'This makes me feel extremely good,' she said, shortly after Nolan Finley, the Detroit News editorial page editor presented her the award. 'I wish my husband was here to see this.'

The car was among 50 vehicles competing in various categories in the Dream Awards, a competition among American performance cars from 1916 to 1948, street rods, traditional hot rods, customs and other models.

Dick Ruzzin, the chief judge and retired General Motors Corp. designer, said it was difficult to tell one detail that makes a car a winner. The 1940 Ford won because of many meticulous details.

'It's the overall character,' Ruzzin said. 'He (the late Dudek) did everything right. It's all black. It's a perfect car for this particular model and year. It's just a great example.'.

Other winners are:

• Hot Rod Racers: Jon Hall, Arden sedan

• Street Performance/Heritage Hot Rods: Bill Couch, 1934 three-window coupe

• Traditional Hot Rods (Rat Rods): Ashley Webb, hand-built roadster

• Street Custom: Mike Bayer, 1958 Thunderbird

• Muscle Rods: Rich Cornell, 1965 442

• Sports Cars/Power and Handling: George Huisman, 1967 Mustang

• American Performance from 1948 to 1990: Art and Jan Peterson, 1969 GTO Judge

• Factory Muscle Cars: Kelly Kovacs, 2006 Mustang Roush

• Street Custom/Focus on Looks: Rich Peck, 2001 Toyota Celica GTS

• Green Machines: Jack Beatty, 1916 Detroit Electric

• Best in Show: Ashley Webb, hand-built roadster

• Spirit of Innovation: Jeff Hansen 1969 Camaro