Attempt to explain

OK folks here`s my attempt to explain this contraversal subject of rat rods ,it`s gonna be a long story so bear with me .I don`t think anybody really knows when this subculter started,lots will take claim for it,but nobody has a definite timeline,i think the mentality has been there in some form since the beginings of rodding.Most of the people in the rat rod or kustom kulture scene were into the punk rock thing in the 80`s & early 90`s alot of us were skinheads and punkers of one sort or another,you had bands like the stray cats that combined a mix of punk and roots rockabilly like carl perkins and such,then you had bands like the cramps & the misfits that took modern versions of rockabilly and added a darker style which started the phycobilly scene. Then you had movies like the outsiders & grease that romanticised the good old days of greasers (can`t forget american graffitti) that gave us the idea that all kids in the fifties were hoodlems,which we liked since most of us already were hoodlems.As we started getting older all the bands we listened to started getting into this new greaser/rockabilly scene which appealed to us cause iit was`nt to far off from the way we allready thought,we already had tattoos from head to toe, so we cut our mohawks off or grew our hair out slicked it back and you got instant modern greaser.We all liked the cutom carsof the fifties but also liked a more outlaw style .we did not like the billet rods that are popular today so alot of people tried to resurect the cars we saw in the old mags,some stuck with that , some did`nt.The whole hot rod scene started changing every where,the cars started getting lower and more chopped up,the kustom kulture started growing into all the different kinds of genres ,you still have the guys building era correct cars, then you have guys building down & dirty just outright mean looking bikes & cars, then you alot of people that wanna be cool so they get in and make an ass of every body in the scene. Some of us aren`t out to affend some, of us are, So i guess it all started with misconseptions of the early days, i know alot of people won`t ever understand this subculture, but it`s just like when you some of you guys were young , when rock & roll started nobody understood you guys with your loud cars & reckless lifestyles,as with every new thing it will die down , the posures will go home , and the rest will carry on to bigger and better. I know some of you guys were just like us in yhe 50`s raising hell & aggravating folks , some were`nt, just remember were all here fore the love of speed. iI hope this helps a little ,it would take a whole book to really explain modern youth but here`s my small attempt

Here`s a little add on that will most likely piss some off.some of us like talking to you older guys, you have wonderfull stories & loads of cool knowledge that you can`t learn anywhere else,but you also gotta realize we really don`t give a f@$# what anybody thinks about us either were young and obnoxious and gonna build things the way we like , just as you guys do

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Originally posted by hotroddaddy
I know some of you guys were just like us in yhe 50`s raising hell & aggravating folks ,..........

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Say it isn't so!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since you brought music to the discussion, I'll borrow a line from one of the tunes in "Bye Bye Birdie" that pretty much sums up how one generation looks at another.

"Why can't they be like we were.......perfect in every way. Oh.....what's the matter with kids today?":LOL:

Thanks hotroddaddy. I'll also throw in my 2 cents worth.

If I were to build a rat rod, it would be because I'm frugal. My wife calls me cheap, but I don't think I'd use that term to describe myself. Being around the drag strip for so many years, I've had more than a few opportunities to observe fellows screwing together fun cars. The latest is my buddy R.J., who just completed a deuce roadster with a 502/TH400 drivetrain. He confided to me that it took $75,000 to get the car on the road.

WHOA!!!!!!!:whacked:

If I ever had a reason to build a rat rod, that would be enough of a reason. 75K in a roadster is just nuts in my opinion.

I agree there tech that`t alot of money,i don`t get this crap people say they build them that way cause it`s cheap, there`s nothing cheap about building a hot rod or rat rod these days. I here stories that these guys build a car for 1500$ ,I`d like to know how

Hey Tech I too am building a 502/400 '32 roadster. I am up to $45 in receipts, and will likely hit $50k using a less expensive glass body. And I am doing all the body work and paint in-house .............

About the Rat Rod thing. Whatever floats your boat. Live (within your means) and let live. Just don't cut the wrong corners and kill yourself, or worse, somebody else!


