Rick, I agree that the term Rat Rod is often misapplied to cars that aren't like the dyed in the wool rat rodder's rides. My '33 is going to be a "period like", suede car with safe and reliable chassis/drive train. Even going to keep the stock upholstery. But it will be a hi-boy with 16" steelies and wide whites. I don't consider it a rat rod, it doesn't have tin worm rot all around it, and the rest of what seems in with the rat rodders. A term BTW which was likely coined in your part of the country. I expect my car will be referred to as a rat rod from time to time, but I don't plan to let that ruin my day. I don't have as many left as I once did, so they're more meaningful now.

As for the rest of your rant I'll refer you to a post I did sometime back when I felt the need to rant too. It'll be easier (for me) to have you read that rather than try to recreate it here again. http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...highlight=snob
My point is we don't need to throw stones at those we don't understand.