Thread: Describe your Rat Rod project here.

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Originally Posted by Dan J

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

I guess I made it long enough to be an old geezer I'm 61. In 1968-I drove a 31 Ford coupe flat black, it had a 283 Chevy 3 speed, 57 Chevy rear, good brakes. To me it was just a hot rod the term Street Rod had not come into play yet that was at least the Street Rod Nationals hadn’t started yet. Today some of what people are calling Rat Rods are getting pretty modern some not all and they are keeping the look. I saw one sedan the other day unfinished for $35,000 to me that’s getting more then just putting on old parts. I like all old cars but I would not drive anything if it was not safe, I’d like to stick around to be a little bit older geezer. I have a 39 Chevy 1 and 1/2 ton farm truck I would like to take the cab off and make it a pickup, I hope in the future I can get some advice. I have a 76 Chevy ½ ton pickup I would like to put the 39 on the chassis if it would work.

Richard
Ford2custom

I aint gettin in here. Thought I would talk about my project (gang of parts put togeather as a beater)to much controversy I will say safety should be first concern. Francis

I think safety is relative to application. My project is powered by a 100 hp flathead six and has 1948 era single master clyinder drum brakes. Is it safe? I went through the brakes, rebuilt everything and replaced all the rubber lines. They work about as good as they did in 1948. With a 100hp six, I say it's safe to cruise around to the local car shows, or on the highway at moderate speeds. Now, if I try to go down the interstate at 80mph+, or if i decide to drop a 400hp V8 and use the same brakes, then I'd say it's not safe. Just use your head when you're putting it together, and ask yourself what kind of driving will you be using it for.

Went down to Avon FL last weekend, saw a lot of Ts and this one. Note the rat on the running board. This must surely be a Rat Rod

my new car to build ,saving the planet one car at a time

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new frame and front end
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fresh build bb 383 mopar
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Looks good!!!! Where did you find that one!!!!?????? Got some private stash going???????

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Looks good!!!! Where did you find that one!!!!?????? Got some private stash going???????

well i hate to give it away , theres a guy in lisbon ND that has just about anything you need , im sure you have heard of him , he has a few good project cars there and knows what he wants to

Originally Posted by gasser t

well i hate to give it away , theres a guy in lisbon ND that has just about anything you need , im sure you have heard of him , he has a few good project cars there and knows what he wants to

Yup, know who you mean... I've got too dang much stuff now, should sell half of it.... But hey, you know how it goes......

Originally Posted by OJAI RICK

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

Rick, just my 2cents, but when I went to car shows in the 60's & 70's there were cars that were unfinished, hence flat black primer, and the wide white wall tires were common then, some people would look at em and say, man that thing is sure ratty looking. Might be one source. IMO whatever label ya put on a ride is the builders preference. I firmly believe in safety accessories.

Guys and Gals,

I'm 63 and I do not mind some one referring to my cars as 'Rat Rods'!

A Rat Rod is:

1. a car /bike which legally qualifies for 'historic' or 'antique' plates.

2. it is mechanically safe to drive.

3. it may be prime painted [ no Easter egg colors allowed!]

4. 75% or more of ALL work on the car has been performed by the owner

5. it has a minimal amount of chrome or 'billet parts, unless made by the owner.

6. it will always be considered a 'work in progress'.

7. engine and drive train have been replaced, or modified from the original.

8. extra Rat Points, if it doesn't have a 350/350 combo!

9. extra Rat Points if it is chopped, channeled, sectioned or "Z-d'

10. mostly different from anything else seen at a 'Cruise'.

I am sure the "list" can be added to as well. It only takes money to pay some one to build a car for you, or to buy one already built. Real hot rodders build their own. If this offends anyone who owns a plastic easter egg, 350/350 too bad!

Kolie

Ok, I give up...What are Easter Egg colors?????? I would also have to take exception with #4... Some of us have made a respectable living for many years building cars and parts for others, if everyone went by your list I would of had to go get a real job!!!!!

