“It’s a nostalgia-styled hot rod magazine all New Zealand content as much as possible, really…a niche magazine for hot rodders; not everybody’s cup of tea…we’ve never changed from that, it’s always been early cars and cars with no bling. I think once we told a guy we don’t feature cars with true spokes, just to put him off,” these are just a few of the accounts from the staff that produce Jammin Gears Magazine out of New Zealand.

Cal Thorley of Hot Rod Revue had this to say, “Jammin Gears, like many of the automobiles that it features, is a tribute to simpler times. Presented in a nostalgic little pages format and with a staff list made up enthusiasts rather than employees, we caught up with the guys as they prepare to release their 50th issue.”

Thorley continues, “The story appealed to me as the production of the magazine shares similarities with building a hot rod in your home workshop; the low buck and DIY approach, while doing it “for the love of it” rather than being driven by advertising sales or circulation.”

Jammin Gears Magazine is a quarterly work that is run mainly as a hobby and this is the beauty of it–no quotas, no third part pressure, simply creating a publication for one thing–entirely fueled by the enthusiasts that the Jammin Gears crew seek to entertain. “As long as we cover our costs and the accountant is happy that’s as much as we can do really,” a simple statement and a great way to keep love for the culture at the forefront.”

Meet The Crew Of Jammin Gears Magazine

Ken Logan, Editor

• Retired
• East Bay Rods founding member
• Drives Ford and Chryslers

“Ken’s kingpin, right. He’s the centerpiece. He decides what’s going in the magazine.”

Paul Servantie, Photographer/Writer

• Married with children
• East Bay Rods member since 1971
• Has a real job

“I call Servanties actually a consumate hot rodder,” Logan says. “He lives, breathes, and sleeps hot rods all the time and is absolutely passionate about early hot rods. He is a major part of the organization.”

Robert Benzie, Design & Layout

• Retired
• 48 years experience in the printing industry
• Has never owned a hot rod

“Robert as we all know doesn’t know one end of a car from the other,” Servantie jokes. “Robert takes a bunch of stories and a bunch of photos and every three months he turns it into a really good magazine.”

Bernie Beckett, Deliveries & Accounts

• Grandfather
• Long time hot rodder
• Hoarder of early Ford and Willys parts

“I was never really into hot rodding. I sorta looked at magazines in the early days but when I was about 17 or 18 I was going out with my current wife whose sister was going out with a hot rodder; he kinda dragged me into it. From there I haven’t stopped being involved.”

Be sure to check out the video feature above. Stay tuned for more episodes from our friends at Hot Rod Revue as they document and give viewers a unique glimpse into the world of New Zealand’s hot rodding culture.