Levittown Native’s Van Wins Big in New York

Marty Sooby, a Levittown native and previous resident of Texas has recently been crowned ‘the best’ by the 42nd Van Nationals for his completely reconstructed ’69 Chevy van. A van that according to Sooby’s wife, Joyce, didn’t even run properly until a few days before the event.

It was Sooby’s father who actually encouraged him to go back and win the title again, just like he did in 1987 and 1989 with his crowned jewel named ‘Utopia’. “He always reminded me that I was number one and he inspired me to go do it again,” Sooby said.

This latest van, Sooby has nicknamed ‘Mo-Fo’, an inside joke and expression as to the numerous difficulties he experienced while building it. It was this van though, that brought home the ultimate title for him just a week ago in Greenwich, NY.

In addition to winning ‘Best in Show’ at the national event, Sooby was crowned with the Eagle Award, a special award for a deserving vehicle being shown for the first time ever, according to an organizer.

Sooby and his wife made the 1686 mile drive last weekend with the idea they had something great, but no idea it would bring home the gold.

“You gotta be careful what you dream about,” joked Sooby. “It’s easy to dream something big but the hard part is actually doing it.”

Sooby has spent years replacing nearly everything inside and outside of his ’69, in an effort to replace nostalgia left over from the ’67 Chevy he had when he was younger. A carpenter by trade, Sooby was determined to complete any construction job he could in an effort to fund his dream.

Part of this multi-year restoration, was the installment of a full hydraulics system in the front, that involves just the switch of a button for the front end to completely lift into the air. Sooby’s friend, Mark, joked that the van has literally no door handles. This hydraulics system Sooby knows, is a big part of what makes the van so unique.

“No one has ever done something like that before,” Joyce said.

Sooby claim’s his success his due in part to his patience. “I don’t have to do it all fast, I’m not about that,” he said passionately. “For me, it’s all about taking your time.”

Sooby’s wife, Joyce, said for her the van is like a life-size version of Hot Wheels, a rich, royal blue stud that shines like metallic and is now crowned, the ‘Best in Show’ by a country-wide event.

“When we won, people cheered and we felt that East Coast love,” she said.