Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods Featured In A Red Kap Product Video

Hollywood Hot Rods is a name synonymous with style and finesse. Troy Ladd has been honing his craft for a number of years in a small shop over the hill from Hollywood in Burbank, CA for a number of years now. His builds have landed him within the pages of a plethora of magazines and featured on many covers, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The real depth comes from within the man himself. His easy going nature and zeal for building cars from the ground up is equal parts infectious and down right holy. Craftsmanship is a fading concept in many areas of our disposable culture. Thankfully people like Troy Ladd continue to push the perceived limits.

Custom Leather Straps For A Hot Rod Gas Tank

Custom Leather Straps For A Hot Rod Gas Tank

It can be a damn good feeling to see the work you just put a lot of time and effort into go onto a vehicle to be appreciated. Big thanks to Jose of the Road Devils Car Club and specifically the all active military chapter the Devils Brigade for the project. Need some custom work done, send us an email ralph.knuckles at gmail.

The Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop Feature Video

The Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop Feature Video

Film maker Brian Darwas currently produces feature length documentaries on Hot Rod and Motorcycle Culture. All of which have gone on to win awards, and have been well received. He's now changing things up a bit, making a handful short films that anyone can share freely.

"I feel it's important to our scene that high quality moving images, which can both awe and inspire, are available to anyone at anytime. My goal is to reach the younger generation. The generation of people who grew up on the Internet, and turn to it as a source of new ideas and inspiration. I'd like to instill in them the notion that hot rods, motorcycles, and building stuff by hand is still cool and relevant." ~ Brian Darwas

Husky Burnette Feature Interview In Rat Rod Magazine

Husky Burnette feature interview in RatRod Magazine

Huge congrats to Husky Butnette for his feature interview in Rat Rod Magazine. If you are a fan of DIY vintage rides and built not bought hot rods, this is a magazine for you. Congrats hombre on the huge feature and for kickin' ass day in and day out.

Check out Rat Rod Magazine

Follow Rat Rod Magazine on Facebook

Heavy Rebel Weekender 14 Was As Epic As Ever

The Mud Rasslin' was alive and well at Heavy Rebel 2014

If you want to know about a good time to be had every July 4th weekend, then look no further than attending the Heavy Rebel Weekender, in Winston-Salem, NC. Three days of great music, incredible people and one of the best ride in car and bike shows on the east coast. Events go on far and wide, but not much can compare to the level of hospitality that is presented by all the staff of the Millennium Center and especially Greg the owner along with festival guru's Dave Quick, Courtney Southern and Scott Allen. They make this event what it is and now five years in a row, we are damn proud to be solid supporters of it. 

Check out some of the bands below we got to check out along with some photos from the event. Would have enjoyed taking a bunch more photos, but duty called and our booth was busy all weekend. 

Blowing An Engine And Having A Team To Rebuild

Blown engine and friends line up to help out

This photo could have been taken from another era, but this is the type of vibe that we had at Steel In Motion, this past weekend. Group of friends gathered around an engine to help out when needed is true solidarity. This is how we operate as a music label and custom manufacturer, along with our friends for any mishap that life throws our way. Mopar Rob was quite bummed to blow his tricked out motor, but in the bigger picture, we are all here to help him rebuild.

Want To See Cool Motorsports Imagery From The UK?

Dennis Goodwin is always capturing a great view

Flickr is always a great repository of photos and ideas. Every day when I log into my account and see the cool imagery being posted by others it makes me a proud contributor to such a diverse and wide open pool of talented folks. These photos all belong to Dennis Goodwin of England and do yourself a favor, start following all of his racing and motorsports related imagery.

While you are over at Flickr, check out our page as well

Rory Kelly - Lay To Waste - Video Teaser

Rory Kelly is making damn sure the world knows him about and his upcoming album due out this spring

Earlier this month we jetted out to the mountains to shoot a new video with Rory Kelly as he is preparing to drop a stellar new album and will be touring far and wide this spring. In late May, he will then fly over to Europe and do a three week hot lap conquering more territory and laying to waste all stages in his path. 

Check out a sneak peak of the new video and some still shots, stay thirsty my friends...

Cruising the back roads to pick up his band mates

A rare break while shooting or just a 6 am shoot time?

Remember that band Crank County Daredevils?

