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7th Annual Alter Boys Jalopy JamboreeFrom the June, 2009 issue of Street Rodder By Chuck Vranas
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Traditional rodding has gained a stronghold and fortunately has no sign of letting go. Thankfully there are numerous old-time events where lifestyle is king and time-honored traditions are the rule. On the East Coast one of the most well-known events, now in its 7th year, is the Alter Boys Jalopy Jamboree. Known for their dedication to traditional hot rodding, the Alter Boys are a tight-knit group of friends who not only build some of the most recognized hard-core cars on the Right Coast, they also diligently organize an event that attracts like-minded car owners and builders for one of the final events of the season. Utilizing word of mouth, handbills, and occasional advertisements in little 'zines, they work to ensure their event remains unique, where only traditional soup-jobs make the scene, and while billet-laden non-traditional rides, while still welcomed, must park outside the perimeter of the main event. This year was a season of change for the Jalopy Jamboree, which moved from its original digs at Ralph's Diner in Worcester, Massachusetts to their new location at the AMVETS Post in Natick, Massachusetts. Having the event remain exclusive was a major point for the club, and if you didn't know that the show was on, you would never have found it! Located deep within a tree-lined industrial park, inconspicuous markers along the main road led you through long, winding roadways until you made it to the land of hop-ups. Bordering the picturesque banks of Lake Cochituate, there was a perfect balance of open space combined with a tree-lined swap meet area that gave visitors the chance to park their rides and take a walk to check out hip vendors hawking everything from vintage parts to collectibles and culture-related products. If you were looking for somewhere to break out your lawn chairs and polish your ride, you were in the wrong place! Once you had a chance to check out all of the wicked gow-jobs and dramatic customs lining the asphalt, you could hang out with old friends and spend a bit of time making new acquaintances. When the call to feed hit, the barbecues were working overtime with plenty of grilled meat and loads of cold beverages to wash it all down. As this is a true lifestyle-fueled event, the Alter Boys opened the show at 2 p.m., making for a relaxed start while knowing the day would go well past midnight. The Alter Boys are always... The Alter Boys are always hard at work building wicked period-perfect hot rods, and this year the lineup of the club's cars just left you in awe. With a swing of the axe, they bring a new level of cool to vintage iron. Once the sun started to set, it was time for the entertainment to begin and there were no disappointments, as the selection of bands left everyone breathless. With the likes of the Swindells, the Knucklecocks, and Memphis Rockabilly ripping it up, the crowds lurked well into the night, making for a memorable event. As in the past, the club made a number of special picks from the cars that showed up, and this year's selection process was definitely tough with all of the cool rides in attendance. When it was all said and done, Greg Gannon picked up Best Hot Rod while Rich Hallam received Best Custom, and Jay Greco received the Alter Boys Club Pick. With the assemblage of killer rods and customs, not to mention the rockin' bands and a fresh new venue, you'd have to be asleep at the wheel not to know that this show was a hit. By the time the clock passed midnight, the last remaining rods fired up, making plenty of noise as they headed out grabbing gears in the cool night air.  If you were into classic customs,...  If you were into classic customs, the show had more than enough styles and models to check out, including this lineup of neat cruisers.  Looking for a bitchin' '60s-era...  Looking for a bitchin' '60s-era coupe? Paul Burke's Deuce left us mesmerized with a winning combination of a perfectly patina'd body, dressed Tri-power-fed small-block, and slotted mags out back topped with slicks.  Alter Boys member John Scholes'...  Alter Boys member John Scholes' fresh '31 Ford roadster had soup-job written all over it thanks to loads of go-fast goodies like a Tri-power-urged '56 Olds V-8 strapped to the 'rails and linked to three pedals. Wide-five wheels and a simple blanket interior help seal the deal.  Frank Rano's '51 Ford mild...  Frank Rano's '51 Ford mild custom was as nice as they come, with just enough subtle updates complemented by a coating of Sienna red to make it a standout.  Chopped 5 1/2 inches back...  