Covell Creative Metalworking was founded by Ron Covell. Based in Freedom, California, Ron Covell stands as a preeminent authority in the world of metal fabrication. His journey into automotive excellence began in the early 1960’s in Los Gatos, where he spent his high school years constructing a flathead-powered Model A, and Deuce 5-window. This early passion led him to a collision repair program at San Jose City College, where he hand-shaped an aluminum body for a ’23 T roadster – which he still owns today.

Ron’s professional evolution was shaped by his tenure with renowned race car builder Arnie Roberts. Soon after, he launched a successful enterprise crafting dragster bodies for legendary chassis builder Kent Fuller. After a decade dedicated to the drag racing community, Ron transitioned to building street rods.

His work gained national acclaim through a Tom Daniels–designed track roadster built for Tom Prufer, which became the centerpiece for a high-profile series in Rod & Custom magazine.

Seeking to bridge the gap between industrial craft and fine art, Ron returned to academia in the 1970s. Under the mentorship of visionaries like Don Potts and Michael Cooper, he earned a Master’s degree in Sculpture from San Jose State University in 1976. This artistic foundation defined his subsequent career, during which his creations twice secured the prestigious "America’s Most Beautiful Roadster" award at the Grand National Roadster Show. His masterful contributions to custom cars and motorcycles have been celebrated in global publications and honored at top-tier shows across the United States, and he is included in the Grand National Roadster Show, and Darryl Starbird Halls of Fame.

In 1993, Ron shifted from builder to educator, launching his inaugural metalworking workshop. The overwhelming response sparked a global teaching career, with Ron traveling extensively to share his techniques with over six thousand aspiring makers. He developed a line of educational DVDs to reach metalworkers worldwide. Known to many as "Professor Hammer," Ron has shared his insights through long-running articles in Modern Rodding, Classic Truck Performance, All Chevy Performance, and the Goodguys Gazette magazines, in addition to being featured in many online newsletters.

After a legendary career spanning over half a century of building for others, Ron Covell has officially entered his retirement. While he has stepped back from commercial projects, his creative fire remains unchanged. Now focusing on consulting, he is simultaneosly following his own passions, and crafting personal projects in his shop, ensuring the Covell legacy of innovation continues well into the future.

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