7th Annual Alter Boys Jalopy Jamboree

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.

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.