1971 Dodge Duster doing what she was meant to do

Fuel Magazine Releases Issue 15

Fuel Magazine releases issue 15 detailing an interview with Los Angeles based photographer and car nut Magda Wosinska

Every issue that pops up from Fuel Magazine is well articulated and put together with fine precision. Their high level design, photography and writing never fails to disappoint and helps to show us on the other side of the Pacific, just what they have cooking down under.

Fuel Magazine, number 15

Andy Colalillo’s stunning ’34 Roadster.

Dave Mucci‘s latest custom build

Mikael Lugnegård‘s cool digital hot rod concepts

Michael Morris’ Chevrolet custom

Melbourne based Gasolina‘s latest custom build, ‘Sub Zero’

1972 Challenger

Grumps Garage Is The Place To Be In Southern California For Motors and Music

Feed your addiction for all things motors and music, check out Grumps Garage in Lake Elsinore, CA

One of the great aspects of running a company such as Rusty Knuckles, is all the great folks I get to meet. It could be fans of the bands or folks who purchase from us online or many of the dealers and distributors that carry our products. Each of those individuals means a great deal to us as we value our business and the reputation we choose to uphold.

On a recent and very brief trip to southern California to work on the Billy Don Burns documentary, we made time to stop off in Lake Elsinore and meet up with Mark Carrillo of Grumps Garage. Let's get right to the point, Mark is a solid dude and what he has built there on Main Street is something truly impressive. The attitude, the vibe and the overall presentation of all that is Grumps Garage is quite awesome to check out. Details about in his store layout along with his plans for promoting more shows for bands stopping in on tour. 

Do yourself a favor and dive into all that is Mark Carrillo and Grumps Garage, with a few quick questions below. We are damn proud to have the music of the bands we work with carried in his store and to hopefully get a few tours routed through the shop in the very near future.

Interior of Grumps Garage in the parts section

1. What gave you the impetus to start Grump's Garage?

Been in the hot rod parts retail side for 11 years before I started my own gig. As the time approached I wanted to do the hot rod thing, but wanted to incorporate my love for the music I had deep inside. Had known some shops to carry a few CD's and what not, but never completely focused on it.  Being in the scene and hitting shows, I always knew how key a role the music played. Wanted to focus down and be somewhat genre specific. When you think hot rod, you think 1950's rock 'n roll & rockabilly, as it is incorporated a bunch in the shows. I myself had a passion for Hank Williams and found this whole underground movement of Country music. So I created a hot rod music section that encompasses Americana/Country, Blues, Early Rock 'N Roll, Psychobilly, Rockabilly & Surf. In doing this, I instantly became the only Hot Rod Parts Shop to have a fairly complete Music Shop as well.

Old signs, gas pumps and petroliana are in abundance

Need to find out what is happening in the independent Roots and Country music scene? Call Grumps Garage

Vintage items are in abundance

2. Once you found the right location, what makes Lake Elsinore a great place to run the shop?

I studied the Inland Empire for some time to figure out where I wanted to land. Ultimately, I wanted to be centralized in the County and at the same time be fairly centered between Orange & San Diego Counties as well. Being somewhat of a Hobby Shop, needed to be accessible from many areas. Being located on a Historic Route, Route 395, also is a good advertising tool for my foreign customers as well. And lastly, being located right off of the 15 freeway enables me to have bands visit between the 2 counties I mentioned. Whether they want to do an advertised in store appearance, just visit, or decide to play one of my Saturday night shows once my venue is set...it just felt right.

3. With the large inventory of parts, which areas do you focus on?

While most of my inventory focuses on 1928-48 Ford Car & 1928-56 Ford Truck, I do carry a bunch of accessories that work with any ride. I am also adding in unique used items that can be restored or used as-is on ratrods. It is vitally important to be flexible and work with all car people. If someone wants to start with a ratrod and work their way up to something else later, fine. Whatever I can do to try and persuade a kid to own a piece of American history and not waste money on an import that will never retain its value.

4. Why do you think hot rod folks are so into music?

I just think that at the point in history where hot rodding was born, Rock 'N Roll was just coming to the forefront. Has gone hand in hand ever since. Today, I see a hunger in people of not only exploring the early hot rod history, but also the history of the music.

5. Tell us more about your plans for the outdoor music venue and what type of acts you are bringing to the shop.

Well, I'm always thinking of what I can do to keep my shop the most unique. At the same time, want to help spread the word of the music that encompasses my daily life. Venue? Had some good space out in the back of my shop, and decided what I thought I would enjoy. What it will ultimately end up being: A small scale 1940's Gas Station with seating for up to 80 people and standing room for another 20-25. The type of acts is easy...Country (the type I carry, not what's found on the radio), Rockabilly, Blues and some unplugged rare performances from some Psychobilly bands too. I feel that in this sort of intimate setting, the bands and patrons can create a more personal relationship.

