Thread: New to the scene

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Hey all

Im new to the hot rod scene and am thinking about building a rat rod.

I dont mean to cause any fuss. I know a lot gose on around here when anyone throws the term rat rod out there.

But my cars not going to be a show car. Just a basic flat black car, low to the ground, beefy motor, nice sounding.

I dont plan on building anything unsafe just not hot rod material.

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for a guy just starting out.

Thanks and i hope this dosnt bring up the old rat rod argument again.

Originally Posted by Skank-Daddy

Hey all

Im new to the hot rod scene and am thinking about building a rat rod.

I dont mean to cause any fuss. I know a lot gose on around here when anyone throws the term rat rod out there.

But my cars not going to be a show car. Just a basic flat black car, low to the ground, beefy motor, nice sounding.

I dont plan on building anything unsafe just not hot rod material.

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for a guy just starting out.

Thanks and i hope this dosnt bring up the old rat rod argument again.

Hi,we all have our own idea's.
I.M.O.,there is a very fine line between a rat-rod and a pile of junk.

its not going to be shotty worksmanship

just on a budget

im still in college and all but i still want to get started, build something, have some fun

some day ill build a nice hot rod

but that takes time, money, and skill all of which i dont much of....yet

Welcome to the forum, and I think you stated your goals pretty well. Nothing wrong with a rod in primer and a little rough around the edges, as long as you said the magic word..........."safe."

I still tend to refer to my on hold '39 Dodge as sort of a rat rod. I incorporated some elements that lean that direction on purpose.

You mention advice for a beginner. If I can offer one thing it is to have a fairly firm image in your mind of what you want to build before you start. You will make changes and compromises along the route, but the basic essence should remain pretty much the same. Figure out what kind of car turns you on. Some of us are hardcore fenderless roadster types, some like full fendered coupes and sedans, some like cars from the '30's or '40's etc. You have to determine what kind of car you really want.

Second piece of advice is to consider buying a running or near finished car the first time around. It gets old real fast when you have been laying on your back for 2 or more years and the project is far from done. We who have been doing it for a while understand that timeframe, but many first timers get discouraged and bail out.

Third piece of advice is that whatever budget you set will be exceeded two or threefold........maybe more. Don't let that discourage you, and just consider it like any other pastime..........they all cost money.

Forth piece of advice...........ask lots of questions and listen to what more experienced rodders are trying to tell you. You have gotten off on the right foot by not coming in and trying to stick rat rods down the throats of people who do not necessarily cotton to the term or genre'. You were polite about it and stated that this is simply something you want to do. No one can argue with that.

Good luck with your build plans.

Don

Ditto Don's statements and I add check around before you buy,some are no bargain and if you can,take some one with some experience with you when going to look at a purchase. Bad workmanship costs lots to redo. Hank

Welcome Skank. You used the terms, ratrod, low to the ground, basic black, and beefy motor. Sounds like you may want to consider a classic led sled build. A late 40's Buick Roadmaster may be a good start for you. Great lines, not a lot of fabrication to begin, and I've seen running cars advertised for less than you may think. Even if you find one not running, a 350 Crate motor installation with auto trans should not be too difficult. Lower it, get some fender skirts, throw on some flat black, roll your smokes up in your tee-shirt and be on your way!

A safe "Rat Rod" is a "Hot Rod"...........................

thanks for the advice

Try to find a running/driving car, to keep the cost down, look for the oddballs. There are plenty of fairly inexpensive runners out there that just need someone to "personalize" them. Check this one out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-...QQcmdZViewItem

This is kinda what I am planning on for the time being, check out my avatar. black, low, big block, what else could anyone want?

Don has great advise as usual. But the important thing is ( as long as it is safe) build what you want, and call it what you want. Good luck on your project.

build what you want as long as its safe , personally i am finished building bling mobiles and a safe low budget rides are the way im goin these days..


rat? maybe , junk hardly ..good luck on your build

Originally Posted by Skank-Daddy

its not going to be shotty worksmanship

just on a budget

im still in college and all but i still want to get started, build something, have some fun

some day ill build a nice hot rod

but that takes time, money, and skill all of which i dont much of....yet

My advice is gonna be a bit different. Use your money for school instead of piling up the student loan $$$$ then when you're done with college and get a job you'll have more money to spend on what you really want to build and less you have to be paying on your college bill!!!! Oh yeah, tear up all the credit card offers, too!!!!! I raced when I was in college, but in somebody else's car using somebody else's checkbook!!!! I drove a car that was old and paid for, worked a part time job in my spare time. When I graduated and everyone else was worried about paying for their schooling I had no bills and built a Hot Rod!!!!

4 years of college may look like forever right now, but it will go bye very quickly!!!!! Study hard and have some fun while you're in school, then get into some building!!!!!!

welcome home skank-daddy

Find the right car. Build it to your liking, safety first. Forget about what others say, everyone has their own opinions, right? Drive it like you stole it. Welcome aboard Skank.

Another old thread.....