Hooptie style

BLACKSBURG - Before rap star Xzibit began souping up cars for MTV's "Pimp My Ride" show, Dave Robinson was tricking out his own vehicles for his unique taxi service.

Four years ago, Robinson, 32, was managing Gillie's restaurant in downtown Blacksburg. He parked his 1972 purple Buick Electra on College Avenue while he worked.

"It was just my car fixed up to fit my personality," said the 2000 Virginia Tech graduate who earned his bachelor's degree in environmental science with a minor in chemistry. "I noticed people stopping to check it out all the time."

His desire to be an independent businessman - coupled with the needs of partying college students - birthed Hooptie Ride. Robinson started it with his Buick, as a free designated-driving service before eventually expanding it into his own business with staff and a small fleet of vehicles.

Now Robinson, who still drives and serves as dispatcher, fields up to 100 calls on a busy weekend night. The company's slogan is: "Don't just get there, get there in style."

www.hooptieride.com.

- Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan Notable Hooptie riders:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Neville Brothers

Fishbone

The Wailers

Virginia Tech basketball player Carlos Dixon

Robinson tried to give Blacksburg Mayor Roger Hedgepeth a ride once after a Tech football game, but Hedgepeth just laughed and waved him on. Standard in all Hoopties: Mardi Gras beads hanging from mirror, color-corresponding velvet hat and CD player/stereo.

The lowdown on the fleet The Hokey Hustler What: 1994 Dodge van.

Features: Metallic orange exterior paint with turkey tracks; orange velvet side walls and headliner; maroon velvet limo-style bench seats; red neon lighting; chrome hubcaps; DVD player; 12-inch subwoofers. The Mystery Mobile What: 1986 Dodge van.

Features: Metallic lime green exterior paint with orange flowers; green velvet limo-style bench seats; green velvet side walls and headliner; green neon lighting; chrome hubcaps; barnyard animal-sound horn; 10-inch subwoofers. The Purple People Eater What: 1972 Buick Electra.

Features: Purple metallic exterior paint; purple velvet seats; whitewall tires.

Note: Now semiretired, Hooptie Ride owner Dave Robinson saidformer Virginia Tech star Michael Vick once gave him a jump start.

The Disco Caddy What: 1984 Cadillac Deville sedan.

Features: Copper metallic exterior paint; gold velvet interior side walls and headliner; spinning rims. Mini disco ball hangs in back. The Dreamboat What: 1975 Buick Electra.

Features: Teal blue metallic exterior paint; extra-wide whitewall tires. Coming soon:

The Boss Hog A 1978 Lincoln that will be painted white and feature bull horns on hood.