leading contenders. Together, these five finalists were dubbed the “Fabulous Five”.

Started in 2011, the Vaughn Early Memorial Award presented by American National places special emphasis on “the vehicle that best exhibits excellence in design and fabrication”. Each year, professional ISCA (International Show Car Association) judges select the “Fabulous Five”, the top five first time shown vehicles in the Birmingham, AL O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. Each Fabulous Five winner receives a trophy, a sign and $600 cash. The top vehicle from the Fabulous Five receives the coveted Vaughn Early Memorial Award presented by American National and its $10,000 cash prize. The Vaughn Early Memorial Award represents a vehicle as a total package and places its importance on creativity, ingenuity and overcoming design obstacles. The award’s namesake, Vaughn Early, was an avid car lover and father-in-law of the nationally recognized custom car builder, Jonathan Goolsby of Goolsby Customs.

About the winner

The 1963 Chevy Impala Wagon, named “Impressive” was built by Brad, Brady, and Cory Ranweiler of Show Cars Automotive in New Ulm, Minnesota.

About the Event

The Birmingham, AL O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels is the largest, longest running indoor custom auto show in the Southeast. Since 1971, this event has grown in size and stature to one of the most respected shows in the nation attracting top vehicles from across the US. The event producers felt there was no better venue to establish a perpetual award of this prestige than the Birmingham, AL O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels.

COVID-19 Precautions

We are proud to be the first ISCA event and one of the first large indoor events to safely take place since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of our participants and spectators is our top priority. We worked closely with the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex to adhere to rigorous safety standards in order to make this event possible. The BJCC has earned STAR Facility Accreditation on cleaning, disinfection & infectious disease prevention from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC). The GBAC STAR is the industry’s leading outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation. The accreditation evaluates 20 key efforts, from standard operating procedures, risk assessment strategies, PPE & measures to combat biohazards & infectious diseases. Key efforts include proper cleaning & chemicals, inventory management, signage, physical distancing, internal roles, responsibilities, & other safety efforts for guests at the BJCC. More information about the GBAC STAR Accreditation can be found at: BJCC-earns-accreditation-from-the-global-biorisk-advisory-council