Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop Unveils a New Project: A Custom 1979 Chevy Van
Automotive enthusiasts and hot rod aficionados are in for a treat as Bobby Alloway, the visionary behind Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, embarks on an exciting new project that promises to turn heads in the custom scene. Bobby is no stranger to setting the benchmark, with accolades including the prestigious Detroit Autorama’s Don Ridler Memorial Award, Grand National Roadster Show’s America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, Street Machine and Street Rod of the Year honors. Of course, this list of accomplishments continues to grow.
In collaboration with renowned hot rod artist Eric Brockmeyer, Alloway is set to transform a 1979 Chevy van into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece built on an Art Morrison Enterprises chassis featuring a 111-inch wheelbase stretched in the front to give more legroom. The original Chevy van sported a 110-inch wheelbase. Alloway plans to mount the body onto the new chassis with a traditional hot rod 5-degree rake. This signature aesthetic has become a hallmark of hot rod design. The upcoming build will showcase Alloway’s trademark style, including a sleek PPG black paintjob, Ohio-style flames, and large billet wheels manufactured by Billet Specialties, the Alloway ET III. Wheel sizes will range from an impressive 20 or 24 inches in the rear to 17 or 19 inches in the front, with the final stance determining the diameter of the wheels used.
Performance is equally prioritized; power will likely come from a formidable Chevy big-block V-8, an Alloway trademark, concealed beneath the doghouse cover. The final choice may depend on the BBC impact on the truck’s interior space. The chassis will integrate a 9-inch rearend and Wilwood disc brakes all around.
Viewers can anticipate a striking black interior inside the custom van, designed for comfort and style. The interior will feature four bucket seats, two in the front row and two in the second row—complemented by a bench seat in the third row. Additionally, a full headliner and cloth walls will be present.
As the project develops, the automotive community is eager to see the innovations and signature touches that Alloway will bring to this iconic model. Stay tuned for updates on this extraordinary build that will captivate hot rod enthusiasts everywhere.
For more information on this and other Alloway projects, visit allowaysrodshop.com or subscribe to upcoming issues of Modern Rodding.
Mister Showman … Bob Larivee Sr.
There are car books and then there are car books. This one, Mister Showman, depicts the life and times of Bob Larivee Sr. It is one of those books you not only should read but also should have in your collection; as it is an outstanding historical and reference guide to the world of show cars.
Bob, a longtime enthusiast and my friend for over 50 years, has experienced good and bad times in the hobby, yet he has never lost that smile or his absolute passion and love for it. He is a true hot rodder; his role as a show promoter was merely his day job. He lived and breathed hot rods. He’s a hot rodder.
Bob Larivee Sr.’s Motor-city Modified Auto Club (MMAC) joined the Michigan Hot Rod Association (MHRA) for the first Detroit Autorama in 1953, showcasing 45-50 vehicles at the University of Detroit Field House. Initially set up as a fundraiser for the New Baltimore Dragstrip, the Autorama quickly gained traction, leading to Michigan’s first official dragstrip, which opened in 1957, with Larivee Sr. as the first manager. This role allowed him to hone his skills in promotion and racing.
Larivee’s racing career began in 1952 and continued until 1977, covering tracks in Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario. During this time, his partnership with promoter Don Ridler enhanced Autorama’s popularity, attracting performances from acts like Little Anthony & the Imperials and the Big Bopper alongside Michigan’s top custom cars. In 1959, Larivee Sr. teamed up with his brother Marvin Jr. to establish Promotions Inc., producing successful events with Canadian car clubs despite initial financial struggles.
By 1960, the third show in Toronto, backed by local media and the Corsairs Car Club, earned a profit of $10,000, cementing Larivee’s future in promotions. In the summer of 1962, he expanded Promotions Inc. while networking with hot rod legends in Southern California, leading to 15 shows that celebrated leading automotive designs. In 1963, he founded the International Show Car Association (ISCA) and introduced innovative judging criteria that persist today.
Twenty years later, Promotions Inc. produced 100 shows annually and collaborated with major specialty manufacturers. Larivee Sr. continued to evolve the car show landscape by integrating renowned figures from hot rod culture, music, and film, providing a platform for Detroit’s automotive leaders to unveil innovative vehicles.
After 35 years, he sold Promotions Inc. but remained active in the automotive art scene, establishing a fine art exhibit at the SEMA Show, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012. He later sold much of his prized hot rod collection to “Speedy” Bill Smith for the Museum of American Speed. As an entrepreneur and author of Show Car Dreams, Larivee Sr. aimed to create opportunities for enthusiasts to connect with the best hot rods ever made.
The book can be ordered from Janine Carlson by calling (248) 770-1932 or visiting janinecarlson@sbcglobal.net.