Kitz

Building a rat rod does not mean you have to cut corners....it means you build a car for yourself, in your own style without reguards to the "must haves" of the day. If that means using the rusty airfilter that's been hanging from the rafters....all the better.

Hey guys i`m talking style not safety,i`m not at all supporting crappy work, keep it safe 100%

$14,000. to date in this one.
It's a roller needing a few small things, plumbing, wiring, rear drum brakes, drivetrain rebuild and exhaust system.

American Stamping frame rails & re-pro Model A crossmember.
Brookville body & grille shell.
Rootlieb custom length hood top.
Owner built hood side panels and crossmembers..

SuperBell beam axle, steering arms & perches.
Used Posie's Super Slide front spring.

Owner made drag link, tie rod, radius rods and front & rear panhard bars.

Deuce Factory stainless batwings and rear sway bar.

New powder coated steel wheels.

Middle of the line new radial tires.

Camaro front disc brakes.

Junkyard 455 Buick engine, T-400 and Ford 9" (narrowed at home) with Dutchman axles.

32 windshield posts and home-made - but not complete yet - windshield frame.

All S-W instruments.

Home-made aluminum ball bearing steering column.
Home-Made aluminum, Teflon bushed throttle pedal.
A bunch of other semi-tricky stuff made by owner.

Car is about four years old and today it would probably run another $3000. approx.

I keep saying, "you can do it", but nobody seems to believe me.

That's ok, next year they'll be whining about high prices and I'll be driving mine....

hang in there man , it`s gonna be a sweet ride when your done

keep at it c9x itll look good in the long run heck it looks good now!!!:) :)
heres my packrat rod (just thought of that) i am up to just a little under 4,000.00 for what i have here, not the classiest but fun to drive.

Sounds more like a different perception of the cars. I've always seen them as a combination of speed, beauty and creativity. It was really about the machine. Still is. I never saw them as a way to demonstrate my rejection of societies values. "FTW" on four wheels, so to speak. Interesting.

Hey CX9....very cool. As my friends say...:"it's done when you are."

Hey, thats America for you Hotroddaddy. There is alot going on in the hi-perf, custom, etc.,etc., world that I just don't agree with or like but its like Kitz said, 'live and let live'. I both, laugh and get nausiated when these kids fly down the street in 4bangers with spoilers and colored lights underneath but then I remember how I was growing up in the 60's and that cars to me means musclecar era ONLY, but I am getting more accepting cause I see whats going on with our culture. Can't beleive you didn't mention musclecars or Steppinwolf, cause thats all lifes about, anyway, " its allright heylaudymama ".:cool:

Everybody should do what they wanna do!!!!

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I remember how I was growing up in the 60's and that cars to me means musclecar era ONLY

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I watched some front-wheeled drag races and really suprised.
Stiil a rear-drive fan.

Every generation builds contemporary car models for the most part. I just kind of :HMMM: and let them roll.

I really don't see the attraction to the buzzing mufflers.

But hey - its all good.

I have a 77 HD that I didn't maintain as I should have for a long time with rusted straight pipes. One day someone commented 'Hey check out the original rat'.

