AutoBidMaster Rebuild Challenge 2026: Now Running Year-Round!

The AutoBidMaster Rebuild Challenge is back, and this time, it’s here to stay.

After the record-breaking 2025 contest pulled in 100,000 views and showcased ten finalists who turned salvage wrecks into remarkable builds, we’re making the biggest change in the challenge’s history. Starting in 2026, the Rebuild Challenge runs year-round!

Four chances to enter. Four chances to win. Four opportunities to transform salvage into something spectacular and get recognized for it. Each contest runs independently with its own prize pool, judging panel, and People’s Choice voting. That means more winners, more exposure, and more opportunities for builders restoring salvage title cars to earn big rewards.

Submissions for the Spring event are now officially open. You can submit your entry here.

This Year’s Prizes

Similar to 2025, cash rewards and Premium Membership packages are on the line for every contest in 2026.

Main prizes include:

• 1st Place: $2,000 + 1-Year Premium Membership
• 2nd Place: $1,000 + 1-Year Premium Membership
• 3rd Place: $500 + 1-Year Premium Membership

People’s Choice Award:

• Social Media Winner: Additional $1,000 + 1-Year Premium Membership

The People’s Choice Award runs separately from the judging panel. After finalists are selected, voting opens on Instagram, where the community decides who deserves the extra recognition. It’s entirely possible to win both — like Matthew J. did in 2025 when his five-day Corvette rebuild captured both Second Place and the People’s Choice Award.

Every winner gets featured across AutoBidMaster’s social media channels, giving you exposure to thousands of car enthusiasts and potential clients if you’re rebuilding salvage cars professionally.

How to Enter the Spring 2026 Challenge

Ready to compete? Here’s your action plan:

1. Purchase your project vehicle

Browse AutoBidMaster’s inventory of salvage vehicles. Look for something that matches your skill level, budget, and vision. Whether you’re eyeing a sedan with front-end damage or a sports car with hail damage, start with a vehicle you’re confident you can transform.

Note: Clean title cars don’t qualify — this is about salvage transformations. 

2. Complete your rebuild

Take your project from damaged to drivable. Whether you’re restoring it to factory spec, building a custom creation, or converting it into something entirely new, the quality of work and creativity matters.

3. Document your build with photos

Take photos from the moment you win the auction. Capture the initial damage, disassembly process, parts replacement, and final assembly. The more documentation you provide, the better your submission tells the story.

4. Submit through the official challenge page

When your build is complete, head to the AutoBidMaster Rebuild Challenge page and submit your entry. Include your best before-and-after photos, a description of the build, and any details about challenges you overcame or unique approaches you took.

Remember, each quarterly salvage rebuild contest has its own submission deadline, so plan ahead and submit early. 

5. Wait for judging

A panel of over 100 AutoBidMaster auto and logistics experts evaluates all submissions. They’re looking at craftsmanship, creativity, degree of difficulty, and overall transformation quality.

6. Vote in the People’s Choice round

After finalists are announced, public voting opens on Instagram. Rally your community, share your build, and get people voting. Even a single supporter can make the difference between third place and first.

Start Planning Your Build Now

The new year-round format means you don’t have to rush. If you’re not ready for the Spring auto auction contest, you can wait for Summer submissions. Miss that one? Fall and Winter are coming. However, getting started now gives you the longest runway. Browse the inventory, identify potential projects, and start planning your damaged car transformation. The more time you have to source parts and execute your vision, the better your final build will be.

The Rebuild Challenge isn’t just about winning prizes. It’s about proving what’s possible, learning new skills, joining a community of builders, and inspiring someone else to take on their first salvage rebuild.

Register for free on AutoBidMaster and start exploring thousands of salvage vehicles. Your next winning build might be sitting in tomorrow’s auction listings. 

Spring submissions close June 30, 2026.