[Madd Syntst]

TM 454, you sign off with Rat rods rule. On Ebay, if you search Rat rod, you get all kinds of fun stuff. I am finding that as with other automotive terms, this one seems to get adulterated somewhat. It is more than black primer and a couple of decals.

My question is what constitutes a rat rod?

[crazygutgut]

What you say is "rat rod" (black primer and decals) is what I think of as the "suede" look. I had always considered a "rat rod" as the purposely not finished hot rods. Yeah some have back primer and decals, some are not painted, and have crappy old paint, or rusty, they usually dont sport rims of any sort except hub capless factory wheels. they are chewed up. I think most peoples "finished" hot rods go through some sort of RAT ROD stage before completion.
I actually prefer the rat rod look, over the Foose and Codington built G-Machine$ any day. The guy with rat rod usually has dirt under his nails and any money in his wallet goes for beer and smokes and keeping his ride going.

no lets restart up that "sleepers" discusion again....

Gluck

[tm454]

My Rat Rod is a 37 Dodge business coupe. It is not a show car, I don't always buy new parts, used are just fine and the paint is old. I installed a 4.11 posi out of a Z28 with a 300 hp 327 sbc out of a 69 Chevelle and a powerglide out of a 62 Impala, a mustang II front end from Meyers and a mustang II radiator and a Billet steering wheel and a Buick steering column. I scrounge around and find parts, a buddy had a pile of drive shafts so I found one that was the right length and cleaned it up and used it.



Todd



Rat Rods Rule!

[Nos]

nice!

[crazy larry]

anything thats built, while in the process of collecting parts, you scare a rat out of a pile of junk/parts......

[drgnwgn289]

The term "rat rod" was first used by the high dollar, show cars guys to describe the low-buck drivers. While there is nothing wrong with using used parts and a little oakie inginuity...there is a lot wrong with shotty workmanship and unsafe cars.
It is a general rule that most hot rods are not as safe as new cars...however,exposed rotating components in the passenger compartment, poor welds and other hazards can earn a car the name rat rod. It seems now though that every car in suede is refered to as a rat rod.....lingual evolution I guess

[78 monte]

So ratrod is the modern term for true hotrod??Seems to me scrounging used parts and many different ones into one vehicle is what hotrodding is truely sposed to be.Right???

Originally posted by drgnwgn289 While there is nothing wrong with using used parts and a little oakie inginuity...there is a lot wrong with shotty workmanship and unsafe cars.

So your sayin draggin the old monte with welded spider gears,coat hangered exhuast and a broken seat bracket was a bad idea??? How bout having a burnout problem,when the car came sidways out of the box with my power steering pump broken..................sorry. lol

[Madd Syntst]

Oooo Monte, that was very profound! I like looking at the Boyd mail order hot rods. I can appreciate the work and design, but I don't find them practical. I guess I think rat rod means a daily driver that is out of the ordinary and has a certain "owners flair" to the build.

TM454 - Do you have plans to finish the Dodge'm?

Dragon 289 I am just going by the pictures, but I consider your wagon a finished rat rod. You still work on it, but it is finished?!

Larry - That works! Never heard it put that way. My avatar car is a pile of left over parts that is turning into a c-cab truck. No rats yet, but 1 black snake and many spiders.

[ianhealey]

one black snake and many spiders rod it dosent quite have
the same ring to it

ive been helping a friend with his rat rod the while he has spent plenty on street machines and always admired hot rods
you know one day I'm gunna build one
ive been telling him they arnt that dear to build
he rings me up ive bought a chassis and some stuff (a model)
advertized $ 2600 paid $1800
buys ford fairlane $800 (351motor,c10 box ,9"diff)
commodoor (Opal) rack and pinion $20
wrecker takes shell no charge
neighbor comes over to see whats going on says he'll cut steel for boxing $33.60 slab of beer
rodder freind donates mitsubishi van for front end free wrecker takes away for free
sells 9" diff $400
buys chrysler centura $100 8-3/4 diff
sells centura to guy for spares $150 he complains he missed one
last week for $100
left hand door $150
any way hes under $3000 and having fun. the mega dollar boys dont approve but as soon as it passes rod club tech inspection
and gets registration hes crusin in his rat rod (pics to come)

[Madd Syntst]

Ian, I believe you have captured the essesce of hot rodding in one post. That is exactly how I am doing things and so far, I'm at $863. I can't wait to see the shots of this rat rod. (Or do you blokes down under call them dingo rods)

[ianhealey]

got it wrong a rat rod ate my dingo

[klassik100]

Ian

Dont forgt to mention that Eugenes car is becoming a possibilty also due to the efforts of His mates Ron, Greg and yourself not to mention whoever else has had a part in the build. That is hotrodding when people help each other like they have on his car.

What about the straight out zoomies he used while cruising the rod and custom picnic using the rod as a leaf blower. lol

PS I have the car in a magazine here somewhere I will try to dig it out and scan it


Craig

[ianhealey]

it made it into two mags the picture is black and white but the
look on their faces

[klassik100]

These photos were taken about 12 months ago or so

Craig




Craig

[Madd Syntst]

Thanks KLassic. Those are great right hand shots. You mates have got in going on! You also hit the other main ingredient so many of us forget. The second set of hands. You may be able to weld, build, paint, wire, and all other things, but you can't put a price on a second set of hands or another eye to see if it's straight. I subscibe to the "Brothers (and sisters) of the Wheel" way of life. I do not put prices on what I give or trade some people, because I know it will come back to me in aces!