Thread: Describe your Rat Rod project here.

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Tell us about your rat-rod project or dream. As I understand, rat rods must have flat paint. Some are old projects, some new. At an informal cruise-in in Portland, Oregon I ran into a couple of late 40's rat rods that were untouched originals including pinup ladies on the side, obviously built by WWII veterans. Faded and incomplete they stole the show. I particularly am interested in flatheads but the rat rod genre is here to stay, and many impresseive projects are happening. This is remarkable human endeavor and I suggest people describe their rat rod projects here so we can be rat-impressed! Please include budgets if they are part of the picture.

Thank you for your reply. The photo of your rod shows a real beauty. Your succes is admirable. I bet when you were young you dreamed of having an immaculate shiny head-turnin short with a honkin V8.

That's the beauty of hotrodding. Dreams. Some achieved, some in development. For the rich and poor. It seems to me that the most interesting forums are ones with substance, so I am not flaming you, just trying to keep the string alive. Let's make way for those trying to reach their dreams. Best to you.

Let's see or hear of your projects, guys (gals too). Street legal or not.

Welcome Kid.

Take it from me...............................you DON'T want to know what Streets dreams. Be afraid, be very afraid!

Haven't seen too many of the rat rod folk here. Probably because they tend to be wrapped in a different culture that's pretty tight with itself. They'd probably think the same of "mainline" rodders (whatever that is). My only problem with many rat rods I've seen is that they forsake safety for what they think is period correctness.

But who knows, you might strike a cord.

As an artist, I enjoy the concept and nostalgia of Rat Rods and admire the attitude and fortitude of those who drive them, however they are not really my bag... I would be all about a "Beater" but I think that is a whole different thing than a true "Rat Rod"...

As for me, I like stuff that is all glittery and shiney!!! I like technology and the like the idea that I can take advantage of the many advancments that improve the safety, drivability and comfort of a vehicle... If I was going to built a "Rat Rod" styled ride, I would probably go the route that others have started to take reciently... Below is a photo of a 32 Pick-up that belongs to George Poteet... This truck is about 90% new sheet metal... The patina is painted on and the details like upholstry, dash and graphics were added to make the vehicle look like it is "Barn Fresh"... Don't be fooled this is a pro-built ride and all the bells and whistles when it comes to comfort and safety... My guess is that it cost as much to built as most mid-range rods (30-35K)... I probably spent more time checking out this ride at the NSRA Mid-South Nationals than any of the high-tech rods there...

Dave Brisco

For better or worse there are no definitions on what a rat rod really is. Thanks to Dave "dangeroustoy" Brisco for pointing out to what ends folks can take this thing. Here's a suggestion of potential classifications of Rat Rod:
1) Vintage hot rod not completed or painted
2) Hot rod - work in progress
3) Intentional vintage look recreation
4) Intentional vintage look with anything-goes mechanics
4) Creative newer projects
5) Crappy hotrods, poor workmanship, etc. This I suppose would be below the acceptable level of rat rod. Maybe it would just be called a crap rod.

Please feel free to add your comments. Personally I agree with Streets that pride in workmanship is essential to be acceptable.

Hey, has anyone heard of anyone building a rod out of the older Volvo body that looks similar to a 40 Ford? I always thought a slighlty chopped version with a small mill would be cool.

I don't know if technically this is considered a true "Rat Rod" but I think that SoCal's Jimmy Shine might be some of the driving force behind this trend with his "Franken Shine"... IMHO this is way cool and if it is in fact a Rat Rod it is the King of the Rat Rods!!!

Dave Brisco

Kid,
I presume you are referring to the Volvo 544 as pictured below. I would suggest that they look more like the '42-'48 Ford, especially with the squarish front end.

There's one here in the Seattle area that was "rodded" a few years ago. It's now a cream color, alloy wheels, and a custom tube style grille. Slightly lowered. Looks pretty good all things considered, and helped by the good workmanship done.

