RILEY’S ’72 Chevy
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
All Mocked Up
When building a street rod, unless you are building it to look like the day it rolled off the showroom floor, you find yourself constantly hiding whatever you can, wherever you can. One area that usually ends up hiding more items than was ever intended is the dashboard.
The dash is the one area that lives up to the old saying, “10 pounds of stuff in a 5-pound bag,” which generally carries with it a whole set of challenges and/or problems. When it comes to the ’33-’34 Ford, conditions are worse than normal, as there’s practically no space behind or under the dash. By the time you place your gauges and an A/C unit, there is little room left for much else, including a glovebox. When your needs are such that you require a certain amount of equipment behind the dash, most of the time the answer to your dilemma is a smooth dash.
Curves, Chrome, and Legacy: Fat Attack 2026
The Fat Attack exhibit at GNRS 2026 rolled in with curves, chrome, and attitude, and at the heart of it all was the undeniable legacy of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts. Pete Chapouris and Jim Jacobs didn’t just make parts — they made a movement, showing the world that 1935–1948 fat-fender cars could be bold, street-ready, and built to impress. With Fat Jack Robinson riding shotgun in the history books, these curvy machines were a mix of drivable street heroes and jaw-dropping showpieces, proving there’s room for both in the fat-fender world.
Rear Disc Brakes
If you are driving down the highway in an older car, you are at a major disadvantage if you have to make a quick stop. Many of the high-performance cars being built today have fantastic stopping power, and if you can’t stop as well as the car in front of you, that could certainly be a big problem. The owner of this ’55 Chevy improved it with front disc brakes that work well, but he wanted the Chevy to stop even better, so he decided to add rear disc brakes.
Spotlighter
RODS ON THE RIVER
The Strawberry Festival Car Show and Cruise-In
A look back at the 2006 Strawberry Festival in Dayton, Tennessee, where The Auto Builder hosted the first Rods on the River car show, drawing crowds, classic cars, and community spirit.
Author
Josh Kaylor
Words & Photography
A Look Back at the 2006 Strawberry Festival in Dayton, Tennessee
Every year in May, the Tennessee Valley is filled with travelers and neighbors from the surrounding areas who come to celebrate the Strawberry Festival. In 2006, the 59th annual Strawberry Festival, called the Strawberry Stampede, was a huge success, with literally thousands of people filling the streets and flocking to the festivities. That year’s festival was particularly important, as it was our second year of attending but the first in which The Auto Builder could actually involve itself. We sponsored the Friday cruise portion of the weeklong festival, which we called the Rods On The River. Every year on the Friday before the Strawberry parade, classic cars, trucks, street rods and hot rods flock to the historic district of Dayton. Come 5:00 p.m. the city closes the main streets so that all the hot rods can park.
The Auto Builder Debuts Rods on the River Car Show
The Auto Builder put a twist on an old tradition with the addition of a car show that started mid-morning. The first annual Rods on the River turned out to be quite a success for a first-time event. Carrie Hassler and Dead Rain provided live music that was enjoyed by all, and The Auto Builder supplied barbecue and beverages for those who registered and were on hand in time for lunch. The Auto Builder’s own Jim Dalton designed custom billet trophies for the show, and John Dianna awarded them to eight lucky participants. The show began in the early morning with beautiful weather that couldn’t have been nicer had we ordered it firsthand. High 60s and low 70s made it absolutely perfect to be by the water, and the beautiful surroundings made it that much more pleasant.
A Diverse Display of Classic and Modern Cars
There was a great turnout with enough diversity for everybody. The Mopar guys came out, as did the street rods and classic trucks. The show had everything from Model As to import tuners. The lake provided the perfect place, and the flawless green lawn was a pleasant place to be for an early morning car show. Starting at around 10:00 a.m. and lasting well into the night, the event went perfectly.
Cruise-In Tradition Highlights a Memorable Weekend
Late that afternoon, everyone cruised over to town where the annual cruise-in took place. Cars lined the streets and fun was had by all. The Auto Builder Big Rig was displayed with a few of Dianna’s cars, which included a ’58 Pontiac wagon, a ’49 Olds fastback, his Lil’ Buck ’32 sedan and his ’34 Vicky. The crew from Coker brought an 18-wheeler, which displayed a few rides of their own, including a totally unrestored ’55 Chevy Bel Air hardtop and Old Indy Racer, which Corky likes to take on the Great American Race, along with a neat old white truck with kerosene-burning headlamps. The weekend went well, and we were already making plans for the following year. It was laid-back, fun, and a memorable chapter in the history of The Auto Builder’s involvement in community events.
BONUS: From the Archives
We’re excited to share a rare glimpse into the 2006 Strawberry Festival with a gallery of never-before-published photos from the event. These images capture the energy, craftsmanship, and community spirit that defined the first-ever Rods on the River car show and the legendary Friday night cruise-in. From classic rides along the waterfront to behind-the-scenes moments with The Auto Builder crew, this visual time capsule brings the day’s unforgettable atmosphere back to life.
