Once again, the annual Rocket Speed Equipment Open Day, held on Saturday, December 13, saw many neat hot rods, customs, and street machines visiting the Hamilton-based rod and custom shop.
Mike Roberts was there in his bare-metal Model A pickup that we featured in the NZV8 Hot Rod Special, of which you can still pick yourself up a copy. Tania Foster also attended in the late Steve Foster’s bare-metal ’36 Ford coupe too. Noddy Watts even turned up in the 2015 Beach Hop giveaway custom Merc.
An unexpected highlight was Gary ‘Grease’ Martin turning up in his chopped ’32 Ford three-window coupe, which he’s had forever. This time though he had finally rebuilt the blown Ardun overhead-valve converted Ford-flathead engine which was originally in the car when he built it in the mid eighties. What a car and what an engine!
Rocket’s Dan Tyler said, “The turnout was excellent and it’s a great way to celebrate Christmas with our customers and friends.”
Simply put, that’s what the Rocket open day is all about — a laid-back way to thank customers and supporters with an extremely friendly atmosphere. There were plenty of awesome projects on display in the workshop, ranging from Steve Keys’ Ford Thunderbolt replica to a speedway themed ’34 Ford coupe.
The day was about hanging out and soaking up the atmosphere of cool old stuff. As usual, food and refreshments were laid out, and the road closure meant there was plenty of room to display neat stuff to check out both inside and outside of the workshop.
