By the time 7PM hit you could...
By the time 7PM hit you could barely walk through the shop with all of the rodders in attendance who stopped in to check out the latest builds and cool Jeff Norwell-designed threads for sale.
East Coast hot rodders are dedicated to seizing the moment when it comes to the weather, knowing full well that if they wait to think about it that it'll most likely change. Usually by the time November rolls in its time to add a bit of fuel conditioner to the tank and layout plans for any needed updates during the off season, which is often wrought with ice cold temps and sloppy roads. One of the coolest things to help get through the winter months are open houses held at various hot rod shops and home garages. Some of which like the one hosted by the Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop in Greenfield Center, NY, have attained a cult status as the winter party not to be missed. It's a chance to get out for the night, meet up with old friends, do your share of bench racing, and check out everything the Devil has been hammering on for the last few months in the inner sanctum of the Bones shop. Like clockwork, the weather gods showered the town with everything from snow and ice to freezing rain in an attempt to keep hot rodders home, but the true loyalists made it to the shop to take in the festivities. It was a perfect time for Ken Schmidt and Keith Cornell of Rolling Bones to have close to 200 visitors check out their latest builds, hear about road trip plans to Bonneville, grab something tasty to eat from the mountainous food table, and talk about the hot rod gospel till midnight struck. This year there was once again a large contingent of rodders in attendance from California as well as others from all over the country, including two very distinguished guests from England who made the trip. Along with showcasing three new builds which will be ready for the long haul to Bonneville in August, the peak of the evening came when master engine builder Jim Fleming fired up Richie Whalen's freshly rebuilt blown Flathead on the engine test stand echoing through straight pipes! This is one winter get together that should be on your calendar for next year. You can check it all out at www.rollingboneshotrodshop.com
Dick DeLuna's new '34 Ford...
Dick DeLuna's new '34 Ford coupe was holding court sporting its freshly completed front sheetmetal and wickedly updated Cockshutt grille. This car will definitely set the road on fire heading to Bonneville.
If you want it done right...
If you want it done right you bring it to Jim Fleming. Flathead-master and all around great guy, Jim was preparing to fire up Richie Whalen's fresh blown Flathead to wow the crowds.
Peter Guida's just completed...
Peter Guida's just completed '29 Ford roadster was pure evil with its signature Rolling Bones chassis, Hallock-style windshield, Schroeder steering, angry Y-block V-8, and nasty stance.
The interior of Peter Guida's...
The interior of Peter Guida's roadster was period perfect thanks to a neat design and stitching by Dorie Depasquale of Gloversville , NY , complimented by an old timey sprint car steering wheel.
The crown to any Rolling Bones...
The crown to any Rolling Bones hot rod is its skull radiator cap capturing its lineage.
Another nearly completed build...
Another nearly completed build was Jorge Zaragoza's Brookville-bodied Deuce packed with a supercharged Flathead linked to a 5-speed aching for the open road.
Jorge was so captivated by...
Jorge was so captivated by Jeff Norwell's latest designs that he actually had the brush-master himself come to the shop to hand paint the design on both doors of his new Deuce.
The Zaragoza coupe was hammered...
The Zaragoza coupe was hammered hard, louvered to death, quick change-equipped, and ready to rewrite the book of gow.
Rolling Bones road trips are...
Rolling Bones road trips are legendary and we can hardly wait to see this pair of wicked Ford's winding their way to the salt this year.
In a rare moment when they're...
In a rare moment when they're not building some of the most sought after hop-ups, we caught Ken Schmidt (left) and Keith Cornell (right) of Rolling Bones before the open house started.
You never know who you'll...
You never know who you'll meet at the open house. We caught up with artists at large Jeff Norwell (rear), Larry O'Gorman (front left) and Cameron Watters (front right).
This stout little Flathead...
This stout little Flathead capped with Offenhauser finned aluminum heads freshly rebuilt by Jim Fleming was awaiting its installation into John Suckling's street/race Deuce roadster.
Each year the paint booth...
Each year the paint booth gets converted to a galley for a number of talented artists to show off some of their latest creations. This year hot rod illustrator Scott Fisk of Studio 669 had a number of originals, prints and even sculpture on hand to check out.
In another area of the gallery,...
In another area of the gallery, Jeff Norwell exhibited some of his latest creations including cut-away illustrations of the original two Rolling Bones hot rods as well as creative new idea concepts.
If you fly 3,000 miles from...
If you fly 3,000 miles from the sun into the frigid cold you can count on a reserved seating area in the shop! The gang from California visiting included (from left front to right rear) Joe Casanova, Nick Rogers, Dennis Varni, Dick DeLuna, Al Engel, Mark DeLuna, and Tom Batchelor.
George Poteet's infamous Bones...
George Poteet's infamous Bones coupe was on hand for everyone to check out as it gets prepped for another long haul to Bonneville and back this season.