Chopped 5 1/2 inches back in '51, Dave Jackson has owned his '36 Ford coupe since '52. It's a real testament to East Coast style and history with a killer look, original old black gloss complemented by full skirts, flipper caps, and a 296-inch Flathead.  Instead of chopping his truck...  Instead of chopping his truck and dumping the fenders, Wayne Sicotte went the other direction with his A hauler and we dig it! Full-fendered, packed with a hot Flathead, and loaded with attitude, it was just plain reet.  Looking like it was ready...  Looking like it was ready to scream across the dry lakes, Bob Nulman's T-modified was hopped up with all the right goods including Houdaille shocks, cowl steering, chopped windshield, and a 182ci Mercury Marine banger between the 'rails.  Ray and Matt Kinnunen nailed...  Ray and Matt Kinnunen nailed the look of the Deuce with a lustrous coating of '50 Nash Bermuda Metallic gloss accented by a white roof insert and vintage magnesium wheels, while a built 276ci Flathead makes its presence known.  We always look forward to...  We always look forward to seeing changes made by Koby Borodkin to his pale yellow Model A roadster, and this year it came with a fresh Flathead (replacing the tiny V-8/60), neat ragtop, and signature '40s-era good looks.  The biggest treat of the day...  The biggest treat of the day was when we came across the original Roy "Multy" Aldrich '22 Ford roadster, which stopped us dead in our tracks! Built in '32 and a runner at the very first Bonneville Speed Trials back in '49, the car's history just left us in awe knowing it was one of only two cars entered in the modified roadster class that first year.  Ready to run the strip once...  Ready to run the strip once nightfall hit, Mike and Margaret Ann O'Connor's '32 Ford gets its good looks from a perfect stance, curvaceous fenders, just enough hot licks, and a Tri-power-topped small-block.  Well-known on the East Coast...  Well-known on the East Coast scene for many years, we caught up with traditional hot rod artist Jonathan Bradstreet who had just completed his long term Model A coupe project.  Jay Greco's sinister maroon...  Jay Greco's sinister maroon Ford roadster received the coveted Alter Boys Pick thanks to its period-perfect style, which included a Hallock-styled windshield, torque-tube headers, '50 Ford Flathead, and Lincoln Zephyr brakes.  Every so often you come across...  Every so often you come across a Deuce that has it all. Mike Cunnien's coupe not only had the perfect chop and stance, it was meticulously designed and assembled with great attention to detail, including a Columbia rear, Pines grille, and a Flathead topped with Evans heads, dual coil ignition, and Nicson Engineering air cleaners.  Chris Ball's light green suede...  Chris Ball's light green suede '29 Ford roadster pickup was loaded with style thanks to black wires shod with blackwall rubber, Model A grille shell, and a 401-inch Buick Nailhead mill rumbling through homespun lake pipes.  Being a lifestyle event, plenty...  Being a lifestyle event, plenty of pretty dolls always attend. Ginger Jordan was nice enough to strike a pose next to Steve Gove's perfect '35 Ford roadster.  Another freshly completed...  Another freshly completed Alter Boys hot rod was Eli English's '31 Ford coupe that was chopped a healthy 4 inches; coated in polished black suede, and packed with a 364ci Buick Nailhead for power.  Paul Howard's Model A roadster...  Paul Howard's Model A roadster looks like it's straight out of the pages of a "little book." Just back from a banzai-run with the Rolling Bones to Bonneville, the roadster screams '40s cool with its full hood, period-correct attention to detail, and black ragtop.  One of the signature elements...  One of the signature elements of the Alter Boys event is the entertainment, and kicking off the early evening were the Knucklecocks, who had the crowds on their feet.  The Alter Boys awarded Rich...  The Alter Boys awarded Rich Hallam Best Custom this year for his stunning white scalloped '50 Ford coupe. Pictured from left to right are Jared Brouilette, Rich Hallam, Jim Gove, and John Scholes.  Wearing fresh scars from its...  Wearing fresh scars from its recent chop, Alter Boys member Jim Gove's '36 Ford coupe had plenty of attitude complemented by maroon wide-five wheels, satin black gloss, and a '54 Caddy mill bolted to the 'rails.  Receiving the award for Best...  Receiving the award for Best Hot Rod from the Alter Boys is always a significant honor, and this year the privilege went to Greg Gannon for his '23 Ford T, which was originally built in the '50s and recently found in a barn and brought back to life.
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