Mark Carrillo is doing something great with his store, Grumps Garage

Need More Metal Flake In Your Life?

Roth Metal Flake spray paint

One thing that can be tough to find in a spray can is good metal flake paint. Quite a few basic colors are available in silvers from most auto parts stores, but the more exotic colors are a bit tougher to come across. We have had a few projects where adding some nice touches of color metal flake would have been great, but the only options were from Duplicolor and of course there was no variety. 

Options are a beautiful thing to have in life and knowing that Roth Metal Flake now offers a variety of colors in spray paint, we couldn't be happier. Well, maybe if the prices were in line with Duplicolor, we could smile a bit more. None the less, variety is the spice of life and go seek them out for a multitude of options as from all the posts on the Jalopy Journal, seems to be a great product.


Roth Academy Episode 1: Rattlebomb Basics from Roth Metal Flake on Vimeo.

Heavy Rebel Weekender 2013

Let's just get things started off correct by saying, damn do we enjoy being a part of Heavy Rebel Weekender. Mucho thanks to Dave Quick and Courtney Southern for making a great event even better by really keeping it all running smooth and efficient. Also a huge thank you to Greg who owns the Millenium Center in downtown Winston-Salem for all the great food and hospitality that they provide. Can't say enough folks, if ya haven't been to the event, mark it on your mental calendar as one of those festivals that is all about the down home vibe.

Check out more of our photos on Flickr

Had to hop off the Wheelin' Towards Willie tour to head back to NC for Heavy Rebel, leavin' Dallas on a jet plane

Road Devils Car Club radiator sign

Hangin' with the one and only Billy Velvet of Crank County Daredevils and Holy Rollin' Hellfires

Pure and classic, what could be better than an original Knucklehead

Futuramic fender with style for miles

This belly tanker was the highlight of the day, damn great to see a car built for racing and done DIY

So the story goes a Knuckle and Flathead show up...

Old man Fred and his beard ride are always a hit

American Speedway are damn great live and the beer was flying

Trailer queen? Broken down or maybe just not done yet, you be the judge.

Brand New Carolina Still Tshirt - Runnin' Moonshine

Somedays there is nothing better than letting a pencil and sharpie work their way out of my system. For the longest time I worked on "art" that was perfect. When I say perfect, what I really means was that I was all about trying to achieve the perfect human form and line work within my illustrations. The biggest thing it did was to kill any fun I was having while drawing.

Spend a long time drawing hands, faces or body gestures and you either get really good at it and can do it in your sleep or you just get burnt out on it. As of late, these looser illustrations have been a lot more fun and I can knock them out in a few hours. Really enjoyed this one as the car is one that my buddy Mopar Rob just got back on the road and it's also for the fellas in Carolina Still.

Process drawing as a photo on instagram.com/rustyknuckles

Final illustration and rendering for Carolina Still's new hot rod tshirt - Runnin' Moonshine

Fuel Magazine Issue 13, About To Arrive

Fuel Magazine is one of the best looking publications out there, catering to all things on the underbelly of motorized machines. The look, the vibe and the design are top notch. Eye candy at it's best and surely another great issue about ready to hit the masses square over the head.

Order your copy today

James Bond might be quite jealous of this cover

One gorgeous Coupe

1934 Ford Tudor Hot Rod

Hustler Vintage Race Boat

Custom Lincoln Continental

1950 Dodge Wayfarer Business Coupe Under The Knife

As spring has sprung, many folks are working their asses off to get the latest builds done and out to shows for the summer season. Mopar Rob is cranking away on his 1950 Dodge Wayfarer Business Coupe. This is a two owner car and one of the best aspects is that the other owner just so happened to be his grand father. Nothing better than keeping it in the family.

Mopar Rob cutting out the old firewall with the plasma torch

Cleaning up some excess metal that needs cutting with the grinding wheel

Cool assortment of taps and dies

Cleco pliers, clamps and caps

The Wrench N' Roll is for the hot rod crowd as well as motorcycles

Walker Turner wood and metal drill press

On and Off switch for a early 50's drill press

Engine Pressure gauge and a top tool box

Dodge firepower valve covers