I think Rat Rods are more in the line of what we used to call Jalopys!!!

I tend to believe some of the "Rat Rod" Image was started by groups such as the SoCal Shifter's Car Club , who think of themselves as a throw back group... Below is a photo of a car known as the Purple People Eater built and owned by Mark Izardi... This car has gotten it's share of press throughout the last few years and has become a Rebel Rodder Icon... For more on the Shifters and their style of Custom Culture check out the links below...

Dave Brisco

http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/53221/

http://www.purplepeopleeater.250x.com/home.html

http://www.aeclassic.com/shifters/

http://www.realgoneracket.com/