Personally I still don't like all the catagories, rules, standards, snobs, or stereotyping that seems to have invaded Hot Rodding. Think I'll just keep building stuff my way and keep referring to my cars as just that, My Cars!!!!!!

A well built Hot Rod doesn't need to be catagorized and "accepted" by this or that group, it will stand on it's own merit and not need to be defended because of it's conformity or lack of it to any set of standards or rules, real or imagined.....

As for the 'glass bodies, if a builder can't find or afford any vintage tin, then he shouldn't be allowed to build a car???? Kind of an elitist attitude IMO.....

I don't really think many of us here are "offended" by Rat Rods, only confused and somewhat perplexed by the "your car isn't real" stuff....

As with many things, those who rebel so loudly against conformity seem to only get caught up in some other faction that requires conformity to belong.??????

I would think if we would all just build what we want to meet our own standards and stayed away from building a car of a certain style so that we can gain the acceptance of some group of individuals who insist their way is the only way, the world of Hot Rodding would be a much friendlier place!!!

Easy Dave.........take a breath........that's it......

Now, say the phrase; "Their cars are different.........just like everybody elses."

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Easy Dave.........take a breath........that's it......

Now, say the phrase; "Their cars are different.........just like everybody elses."

Aw Gee Uncle Bob!!!! Next thing ya know you'll be telling me I should build cars that look like everybody else's!!!!!! Besides, you know I have the utmost respect for rules......as applied to others..... Think I'll just keep blundering along and enjoy my exemption from classification!!!!

By the way, when you want me to book that Dodge into the shop????

Just a comment from the other side of the fence. I really like that coupe above. I think there is just as much work on a fiberglass replicar than to bring back a real steel hulk, BUT the fiberglass has no nostalgia! At the moment the only real FORD part I have on the car is the '74 maverick 8" rear and I long for some metal that was "there back then". When I purchase replica parts from the Model A restorer parts places it is fascinating to see the old shape and features emerge and satisfying when the repo parts fit (not always!) but the time link is not there the same way as it would be if there was some part of the car that "was there back when". Another psychological aspect is that I recall the creative joy at modifying old metal in the sense that a rodder was "updating" old steel compared to the constant checking of the 'glass to see if it is "close to original". As I recall, the attitude of cutting up an old Ford was that it was "justified" because they were junk anyway and you could make something newer and better from it, but with 'glass the attitude is to skip that step. Dave Severson's recent work on a T coupe is really neat in the "bring-back-improved" sense. So what I am saying is that I would still get that ole feeling examining a real steel chopped and channeled Eastern Style coupe but here I am trying to make a 'glass replica look like a restorod. As Dave says the real steel is not cheap and one of my main reasons for choosing 'glass was to stop the frustration at not finding a real steel car at a price I could afford and the fact that the 'glass is cheaper than a full steel replica. Still the replicar is sort of "half-nostalgia" but I wish I could figure out a way to get a few original pieces on the car somewhere. About ten years ago I had what could have been a rat rod but it was beyond unsafe and closer to an "Archeology Rod". It was a real steel (real rust) '29 Ford roadster and a "metal lace" A frame, but the only useful metal on it was the cowl and the quarter panels; the rest was archeology at best so initially the 'glass body was fascinating as far as being "all there" but now I am scratching my head to try to get something on the car from 1929! Not to worry, I am committed to finish the 'glass '29 now!

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Hot rodding is not about BUYING a plastic body; BUYING a frame; BUYING a crate 350/350; and then PAYING somebody to put it together, do the interior; and then paint it it............The only thing the "owner" does is provide a trailer to move it from event to event.

Easter Egg colors are pastels, pinks, purples, egg shell blue, etc. Such colors belong on a woman's panties, not a hot rod.

Personally, I have no problem with what ever anyone drives. Having someone build a plastic car or otherwise for you doesn't take any brains, just money. For that matter GM, Ford, and Chrysler do the same thing....they just haven't sprayed on the pastels yet.

But that's just my opinion..........

Kolie