Hot Rods In Ontario: Revisiting The Jalopy Jam Up – A-Z Eventz

In 2014, lengthy earlier than I formally got here on board as a Speedhunter, I pitched Ontario, Canada’s personal Jalopy Jam Up as an IATSH-worthy occasion.

As a conventional sizzling rod present, the protection can be a major divergence from the occasions that dominated the entrance web page on the time. If I needed to make a splash as a would-be Speedhunter, the Jam Up was the right alternative to do so.

There was just one wrinkle – on the day of the occasion it rained. A lot. I did what I might, however the splash I hoped for was extra a squish of moist socks than anything.

Four years later, I managed to make my method onboard as an everyday A-Z Eventz contributor, and doing the Jam Up correct justice has been on my punch record ever since.

In these 9 years, the Jalopy Jam Up has grown and switched venues. In that development, it stays distinctive as the biggest and longest-running occasion in Ontario that caters to conventional sizzling rods and customs. This explicit section of automotive tradition has at all times been of curiosity to me, just because my publicity to it’s nonetheless comparatively low.

Like most ’80s and ’90s children, after I first began to essentially discover vehicles ‘street rods’ have been the mainstream norm for any previous American automobile that wasn’t a muscle automobile. Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose dominated the roost and everybody adopted go well with with copious quantities of chrome, billet and teal accents. This isn’t a knock on that period, I beloved it – and fairly truthfully I nonetheless respect many examples – however there was a lot extra to sizzling rod tradition I’d but to expertise.

Eventually, by mates, I turned just a little extra educated. The sizzling rod scene didn’t absolutely seize my focus but, however I couldn’t deny the enchantment of one thing easy, fender-less and loud.

My first Jam Up was so wildly totally different from different occasions I had attended that I used to be hooked immediately. I’ve solely missed one or two since that point. It’s additionally led me to hunt out extra occasions of comparable nature and make many connections among the many native sizzling rod neighborhood. Heck, it’s an enormous purpose I bought my ’51 GMC.

An unashamed slammed automobile man, I discover myself significantly drawn to customized (or ‘kustom’) automobiles.

If it’s low to the bottom, has a flaked roof and oozes model, then son of a gun, I’m in!

What Makes A Jalopy?

One of the toughest issues to elucidate in regards to the Jam Up is what makes a ‘jalopy’. The phrase is extra synonymous with automobiles in states of disrepair than properly-built sizzling rods. I suppose in some ways in which affiliation is apt, a minimum of to non-car folks.

The majority of the jalopies current pull their styling from an period when automobiles have been stripped right down to go as quick as attainable, something pointless being jettisoned with a view to save weight. To the uninitiated, this seemed like neglect.

Fuel injection was just a few years out, wheels have been black and both metal or magnesium, tires have been white, and exhausts have been brief. Driving was an expertise you needed to be alert for, as a result of there have been no aids and outrunning 6-volt sealed beam headlights was an actual concern.

Several of the vehicles on the Jam Up didn’t simply characterize that period, they’re truly from the period, saved from a barn and restored simply sufficient to be drivable in the present day.

When I final noticed this 283ci V8-powered ’32 Ford, the proprietor was chasing down a front-end shimmy. It’s since been fastened and he’s been having fun with all of it summer time, the identical method the unique builder would have carried out so a few years in the past.

Is it just a little tough across the edges? Sure, possibly just a little, however it’s heaps of enjoyable all the identical and ‘fun’ is the core theme of many a sizzling rod.

Eventually model got here again into focus and customs entered the scene. These vehicles prioritized type over operate and no method of modification was actually off limits.

The Jam Up is actually a ‘rad’ occasion for an earlier period of American automobile styling.

Actually, make that American vehicles and bikes….

…Oh, and bicycles and mini-bikes too.

It’s Not That Serious

Some folks assume limiting an occasion to a sure period is elitist, however belief me with the Jam Up – it’s not that critical. Good occasions are extra vital than guidelines and rules.

Yes, the primary present space matches a theme, however elsewhere on the grounds just about something goes. This means there are some significantly attention-grabbing rides hiding out within the numerous corners of the sprawling venue.

Of the wide range of vehicles within the overflow lot, two actually drew me in.

I most likely don’t want to elucidate why I appreciated this bagged Cadillac a lot, however the Tri-Five wagon beneath actually stood out to me for nearly mixing in.

At first look this seemed like a pleasant, low cruiser, however the bars peeking by the again glass recommended just a little bit extra was happening.

As did the aftermarket gauges, a discreetly positioned tachometer and handbook transmission.

The automobile had “just a little small block” nestled within the tube entrance finish, however the proprietor additionally talked about a bigger mill was on the engine stand at house. There’s no rush to place it in simply but as he’s having enjoyable cruising it as is.

Like any nice out of doors sizzling rod occasion, there have been just a few distributors hawking their wares and I needed to get a fast snap of a reasonably wild-looking package automobile that was attainable for $5,000 or finest provide.

It’s simple to see this can be a VW pan-based package, however can anybody guess which one it’s? Throw a guess within the feedback and I’ll let you already know in the event you’ve acquired it.

More vehicles from the overflow space might be within the Cutting Room Floor chapter as a result of I’d prefer to wrap this publish up with one thing just a little totally different.

Drag The Line

Since my days of constructing RC and mannequin vehicles, I’ve at all times appreciated a great paint job. While trendy automobile occasions are good for vinyl graphics or nice stable paint jobs, occasions like this are nice for flames, scallops, flake and pin-striping.

Pin-striping actually blows me away as a result of it’s usually carried out on the spot and fairly rapidly all issues thought-about, and freehand no much less.

Give an artist an thought they usually’ll run with it, utilizing their well-earned finest judgment and the feel and appear of your construct as a information.

In the tip, you’re left with one thing tremendous distinctive to trip round city with as a result of no two jobs are fairly the identical.

It might need taken me just a few years however I’m completely satisfied to have lastly made my method again round to the Jam Up. It’s an occasion worthy of a lot reward, if for nothing greater than giving guys like me an opportunity to return in time just a bit bit.

Dave Thomas
Instagram: stanceiseverythingcom

Cutting Room Floor