New Rat Rod Talk forum at CHR!

[gasser t]

thanks guys, lm one of those guys that isnt leaveing because of rough water. i will take my lumps good and bad ones, peace out

[mrmustang]

Originally posted by DennyW
Oh Rats, now what ? Might as well add the Hot Rod Bikes

That would be a whole different web site

http://www.clubchopper.com/

[donsrods]

GREAT MOVE. I think all this for or against stuff is just because of the word R A T being used. If you substituted "homebuilt with traditional technology and looks, with the parts and equipment and money available to me to build this" you probably wouldn't get many arguements. But that name is just too long.

I also think this new forum will elevate the level of rats via better construction. After all, if I see my peers are building rats, but building them with nicer /safer brackets, etc. I may be motivated to do the same. Peer pressure is a powerful motivator.


And for the nay-sayers, it's like the people who complain about objectionable tv shows...........if you don't like that program, TURN THE CHANNEL. If you don't like the rat rod forum, click on the others.

GREAT MOVE BRENT. THANKS.

[donsrods]

You are right about the RAT name thing. All I know is that it is nice to see young (and older) rodders building something with their own two hands again, as opposed to just writing a check to a Boyd type. It's also nice to see young boys and girls doing something constructive, rather than crime or drugs.

Sure, the workmanship won't quite be the same, because it is difficult to complete with a car built with computer driven lasers, etc., but the end result is the same, both cars give the owner satisfaction. Plus, the first question I always get when someone approaches my car is "Did you build it?" It feels real good to say "Yes." What would I say if I just wrote the check?

Right now I know 2 or 3 guys near my home who have some very high-dollar cars, and can afford to build a few more, but who are knee deep in building what they proudly call rat rods. They voice the same reason as me for building mine, they are just a little tired of the billet, afraid to park it anywhere, cookie cutter rods and are having a blast using their creativity for a change. After all, how many rods can you see with the same 350-350 combo before you start thinking of taking up golf? (Don't get po-ed all you 350 guys, I've got one I'm saving for a future car too)
But it is really refreshing to look at the engine of one of these rats and see a Y block, or Olds, or Buick (even straight 8)

When you look at one of these things and see the thought the guy put into some weird shifter or goofy exhaust, you know he did it the way it was really done back when this Hot Rod thing all began.......in his own garage using his own hands and brain. When I started building cars there were very few aftermarket companies out there. We made every bracket, etc. Anyone can save up and buy a Lokar shifter, but how many can build a shifter from scratch?

Finally, regardless of how much money a person has in their rod, or how nicely finished it is, the real purpose of all this is to join the car community and get to meet and talk to other rodders at cruises and shows. It is like boating. It doesn't matter if you have a 14 foot boat or an 80 foot Yacht....you are still enjoying the same water and sun.

That is what I like about it.