At the conclusion of the SEMA Show on Friday afternoon, attendees were encouraged to make their way outside the Las Vegas Convention Center to see several hundred cars, bikes, trucks, and other customs drive to a nearby parking lot for an after party, SEMA Ignited. In addition to seeing the cars in motion, attendees and the public that couldn’t get into the trade show also witnessed the conclusion of the “‘Battle of the Builders” competition, featuring the trio that survived from the original 10 contestants.
Securing those final three places were Chip Foose and his 1965 Chevrolet Impala, Alan Johnson and his 1953 Studebaker, and Bobby Alloway with his 1922 Ford roadster.
The other competitors had been:
- Ryan Basseri, Honda Integra Type R
- Jeremy Gerber, 1973 Chevrolet Camaro
- Phil/Jeremy Gerber, 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
- Eric Kozeluh, 1995 Toyota Supra
- Andy Leach, 1962 Chevrolet bubble top
- Jim and Mike Ring, Ford Mustang fastback
- Kyle Tucker, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
Ultimately, Bobby Alloway took the title with his classic Ford that included a 241cid Red Ram HEMI with six Stromberg carbonators.
“Oh my gosh, it feels so good to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said Alloway. “I’m still numb and winning this is just as great as Ridler or Great Eight win. I just about didn’t enter this because I didn’t think I had a chance with an old hot rod as it doesn’t have all the technology the rest of the builders have.”
Photography by Hans Marquez