So I cleaned it up. It looks a lot better now!!! :D

Bert

I'm tired of hearing this term 'Rat Rod's'....... and the condensations that it represents. I say....... step back a few feet.. ....... take a good honest look, at the over all picture.....
I honestly think they should change the term 'Rat Rod'..... to ''Rebel Rod''....... I think it describes the the whole picture a little more accurately. This 'rebel' thing has been going on since the first car had it's hubcap removed, because some guy thought that it looked cooler..... meaner.......raceier....faster...... what ever his reason was..... society took it's first ''Gasp''
1...... It represents....breaking society's mold of the average middle of the road, 49-51 Merc leadslead, 32 Ford roadster , 34 Ford coupe, 23T, Etc........
2...... They stretch the limits of the law.... 'DMV' Codes, Sometimes safety codes, and sometimes 'Common' sence. Which in 'my' opinion..... isn't always a 'bad' thing.
Iv'e 'personally' seen some take it to extreams....... Iv'e done some myself in my youth. Iv'e seen car's that are driven with no floor boards........ just a plank of wood wired to the frame, with just enough room for a bucket seat and a place to put your feet and that's it. Transmission exposed, driveline exposed, rearend exposed.......... the pavement..... flying 6 inches from your hiney, or seconds away from your pendelton shirt flapping in the breeze, just getting ready to wrap itself around the u-joint or driveline as your going down the road. Or one of my favorite..... stealing dad's lawnmore gas can....... wireing it to the frame where the passenger seat would be 'sometimes and sometimes just setting it there' and running a hose from the can to the fuel pump........ so on and sofourth...... most of us in this world of cars, hotrods...... even motorcycles.''Boy could I tell you some stories there''.......... Anyway,have ether seen stuff like that........or done stuff like that...........
Whatever!!........ the point is that this is 'Hotrodding' So it shouldn't matter if you have a $150,000 hotrod.......... or a $150.00 hotrod.......... We are a unique bunch of people...... some dream in color......... some dream in B&W.......Some people freak out if a water spot is on their paint or chrome.......... Some people would never dream of washing their car.......... But we all have the same passion......sickness...... dream's........ or only reason to get out of bed. To fill this need to create......... to form bonds, to create friendships, ...... to be admired, and praised.........and to feel a form of accomplishment......... some takes longer than others.
It's another basic visual form of societys comunication.......... One that should be understood, no matter what language you speak in the world....... Hotrodding language is universal...... and so, we should all get along....... and take the time to appreciate...... because it's just a waste of time, energy, and possabbly a new and valueable friendship.
OK..........Now give me a hug...... tell me how cool my car is.
Thanks for your time........ I welcome your views and opinions... D

What DHOTROD said.
And Twitch - did you have to post that "dancer"? I had already eaten my brekky, I didn't want to see it again!
johnboy:LOL:

amen there dhotrod, that is one of the best speeches i`ve heard. As far as the name goes ,i don`t care what people label them, us as, all i car about is people building cars to reflect there own personalities, a label is just that a label,something society feels a need to do. iI do like the rebel rod idea ,lets start calling them that from now on, and see if it catches on.Then when hot rod mag does a story on the new trend you can take credit If we all took your take on things this hobby we have would be 100% cool

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Originally posted by hotroddaddy
amen there dhotrod, that is one of the best speeches i`ve heard. As far as the name goes ,i don`t care what people label them, us as, all i car about is people building cars to reflect there own personalities, a label is just that a label,something society feels a need to do. iI do like the rebel rod idea ,lets start calling them that from now on, and see if it catches on.Then when hot rod mag does a story on the new trend you can take credit If we all took your take on things this hobby we have would be 100% cool

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Thank you Daddy Dude........ I appreciate your kind word's. And hope that more people will read this thread, and give it some thought............. D=N/N:whacked:
''REBEL RODS''.......... Were all going to He... double hockey sticks.

well put dhotrod it just dont matter
'"get in,shut up, and hang on"
always a fun thought

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Originally posted by DHOTROD
OK..........Now give me a hug...... tell me how cool my car is.

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Mmmm.....you don't have to ask me twice...come here, sugar....kiss kiss dah-ling....

You and your car are so boss....I just love a rebel....and his rod....:D

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Originally posted by Hot Rod Angel
Mmmm.....you don't have to ask me twice...come here, sugar....kiss kiss dah-ling....

You and your car are so boss....I just love a rebel....and his rod....:D

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:rolleyes: Oh..... you. You wanna hear my 'Rebel Yell''........Huh:HMMM:

And Hot Rod Daddy I think you described it very well! To each thier own, and all together I say.

Pat

I'm in the process of piecing together a 29 ford. What got me going was a rusty cowl and what little is left of two doors from what appear to be a sport coupe. My frame is right now 2 lenghts of 2x4 steel tubing. I've looked around at front suspension,and gotten very discouraged by the prices. You may call it rat rod,but I'm trying to bring this whole project in for about what some lay out for a front end.

