the 'new' rat rods

Hot Rod magazine is dubbing the 'rat rod' title to 60 - 70s muscle cars. Anyone catch that in last month's mag? They are talking about a seventies model camaro with a primer spotted paint job, and the 'felondy conviction stance' ( hiked-up rear end ). Saying they are the 'next generation's' rat rods.

Now to me, a rat rod is a 30s- 50s vehicle which is purposely assembled to the 'rat' theme. But as per Hot Rod's newer generation definition, my 78 firebird is a rat rod. The body is T- tops ,burgandy, with primer gray: nose, formula hood, rear bumper, and spoilers and foilers. It abounds with various colors of primer spots, and a few dents. The front grilles are missing, and I have a guages cowl built into the hood. The wheels are snowflakes, which were painted red and white ( think of bloodshot eyeballs ).

What is my point? Well, I didn't assemble this car on any theme. It started out as a basket case, which out of necessity got put on the road when the firebird I WAS restoring got hit. Since then, it has outlived a second firebird which made it to about 90 % restoration before a ( very nice ) 74 F-100 decided to disregard the laws of the road. it looks as it does because it is a survivor. I am quite convinced that if I try to make it pretty, it will get trashed just like the first two.

So to end my rant, or question, or whatever I am trying to say here:

I really wonder how many 'rat rods' are built on the rat theme, and how many are that way because they are true survivors; road warriors. They look as they do because prime consideration is given to function over fashion, and as the years go by parts get replaced with whatever is handy. Isn't the former how the rat theme got started?

Also I am left with the little question: Is my 78 firebird a rat rod? Maybe I'll send the picture in to Hot Rod and let them decide.

You pretty much covered it. The process of building a car with whatever parts are available and whatever monies are available, for the purpose of having a hot rod or just transportation is a rat rod. I myself believe a rat rod could be any year vehicle. How about the possibility of a import rat rod.

Yes i agree in your theory ,but another ongoing question gets brought up in this particular situation, what makes a hot rod? or is it a muscle rat? or is a import a rod at all so should it be called a ricer rat

The "rat" name was first applied to bikes, scruffy old Harleys that didn't exactly glitter and gleam, but made many hard miles. If it can jump to rods, there's no reason it can't go to muscle cars too. I don't particularly like the name, but it's here to stay, I guess. The trouble is, some guys use it as an excuse for shoddy workmanship. Some are downright dangerous. If you want to build it right, but like the "look" of a field find body with no paint or shiny stuff, more power to ya. But if I have to meet you coming the other way, I don't want you running rear wheel brakes with a 7/8" wrench for a lever, y'know? Crap like that reflects on all of us.

One really gets sick of this "Rat Rod" term..................................To me, they are just poorly built cars.

Rat rod is like a 327 in the kids eye,almost mythical and magical,...conjures up visions James Dean ,tire smoke and mad max all in one word!!:D

James dean was a dork, that guy wouldnt know cool if it bit him, and i dont know why he is associated with hot rods he only drove a merc in one of the worst movies ever made, and he was a crappy race car driver, giant was a much better movie, but then again it had real actors

He drove a Merc, LOL. Thats pretty dorky right there, I dont care who you are.

Search for .."Rat Rod" on eBay................you get everything from a Pacer to a 91 Buick Roadmaster wagon........................The term is just a gimmick.................much like "Kustom" amd "'ol Skool"

We've had this discussion before. It seems that there is no "agreed upon" definition of the term. The one consistant thread seems to be that the younger members thumb their nose at any limitation, or definition, and feel that a "rat" is whatever they want it to be.

"Low buck" and "anti-establishment", seem to be the goals, as far as some young members are concerned.

"Poorly planned" and "poorly executed" might be the viewpoint of many older members.

At least the young guys aren't driving rat ricers, lets hope they get to like old cars and build something nice after this rat rod thing goes away. But I think the glass is half full.

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Originally Posted by RatSalad

He drove a Merc, LOL. Thats pretty dorky right there, I dont care who you are.

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hmm.... so Merc's are for dorks??? Well call me a dork, I sure do like them....!!!


I sure don't see what all the big concern is about what others, or Hot Rod Rag far as that goes, calls my car. To me, it's a Hot Rod. Big thing is that it's mine and I'm building it. Why in the heck does everything have to be catagorized???? Never have understood why anyone is so concerned about belonging or not belonging to some certain catagory that some no mind has deemed important.... Kind of like, we are all individuals, and that's why all our cars look alike!!!!!

