whats your opinion on RAT RODS

[Fanatic]

I was under the impression that the term was meant to be for a vehicle that was updated -and safe- as far as mehanics go. The body was left as was. Therefore you had an up to date vehicle that looked "old".
It seems to have transformed into being a POS ---beater vehicle, with as many old pieces of trash bolted to it to make it an even more POS . As with most "fads" it has now been taken to extremes AND RUINED!

Tim

[Truckrat]

Some folks will say that a Rat Rod is a certain "LOOK" that is accomplished with this or that paint and specific parts, and others will say that it is a "PERIOD" thing with only certain years of components being used. I've seen a lot of rat rods at car shows that were driven to and from the event, and were driven during the event as often as the owner deemed necessary. They were having as much or more fun than the guys with the high dollar rigs who were up every 5 minutes with their california dusters keeping the dust off those mega dollar paint jobs. As some have said, making a nice car or truck "LOOK" like it is a rat rod doesn't cut it with me either. These rat rods I saw were just that, really ratty. I don't think I would've wanted to go long distance in one of them, but for short hauls around town they would be a blast.
These guys who built 'em had put them together for fun, and had to have them safe to drive with brakes, lights, horn, and all in order to tag them.
Might get real wet if ya drove 'em in the rain, too. Bottom line, having fun with something scratch built out of whatever was available without spending tons of cash to me is what it is all about. TR

[Bodyworx!]

30 years ago in a Hot Rod Magazine I was reading they designated a Rat rod as a hopped up hot rod with a big Rat engine in it. now they paint it hot rod black and put it in the local sales ad and call it a Rat rod just to get people to look becausse it has become such a trend. Rat motors ( I cal lthem Engines) were known as Big block chevys as small blocks were known as mouse motors. the entire Rat rod theme has been blown way out of proportion. What people do not understand unless they are following the new trend is Traditional Built hot rods from a specific Era, say a T bucket that was built in the late 40's would have certain items only done in the late 1940s or a specific engine was very popular in the late 1950's and many many many confuse these cars to be " Rat Rod" I remember Bodyworx and I joking around on ol skool rodz about a late 70s chevy half ton pickup painted flat black and for sale as a Rat rod rofl

You mean this one ?

I got a whole slough of nasty Emails from the owner of this truck ( I guess he was lurking on OSR ) wanting to know why we were making fun of it. Basically he posted it for sale on EBay and advertised it as a Rat Rod and i simply said it was out of its element and funny to say the least. I never made fun of his workmanship or style choosings but simply said if that is a rat rod than my house is a mansion.

My opinion is don't post your vehicle on the internet if you have thin skin. Not everyone is gonna like your choices and some will tell you. I was like the 10th person to put my 2cents in and took the brunt of his crying. He wanted over $7,000 for it too to top it off. When you attach Rat Rod to any car on EBay it automatically is worth double or more.

Hell i just got done ripping the grille out of my 64 slick and plan on building a custom grille for it and don't really care if someone else would rather i left it stock. I would like it as a early 60's custom. At least im driving and saving a slick.

Generally i have to agree though that the Rat Rod fad has gotten way out of hand. It'll die off in a few years and lots of these poser types will move on to whats trendy next. When i hear Rat Rod i almost throw up in my mouth a little. It started as a style from the traditional days of hot rodding and has evolved into an ugly contest. Like stated above .... Ruined again. I really like some of the style but some people really try to out do the next guy. JMO

[DV65CustomCab]

Judging by that Chevy and what I see around here, Rat Rod is defines simply by black primer and red rims on any old vehicle regardless of age, model, modifications or condition.

[shawns fords]

30 years ago in a Hot Rod Magazine I was reading they designated a Rat rod as a hopped up hot rod with a big Rat engine in it. now they paint it hot rod black and put it in the local sales ad and call it a Rat rod just to get people to look becausse it has become such a trend. Rat motors ( I cal lthem Engines) were known as Big block chevys as small blocks were known as mouse motors. the entire Rat rod theme has been blown way out of proportion. What people do not understand unless they are following the new trend is Traditional Built hot rods from a specific Era, say a T bucket that was built in the late 40's would have certain items only done in the late 1940s or a specific engine was very popular in the late 1950's and many many many confuse these cars to be " Rat Rod" I remember Bodyworx and I joking around on ol skool rodz about a late 70s chevy half ton pickup painted flat black and for sale as a Rat rod rofl

You mean this one ?

I got a whole slough of nasty Emails from the owner of this truck ( I guess he was lurking on OSR ) wanting to know why we were making fun of it. Basically he posted it for sale on EBay and advertised it as a Rat Rod and i simply said it was out of its element and funny to say the least. I never made fun of his workmanship or style choosings but simply said if that is a rat rod than my house is a mansion.

My opinion is don't post your vehicle on the internet if you have thin skin. Not everyone is gonna like your choices and some will tell you. I was like the 10th person to put my 2cents in and took the brunt of his crying. He wanted over $7,000 for it too to top it off. When you attach Rat Rod to any car on EBay it automatically is worth double or more.

Hell i just got done ripping the grille out of my 64 slick and plan on building a custom grille for it and don't really care if someone else would rather i left it stock. I would like it as a early 60's custom. At least im driving and saving a slick.

Generally i have to agree though that the Rat Rod fad has gotten way out of hand. It'll die off in a few years and lots of these poser types will move on to whats trendy next. When i hear Rat Rod i almost throw up in my mouth a little. It started as a style from the traditional days of hot rodding and has evolved into an ugly contest. Like stated above .... Ruined again. I really like some of the style but some people really try to out do the next guy. JMO

yup that is the one. I still thought it was funny. I may primer my 78 dentside flat black and RAT IT OUT to the public

[ABA]

These are Rat Rods:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKMrfcX7 ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk2ixe3x ... re=related

This is just too cool not to post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMmgIskV ... re=related

'
I agree the term is used way too often. Flat Black paint does not make a rat rod.

[slick4x4]

those first two calling themselves ratrods
those things are rolling wrecks

that third vid is crazy funny, starts loosing tire chuncks!

[truckerdaddy66]

I think I have what could termed as a Rat Rod. I've been working on it for about 3 years. I wasn't trying to build one I just wanted a old roadster type of car. Its a 1927 ford t coupe front 28 durant star rear quarters ,look like model a ford. Home made doors ,no top,home made deck lid. Has a 28 chambers grill ,open engine bay, no fenders.

It has a 53 ford flathead ,three on the tree,early 40's ford banjo rear. 49 Ford F1 axel ,36 split wish bones. Home made frame.Well the list goes on.How boring right ! I've had a lot of fun building it ,and it has no magizine parts on it.

Truckerdaddy66,New Caney , Tx.
Ike survivor ,with one loss my 66 slick longbed project, large oak across cab oh well makes me sick. Its now a very low rider!