A 1996 Honda Accord Si-R just beat a Lotus Esprit Turbo and a Chevrolet Silverado Dually to win a build challenge worth $50,000. Another $50,000 goes to a nonprofit that trains the next generation of restoration craftspeople.

The winner is Larry Chen, a renowned automotive photographer and builder, who won the RADwood Build Challenge.

Report: THE SHOP

Three Builders, Three Cars From The 80s And 90s

Each of the three builders transformed a vehicle from the 1980s or 1990s while representing a nonprofit. Mike Burroughs built a 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo, and Vin Anatra built a 1994 Chevrolet Silverado Dually.

Chen’s entry was the 1996 Honda Accord Si-R, a car that fans of Japanese performance sedans know well.

The Crowd Chose The Accord

The cars debuted at RADwood NorCal on Saturday, October 24, at the Gold Bar Hangar in Alameda, California. Attendees voted in person, and Chen’s Accord was the crowd favorite.

That is a nice reminder that a modest sedan can still beat a sports car and a big pickup when the build is done right.

$50,000 For Chen, $50,000 For A Cause

Chen won $50,000, and the nonprofit he selected, the RPM Foundation, received another $50,000. RPM is an entity of America’s Automotive Trust.

RPM program officer Abigayle Morgan accepted the award on the foundation’s behalf.

What The RPM Foundation Does

RPM supports restoration careers through paid apprenticeships, mentorship, preservation of endangered skills and industry recognition.

The $50,000 will go toward building career pathways for emerging craftspeople. Executive director Nick Ellis said, “RADwood-era cars are the next generation of classics.”

Chen Showed The Work To His Audience

Chen documented the build for his online audience. That drew attention to the people who maintain and restore automotive history.

The result is a good example of how a hobby project can help a bigger cause.

Two Months, Three Nonprofits, One Winner

The challenge asked each builder to take a vehicle from the 80s or 90s and make it shine while raising money for a cause. Each entry represented a different nonprofit, so every vote counted for charity as well as for a car.

That format gave the event an extra edge. Attendees were not just picking the prettiest car, they were backing the group each builder stood for.

Why A Honda Won Over A Lotus

A Lotus Esprit Turbo from 1989 is an exotic with wedge styling and a following of its own. A 1994 Silverado dually is a big, tough truck that many people grew up around.

The Accord Si-R, by comparison, is a car many owners drove every day. That familiarity may be why the crowd connected with it.

It also shows that builders can win over a crowd with a car people actually remember from their own driveways.

What RADwood Is All About

RADwood is a show series that celebrates cars, trucks and culture from the 1980s and 1990s. People show up in period clothes and bring the cars they once owned or wanted.

The NorCal event took place in Alameda, California, and it gave builders a stage to debut their work in front of a live crowd.

Who Is Behind The Money

The RPM Foundation is part of America’s Automotive Trust, a nonprofit group that supports the car hobby. Its focus is on training people and keeping rare skills alive.

A donation of $50,000 supports apprenticeships and mentors. For a young person starting a career, that support can make all the difference.

Why The 80s And 90s Are Getting Classic Status

The cars that teenagers once admired are now old enough to be collectible. Vehicles like the Lotus Esprit, the Accord Si-R and the dually pickup are drawing fans who grew up with them.

That has pushed prices up for clean examples. If you own a well-kept car from this era, it may be worth more than you think.

Why Skilled Trades Matter For The Hobby

Every classic car depends on people who know how to weld, paint, upholster, machine and tune. Those skills take years to learn, and many of the people who have them are retiring.

Programs like apprenticeships and mentorships pass those skills to younger workers. Without them, restoration shops would struggle to find help.

How To Start Learning A Restoration Trade

Look for community college courses and technical schools that teach auto body, welding or machining. They often cost far less than a four-year program.

Visit local restoration shops and ask if they take apprentices or part-time helpers. Many are glad to meet young people who are serious about learning.

Join a car club. Members often share tools and advice, and clubs can connect you with shops and suppliers.

Practice on a cheap project. An old lawn tractor or a basic car teaches welding, wiring and bodywork without the stress of a prized classic.

Keep notes and photos of your work. A portfolio helps when you apply for a job or an apprenticeship.

If you already know a trade, think about passing it on. A few hours with a teenager in your garage can start a career.

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