The Industry Recognition Award from HRIA honors individuals whose contributions to HRIA and the hot rod industry are exceptional. This year’s recipient exemplifies these qualities through an impressive career in car building, marked by an extensive collection of prestigious accolades. He has earned numerous titles, including Builder of the Year at prominent shows like the Grand National Roadster Show and Detroit Autorama, along with awards such as America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, Goodguys Street Machine of the Year, Goodguys Street Rod of the Year, the Ridler Award, Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame, and the Detroit Autorama Circle of Champions. With decades of hands-on experience, he continues to craft distinctive hot rods amid an industry increasingly focused on digital designs. He emphasizes simplicity in design while delivering powerful engine performance, earning admiration from fans and peers alike.

Interestingly, despite his accolades, he hasn’t won the Triple Crown of Rodding, an event he played a pivotal role in creating. His goal for the event was to provide young hot rodders with a supportive platform free from industry politics. Renowned for his generosity, he mentors aspiring builders and nurtures friendships across the industry. It is with great pride that HRIA presents the 2024 Person of the Year Award to Bobby Alloway, acknowledging his significant impact and ongoing commitment to the hot rod community.

Classic Instruments is proud to announce that its director, John McLeod, was recently inducted into the Hot Rod Industry Alliance’s Hall of Fame. John was inducted during the company’s trip to the annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas. “HRIA Hot Rod Hall of Fame was founded to honor and recognize those outstanding individuals in the hot rod industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the status of the industry while significantly contributing to its growth.” The individual must have demonstrated these qualities for no less than 20 years. HRIA contacted John’s wife, Josette, quietly without John’s knowledge, to attend the induction. John credited her the most for his success in the industry.

John has contributed immensely to furthering the hot rod industry through many new product innovations and the support of various organizations that exist solely to build the industry. He has served on the board of the HRIA and held various other board positions in the past. John continually motivates and provides his company resources to help build on the industry’s presence. He has contributed through multiple channels to help get youth involved in the industry.

In addition to his time spent furthering the hot rod industry, John also serves as a Boyne City police officer. He believes in giving back locally and helping further his local community. “Being inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame is an honor I cannot explain; looking at the list of people in the Hall of Fame before me humbles me beyond words. I want to thank HRIA/SEMA for all they have done for me and would also like to thank my family, employees, friends, and all our amazing customers.”

Classic Instruments has been handcrafting in America since 1977. The company offers a full line of catalog order instrumentation for a wide range of Ford and Chevy model cars and pickup trucks, plus over 100 universal fit instruments. The Classic Instruments line also includes many specialty items, such as performance-series instruments, Zeus speedometer technology, and Fuel-Link. Classic Instruments can build virtually anything through their dedicated Instrument Customization Unit. Whether it’s a direct-fit set, retro-fit, or complete custom, their team is ready to help add “the finishing touch” to any project.

Proud member of the Holley family of brands.

Advanced Plating Receives the HRIA Business of the Year Award

Advanced Plating subscribes to three underlying principles… quality, service, and delivery. The company has seen more ups and downs than many will ever encounter, including nearly losing its entire facility not once but four times to fires and floods over its 62-year history. But the quality of their work (look at any of the winning or competing hot rods in the country’s preeminent shows), dedication to their customers and their team, and their willingness to always move forward helped them bounce back and launch forward each time.  

In the simplest terms, they receive ugly parts and return them as automotive jewelry that is finely contoured, refined, sanded, buffed, polished, and plated to mirror-like perfection. It doesn’t matter to them if the part is for an over-the-top custom hot rod or to restore a genuine 1930s classic.

They’ve pioneered new processes and finishes to give builders more creative options when crafting their masterpieces, keeping the industry vibrant and exciting as times and tastes change.
  
Congratulations to Steve and Sheri Tracy on the job well done. They richly deserve the HRIA Business of the Year Award.