O.K. GUYS...I THINKS IMAY STEP ON TOES HERE, BUT WHATEVER!!
AS AN OWNER OF A "HOT ROD"..I AS MANY I KNOW ARE SICK OF THE TERM "RAT ROD"..WHO THE HELL EVER MADE UP THAT TERM??
THATS RESERVED FOR RAT HARLYS OFF THE OLD, ANY OF YOU OLD TIMERS REMEMBER CALLING A HOT ROD A RAT ROD IN THE OLD DAYS?? JUST BECAUSE SOME OF US YOUNGER SET (I'M 37) STRIVE FOR THE OLD HOT ROD LOOK OF THE '40S,'50S,'60S AND DONT WANT TO PLUNK DOWN 80 GRAND TO BUILD A 1930 FORD.
CHASING DOWN "THE CORRECT" PARTS RATHER THAN 1-800-SEND ME PARTS ITS A CHALLANGETHAT MOST WONT TAKE.
BILLIT ALUMINUM,RADIAL TIRES,350/350 COMBO,MUSTANG SUSPENSION, THERS NO ROOM FOR THAT CRAP ON A PERIOD "HOT ROD"...SHOULD WE CALL ALL THOSE HIGH DOLLER CARS "CATALOGUE CRUISERS" OR "JOCK RODS" CAUSE REALLY IN MY EYES THESE OVER PAINTED, BILLIT CLAD,AND 20 INCH WHEEL CARS ARE NOT A TRUE "HOT ROD" BY ANY MEANS SO PLEASE ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE THESE OVER PRICED 'GLASS BODY CARS STOP BELITTLEING US BY PUTTING OUR CARS DOWN BY CALLING THEM A "RAT ROD"...THANKS

Originally posted by OJAI RICK
O.K. GUYS...I THINKS IMAY STEP ON TOES HERE, BUT WHATEVER!!...

Rick,

Check out Kid Dearborn’s post above just a little closer. Nobody’s “picking” on rat rods unless you are referring to the unsafe contraptions that some folks are building. If you are talking about a rat rod being a mechanically sound rod that happens to look “unfinished” because your money and efforts went where you wanted, and that didn’t include any painted or chrome parts… you’re OK. Or, you just think that a nice “vintage looking” period rod is the one that you want to drive… you’re OK. But, if the rod you put together is going to come apart (or not be able to stop) while you’re coming down the road toward me or someone else… that’s a “crap rod”.

Now, you bring up the rods that have nice paint, chrome, billet, etc. Don’t jump to conclusions Mr. Rick! I’ve seen some of these cars that are closer to “crap rods” than any rat rod… put together with shoddy workmanship and some dangerous mechanical arrangements. Just appreciate “good workmanship” in whatever form it takes, and you’ll enjoy this hobby a lot more.

Dan J

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.

dan,
i agree that both worlds have there share of "$%!+ BOX" workmanship and unsafe equipment..i think my point is that us guys with the unfinished, old style,period styled cars dont really like or appriciate our cars labeled as a "RAT ROD"....
i spent alot of time finding rare equipment for my "A", such as lincoln brakes,and a full race 291 desoto hemi built in '60 and ran at freemont in nor.cal. in '60-'61...and ill tell ya there aint nuthin RAT about it...wish i could send a pic but my comp wont let me post on this site??...as i said, i may step on some toes but its not aimed at the guys in person,just what they call our rods...rick

Originally posted by OJAI RICK
my point is that us guys with the unfinished, old style,period styled cars dont really like or appriciate our cars labeled as a "RAT ROD"....

Hey Rick, it's just a label... why we've got a whole batch of "geezers" that hang out on this forum and they don't let the label bother them one bit! I understand the need for "appreciation" of your efforts on your car, and all I can say is that if your car is built right and someone wants to call it a gizmo... take it as a compliment. BTW, take a minute to read Bob's link above and you'll get a good feel for how folks should treat each other around this forum.

Dan J

P.S. get your computer fixed so you can post some pic's of your rat rod

Yep, I've got too much time on my hands tonight...

Here's your basic rat rod, oops! I meant crap rod... big block and no brakes!

Dan J

I'm not sure, but this may have been ole Herman Munster's boy's car.... I like YUK

Dan J

And when I first read the topic of this thread. I thought we'd be discussing BB powered rods.

Learn sumthing every day.