[Max Keith]

From what Ive been able to garner on the topic over the years, a HOT ROD is basically anthing thats been hopped up, however, since some people even want to be politically correct with car classification, Hot Rods are cars built prior to 1949, which is considered the first year of the modern era vehicles.
1950 on up are considered street rods.
As for "rat rods", if you went by dollar value, and somebody like boyd coddington, 99% of the rods of any description on the street would be rat rods.
Growing up in the 50's and 60's, the term rat rod was mostly applied to cars that were well built, and had excellent chassis etc, but werent the prettiest cars around most running suede paint jobs. In other words all the bucks were put into making the car faster, better handling, etc and absolutely no emphisis on looks.
As the old saying goes," If it dont run, ya crome it".

[willowbilly3]

I think we all know what you were looking for without the whole debate on what should or shouldn't be called a hotrod. As stated most will tent to be 20s-30s cars of the open variety but coupes are popular too, and sedans. Then there are the T bucket variations and mostly those have a fibreglass tub and actually no parts from an old car.
And for what it's worth, the term ratrod really irks most of the guys who actually own one. It is a WAY overused term that now applys to anything with flatblack paint and red wheels whether its a 27 t roadster or an 89 Nissan Maxima.

[rockdaddy]

i think my home made 32 chevy roaster is a real rod!!!!!!