If you leave the words ‘rat rod’ out of the question then everything built applies.
if you leave rat rod in the question then nothing built applies.
This is hotrodder! Not ratrodder.

 

IMHO, the 30 Ford model A is the best. It has the classic coupe/roadster lines, and they're not so heavily promoted as the Deuce, which has almost become cliche.

 

The "best" is strictly personal opinion. Having built numerous cars, every one of them was the "best"! Did/do I have favorites? Yes, my 58 Edsel Pacer 2dr. ht. was my favorite! Bottom line what is best for you is the "best"!

 

There is no general goto yr or vehicle which is better to build. A hotrod is an art form of the individual. A hot rod is far from being a certain make or style. Everyone has different likes. I like tire shredding inconspicuois vehicles. That is just me. A sleeper type ride that has fun under the hood.

 

For me it's late 1930's Chevy coupes. '37-'39 specifically. But I am biased.

 

Generally speaking, the one I am working on right now. I have owned so many cars, cars that today are high dollar collectors, that choosing one over another is hard. I have had everything from a 35 3 window coupe, 49 F1, 66 Fairlane GT, 3 65/66 Mustangs, (including a fastback), a 70 Torino Cobra, a 54 F1, two Jeepsters, a 65 Ranchero and on and on. To make a choice today? My 35 tudor sedan, because that's what I have now.

 

Or a truck.

 

I always been a fan of sleepers.

Need to be something that is classic with good aftermarket support. But still looks stock from 20 feet.

I am thinking a mid engine 60's VW bus.

Your starting light with a rotted pan so your not cutting up a 1 of 700 car etc.
Parts are everywhere still and it has the room to hide a twin turbocharged V8 without evey officer pulling you over to chat.

With a quiet exhaust covers to hide the back tires and cylinder deactivation you could make it "putt putt" next to that traditional "Speedway Special" roadster and smile when they rev the 350hp SBC/SBF.

 

From my point of view it's the 33-34 Ford roadster/cab.
Old enough to be driven fenderless - new enough to have got a reasonable large space for driver & passenger.

The body size makes it also possible to:
-Mount a 3 pt seat belt without ruining the upper bodyline.
-Fit a couple of small headrests, without being too visible on top of body.
-Having a cool chopped windscreen that one still are able to see through (and not above.)
-Fit in a big 6 speed transmission and still have proper room for 3 pedals.
-Fit a Jagaur IRS without the need for narrowing the axle width.
-Possible to fit a canvas top to a Duvall screen without the need for rising the top at the rear to make room for the drivers head.

 

1951 Crosley pickup...

 

A roofline only a mother could love...LOL

 

A rat rod is a hotrod!

 

this isn't a 100% true statement.....some of them look like you drove past a junk yard with a big electromagnet tied to the bumper and you just installed anything the magnet sucks up.

There are nicely done rat rods....then there are junk rods.

 

I have seen plenty of "professional" hot rod steering linkage "kits" to get around/through headers made of the cheapest materials and having crazy play in a short period from a company who is gone in 3 years.

Just because its not shiny, TIG welded, or has a brand plate(covering a stamp that says made in "insert country") does not mean its not a quality piece.

Rats are home made. Some home made stuff is sketchy. Some is quality meant to look sketchy(dime welds under a thin plate that's (no gas) welded to look sketchy). Its easier to point at a defect then to respect the quality around the defect.

Ever seen a protype of anything? Its sketchy because it needs to be refined. Your not going to mill that 8lb aluminum thing out the gate. Your going to play with some steel first.
Rats are the steel. Speedway specials are the aluminum.

I respect someone who has pulled out the lego instruction book to build a 50k hotrod.
But I have several times more respect from someone who has takes something Unique or Rare and made it functional in a cool way or just fabricated something better then factory.

Is a COE a hot rod? What about a 2000's minivan running double digit boost? You can imagine some of that fabrication is custom and while 95% of it may be amazing. People (often who have never customized anything) will point at the run in the paint or bad weld where the person was welding on their back.
Yes thats a flaw to some. But I want to see those flaws because its the not perfect things that make the things unique. If you want perfect pull into the row of speedway special "hotrods" built with lego instructions and dismiss the minivan that can pull a 3.5 second 0-60.

 

Well dont let this guy catch you doing 3.5 second 0-60s in that minivan!!

 

Anything that doesn't use electronics between you and operating the machine.

Bogie