I don't think an Alloway car is ever really 'dated'. They are timeless examples of his version of professionally built Hot Rods created in 'his' shop, like coins stamped out, one is pretty much like the other, for that reason. If I wanted one like that I would go to him. What is dated are the judges, the criteria for the show, and how those who compete think. The judges have a check list that gives a certain weight to elements of what is included and how well it is incorporated; fit, finish, overall appearance, etc, ad naseum; and even though personal opinion factors into the sum total of what they vote for, the final choice does not always jibe with my own personal taste --- which is informed by different values. You, of course, are more than a little bit encouraged to apply this idea to an argument for the choice of any of the other contenders. The problem with shows is that cars are generally built to compete for the trophy and as such all considerations are given to what the judges want to see, rather than building cars that have other intended uses. Every so often they pick a roadster that is full-tits in synch with my ideal; otherwise it would be like maintaining an interest in goings on of what's happening in Street Rods, or Model Cars; certainly not wham-o on for my undivided attention but still interesting. The actual fact of the matter is, to my knowledge there is only one place where cars that I like are shown: on the street, at the drag-strip, and in garages being tinkered with. For me the ideal Hot Rod is driven ragged and always has just one thing that needs to be done before it's perfect.
I wish the naysayers could see this car up close like I was able to. Bobby gave us a personal tour of the car about an hour before the awards ceremony, and he showed us a bunch of the little tricks on the car. The workmanship is mindblowing, and the car IS a hot rod. It's got an injected Hemi with a manual transmission and a Quickchange. Since when does that not constitute a hot rod? We talked with Vic Cunningham, the head of AMBR judging, and he said that Alloway's car sounded NASTY during the fire-up portion of the judging. We're never going to agree 100% on the winner, and I'm completely OK with that because it shows that we all enjoy different styles and our hobby will never get stale because of that.
Well said, I agree. A bad ass early hemi, manual transmission, quick change, and buggy springs front and back. This car is a HOT ROD. Every artist has there style and I respect Bobby for sticking to his guns for what he believes in. The car is pure craftsmanship and detail at its finest. Job well done for the Alloway Crew.
I apologies if my comments offended anyone. I don't doubt the quality of this automobile at all. I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread. -Dave.
How does the Trophy work , I know the winner from each year is added to the base , But is there a 7 foot dupicat Trophy of the Original given to the owner of the car each year? That Roadster is very well built in every detail , But for many hear on the HAMB , It's just not what most think of as a A.M.B.R. Pre 70's Roadster build's ,, In the pass there been a few that where WAY out there !!! Some How was Granited A.M.B.R title . My self I like HotRod & Jolpy's look mid 60's & earlier, but if I was to Owen this A.M.B.R. I think I would have to spray some primer in a few places for My Likening,( just me) & this Roadster paint is what ? Around $20,000 - $35,000?
I don't believe "Grasshopper" is qualified the AMBR. We all have ideas of what constitutes an AMBR winner. This is a "traditional" forum and the GNRS moves with the times. If I had a say Ivo's bucket would win every year. By the same token I wouldn't kick this years winner out of my garage. Congrats to him.
The AMBR winner keeps the trophy for a year, and is given a smaller trophy to keep. His name is engraved on the big trophy, and it is given back to the promoter the next year.
So it's a kit car. Now this is something I don't get. It's nothing more than a gussied up kit car. No, it's not something I'd care to have in my garage. Call me a hater.........whatever. I don't get it.
I personally am not a huge fan of show cars and huge wheels. I will say that these types of shows are great to showcase what the builders are capable doing and it's great that the owners can fund the build to allow a project to happen. To say that any high end cars built using a steel aftermarket body makes it a kit car is a kick in the balls to the builders. I'm pretty sure Speedway won't be putting these in there catalog anytime soon!
That's EXACTLY right. Nice looking car? Absoluetly. Build quality? Untouchable. Cookie-cutter ride? No doubt. Not a hater. Just sayin'.
It's a kit car. You buy it new and put it together. A kit car. Whatever it is it is NOT a 33 Ford. If you like new cars masquerading as old ones, great. To each their own. My opinion is there are build threads here everyday that far more impressive than this car. I watch guys here turning a 4 door into a 2 door and I'm impressed. I'm not impressed with someone that can simply bolt a car together. (not trophy worthy anyway)
How does starting with a steel reproduction body make it a kit car? I like real Henry steel, and thats what I build, but this ain't a kit car. A factory five is a kit car. Do you slam the bitchin brookville 32 3 windows Walden and Rollin Bones builds too ?
I'm not sure that "Kit Car" should universally be used as a pejorative term. I wouldn't put the new United pacific '32 in that down sided class, it's an exact copy. My impression was that the SAR was an interpretation of the original. So, if you take an aftermarket interpretation body and every other part is new and bolted on, regardless of skill,care and craf5tsmanship (undeniable here) it's a kit car. How else would you define kit cars? The bottom line is that this car just isn't what's thought of as a traditional HAMB car. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. So, maybe let's leave it like this: until it's driven on the road it's a show car.
Any of you who think that the winning car is a bunch of bolted on aftermarket pieces have ZERO clue as to what it takes to build a AMBR car. Is the car my taste, nope, but I am not ignorant enough to think that all they did was bolt a bunch of pieces together.
"I'm sick to death of people saying we've made 11 albums that sounds exactly the same, In fact, we've made 12 albums that sound exactly the same" Angus Young
Having done the street rod thing in the early '70's I have to say I was already bored with the "Andy's instant T's", pro built cars by Magoo and all the others, after my third rod run. By the early '80's I was totally burnt out on mega buck cars built for rich guys. I'd rather look at a real hot rod that was just drug out of a shed after 50 years than AMBR. I'm a BAD person!
The car is beautifully finished, but for me the proportions of the '34 get thrown off a bit by the use of the long sedan doors. To my eye the car now looks too short forward and it makes the rear half of the car look too ungainly. I just think the stock lines and proportions are better. Nicely done, though.
Maybe 50 years from now when someone (discovers) this car (Alloway 33) they'll all be touting it as a survivor and everything will again be right with the world?
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