Seems maybe it should be more important the quality of the car you build, and less important on what flippin' catagory others would care to put it in!!!! If all the others jump off a cliff, are you going to do it to???? Kind of childish, I know. But that's pretty much where all the catagorizing of Hot Rods leads to....

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Originally Posted by dick lobach

At least the young guys aren't driving rat ricers, lets hope they get to like old cars and build something nice after this rat rod thing goes away. But I think the glass is half full.

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Don't misunderstand me. I like the creativity I am seeing in the rats. It is a welcome breath of fresh air. I would just like to see some solid planning and workmanship to go with it.

Hey dave is that one of the glass mercs?what back window is used ,it looks a little smaller than the one in my merc, looking good thought

hmm.... so Merc's are for dorks??? Well call me a dork, I sure do like them....!!! me too, me too isnt fun to be part of the dork club dave

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Originally Posted by hotroddaddy

Hey dave is that one of the glass mercs?what back window is used ,it looks a little smaller than the one in my merc, looking good thought

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I resized the back window. With the chopped top the back window IMO was too large and out of proportion.... I like the new roof line, looks better without the back window opening cutting into it. Yeah, it's one of my glass ones....

Man you did a good job blending that in, and i agree the back window is rather large back there

LOL Mercs have been cool for many years. I was just trying to ruffle hotroddaddy's feathers a little with the James Dean comments. I seen a Merc as part of his stable ;)

I hate to tell you, but it will take a lot more than that to get my panties in a bunch, i figured my jimmy dean bashing would have caused an uproar with the older fellas childhood hero

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Originally Posted by hotroddaddy

I hate to tell you, but it will take a lot more than that to get my panties in a bunch, i figured my jimmy dean bashing would have caused an uproar with the older fellas childhood hero

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HOW DARE YOU ATTACK A NATIONAL TREASURE LIKE JAMES DEAN? Why he's my fav.....................oh, wait a minute. I really never cared for him much myself.:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D


A good friend of mine is an ex-Indiana State Trooper, and he grew up with James Dean. He used to tell me stories about how all the legend stuff was pure hogwash. As an example, legend has it James drove a motorcycle, when in reality it was a motor scooter. He said James was just a very quiet shy guy in high school, and just starting to get into theater. I guess celebrity has a way of inflating the truth somewhat.

Don

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

. I guess celebrity has a way of inflating the truth somewhat.

Don

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Ya think?....................look ar the inflated egos you see in the acting business these days.......................

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Originally Posted by hotroddaddy

Man you did a good job blending that in, and i agree the back window is rather large back there

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Thanks, put some thought into it and I'm satisfied with the results.... Now the expensive part, getting a real window made for them. This car will be a lexan, but I would imagine I'm going to have to step up and pay the big $$$$ to get a real glass window made. First one is real expensive, real cheap after that!!!!:LOL: :LOL:

well back to the rat rod deal. my opion is that it gives young beginners such as myself a start point I belive that someone mentioned that some are "poorly constructed" then It may be your place to Question them about it and possible sugest a better way remember it's all learning! as for a comment that I saw about "unfinished" then all that I can say to that is there arn't too many hot rods that are finished there always being updated as the technology changes and for that matter modification rules. In Australia we are bound by a rule book and I have heard that the Rules are about to change as they bring in national rules now this will cause changes. Rat rods have given a foot hold for young enthusists to get started whit out a dout one day I'll build the "glossy" rod with all the shine but till then It will be rat rod. By the way with the Australian rules if your vehicle isn't pre 38 It wont come under the hot rod rules and will be subjuct to difficult standard roadworthy rules.

My ex wife was a james dean nut, if there was a product ,we had it, every book ever writen we had and i read ,thats why i stated the fact he was not as cool as people think, the thing that always has annoyed is his link to hot rodding, he was a nerdy,preppy kid, as far as i can recall he cared less about cars than anything, he didnt get into racing until right before got ran over, imo thats what he gets for buying a bad ass little roadster that he could not yet handle, and as far as rat rods go ,just because your starting out, doesnt give you a right to build a unsafe car, dont get me wrong i love the so called rat rods, hell i drive one, but i also know my limitations, thats why i havnt built a car with a straight axle yet , im not completely sure how the whole thing works, it looks pretty simple but like you guys have pointed out in numurous posts, its the small things uneducated people do wrong, plus you have all the copy cats trying to cash in on a popular trend, making shitty cars and giving the true believers a bad rep