"OK..........Now give me a hug...... tell me how cool my car is"





ok D, you have a cool car !
:cool:

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Originally posted by lt1s10
"OK..........Now give me a hug...... tell me how cool my car is"





ok D, you have a cool car !
:cool:

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:rolleyes: Thank you........... now I feel all warm and squishy..... and loved.:HMMM:

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Originally posted by DHOTROD
:rolleyes: Thank you........... now I feel all warm and squishy..... and loved.:HMMM:

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i try to do that for at least one person a day. :rolleyes:

"I honestly think they should change the term 'Rat Rod'..... to ''Rebel Rod''....... "

Why not call ém what we called ém when I was a kid, jalopies.

I think some people get waaaaaaay too hung up on words and catagories.......If that's what you like, build it. No reason you have to rationalize, catagorize, scrutinize or justify to anyone else..........I build my cars for me, when I work on someone else's, I build it for him. Keep it simple.

My Son and I got turned on to the Rat Rod thing about a year ago, because we saw the opportunity to build a couple of "back to basics" hot rods, without the fuss we usually put into grinding each component (even ones you never see) until they are perfect, and chroming every little piece.

So he picked up a '29 Fordor body, and I found a '39 Dodge pickup cab. We've built a couple of seriously Z'd frames, and they are up on wheels. He is working 12 hour days to get his done for the Turkey Run/ Thanksgiving. It is 40 inches tall, bagged,455 olds tripowered, and Bitchin'.

But when we started building our Rats we found it just wasn't in us to build a car that wasn't well built. I think that is what bothers me the most about some of the Rats running around out there. They just are plain dangerous, because of poor construction, lousy welds, undersized brackets, etc. I see some of these cars on Ebay that I would be afraid to drive around the block.

Alot of the people building these Rats feel they are copying what 40's and 50's Hot Rods were like, and in some cases they are right.......some really bad cars were built back then. (I bought a '32 roadster in about 1961 where the guy used water pipe to build the rear radius rods. No bushings, just a hole drilled through the pipe.

But we did the best we could with the money and tools available to us. To build an unsafe car in 2005 is inexcusable, even if you have very limited funds. Vo-techs will allow you to bring your project there and build while you learn. Plus you have access to good equipment and help.

Rat Rods can be cool, especially when you draw a bigger crowd than the mega-buck billet cars, but crappy workmanship isn't cool.

".......But when we started building our Rats we found it just wasn't in us to build a car that wasn't well built. ......."

Don , I guess that's the big thing with me too. Naturally the safety SHOULD be the biggest part of any build, especially when the equation involves relatively high HP numbers and light weight. A couple of the rat rods I checked out at the car show yesterday had brake issues that really made me wonder about the rest of the build.

Beyond that I could never picture myself taking a leaky old motor and trans and going to the work of putting it in something without at least taking the time to scrape the crude, replace seals and shoot a quickie coat of paint in it.

By the way, when you get some pictures, post them, I'd like to see how your projects are turning out.

I'm computer illiterate when it comes to downloading pictures and stuff, but I'll have my kid do it.

If that is your red pickup in the picture, I like it. What kind of engine, etc.?

Yeah, the Pickup is mine, kind of a back burner project until I get my 57 Plymouth done. It's a 37 Dodge with a 55 331 hEMI and WEYAND Drag Star 6 duece intake, hooked to a 727 TF. The picture was taken when the truck was in the mockup stage. There's a few more (bigger) pictures in my gallery (just click the camera icon by my name.

Dang!! You make me feel "car poor" I thought WE had too many projects.

I envy you, nice rides.

I saw a t- bucket at the heavy rebel weekend car show this year,the welds holding the entire suicide front end on were the worst welds ive ever seen. And this idiot drove this death trap from georgia to north carolina. I wouldnt have my worst enemy drive that pos.you can build a a old school rod and still do it safe!

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