Rolling Bones road trip to Bonneville 2010

It was an epic road trip with the Rolling Bones from New York to Bonneville Speedweek and back, clocking up over 5,500 miles in '32 three windows at 90-100 mph all the way.

The trip was brutal - I survived and wasn't shot, staked out in the desert or left for dead by the side of the road in Nebraska - an ever present threat. I even managed to resist growing a soul patch and coming home with a few tatoos as souvenirs.

I met lots of interesting people and we saw ZZ Top play in Wendover. (Billy Gibbons is a friend of the Bones and came to visit us on the salt but we just missed him as we were running late for a magazine shoot).

These are the two coupes I spent most of the time driving, Ken's on the left I drove most of the way there and all of the way back and Richie's (on the right) I drove all the time at Bonneville...

Below is the Bones's '32 roadster I raced at Speedweek...


Here are some photos of the journey there...




















I'll post some more photos soon when I've had a chance to sort them out.

Plans have already been made for next year to drive the roadster from NY to Bonneville, swap engines, instal the roll cage, seat, harness and fire extinguisher system etc, race the car at Speedweek, then remove the safety gear, swap the race engine for the road mill, then drive back to NY.

Regards

Jon'.

 

great pics, those cars all kill

 

This happens to me all the time!

Killer shots. How do the louvers in the roof do in the rain? I put louvers in my roof and I get that question alot, only I haven't driven my car since, so I need a good answer other than you get wet!

 

Cool pics! Good to see the orange coupe finished.

 

Epic.

 

Cool trip story in a bunch of cool rides...."w/o air cool that is"
Thanks for the posting

 

Thanks for the excellent pictures especially this one which proves the equivalent of Automotive Viagra:

 

Too cool. I'd be happy just to sit in a Bones car, can't imagine driving one cross country.

 

I'm normally not super fond of 32's but these guys have them dead-balls perfect. I'd love to make that trip in a car like that. Glad you had a great time.

 

Really great pictures and cars. This trip is on my bucket list in the coming years. The cars have the look everyone tries to copy. Thanks for the photos.

 

x2.

What an adventure!

 

Damn, you can't even bottle cool like that...................

 

Looks Like An Awesome Trip. Great cars.

 

East Coast well represented by some the best around. Y'all RULE!~

 

Here's older shot of Billy in the Bones roadster...



As for the louvred roof in the coupe, it's OK so long as you drive fast enough.

Glad you all like the photos, more to follow.

Regards

Jon'.

 

Very Cool indeed! Thanks for sharing.

 

The rest of the journey to the salt with a few taken from behind the wheel of "Ole Betsy", the 56 sedan delivery...




































So that was the journey there, more photos from Speedweek to follow.

Regards

Jon'.

 

awesome

 

Jon,
Great trip & great pictures. I enjoyed meeting you and hanging out on the trip. I am also planning on 2011.
Red Truck Driver Bill

 

Certainly was Bill, looking forward to seeing you at the Bones' garage night, if not before. Can't wait until next year...

Regards

Jon'.

 

great pictures love the one behind the yellow freight truck that is where i work thanks

 

What motors are these cars running?

 

Flatheads in Ken's 575, Richie's coupe and the '32 roadster, Y-block in Keith's black 59 and a 327 in Dave's orange 98.

Regards

Jon'.

 

I went and saw ZZ Top at the OC fair and they mentioned there trip at bonneville. Great pics. Looks like a darn good time!

 

Many thanks and much respect goes to Ken, Keith and Billy for what they did for me and my family at Speedweek. Forever grateful!

 

Great pics. Can't wait to see some more.

 

was very good seeing you guys at Bonneville... Great trip!
racinman

 

Jon , looking out a five inch windshield and over the louvered hood of a hot rod . The purr of a vintage engine and the wine of the quick change . Hot rods passing and being passed at speeds "slightly" over the limit , meeting old friends and making new ones along the way , the excitement of the last 90 miles once past salt lake city , driving onto the salt that first morning , the relief of getting through tech , strapped down as low as you can get, your hands gripping the wheel , heart pounding , looking down the salt waiting for the starters signal , the pull of the engine with each gear as she gives you all she's got for three miles , watching that 3 mile sign go by , the smile that creeps onto your face as you coast to a stop the little flathead having once again done herself proud , the recounting of the days runs beer in hand leaning on your hot rod in the nugget parking lot ,
it's about this " thing" you share with those who understand , it's bonneville , it's the sacred ground of hot rodding , it's about the people and the hot rods are the glue .

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

gotta admit i miss those trips...someday I'll be back at it...