Thread: My 15 week rat rod build or bust.....

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Originally Posted by Last-Call

I hope this guys goes with this and makes a car. Seeing this happen makes me wonder if a change in the rodding world is coming? What do you think?

First the qualifiers so you don't get the wrong idea, but you did ask.

You set a goal and you achieved it, good on you. There's no doubt in my mind that you're having one heck of a good time with your new toy. That's as it should be. And while I'm generally skeptical of claims that "my rat got all the attention and the painted cars didn't" (paraphrasing), it's easy to understand how a proud owner might see it that way. No big deal to me. This hobby/sport is big and diverse enough that there are admirers for nearly every catagory of build style out there. I'm mystified by the notion though that many of the devotees of rats express that comes across as "any car with shiney paint is a trailer queen" (paraphrased). I see that posted on here and elsewhere with some regularity. Again, perhaps that's hyperbole for effect. Having been around this thing for a few years I've come to know several genuine "millionaires" in the hobby. Many of them have cars costing up to probably $300k.............and they drive them babies! They can afford to. Rock chips in a $25k paint job don't bother them because they can afford to have it fixed if they want to. One of them, whose Minotti '37 roadster was featured in Street Rod Builder a couple months ago, jumped in the car shortly after it was done and drove it to Pleasanton last year..............a trip of around 800 miles one way. Pretty similar to what you've done. And even though he's a rich guy, he's downright genuine people, and a real rodder at heart.

But far more of the rodders I know have less expensive toy cars that span the wide range from a few thousand bucks to the biggies noted above. Nearly all of them drive their cars, and some of the one's I've caravaned with will really lay the hammer down. It's all attitude. You're either in it to enjoy, or you're in it to be trendy/showy. Price (either way) seems to mean little to the folks I know who are in it for the enjoyment.

So, be proud of what you accomplished, enjoy the attention you'll get and the miles of smiles you'll put under your frame. But you don't need to insinuate that all the "high dollar" cars are unworthy or less appreciated just because you may have met one or two people who don't allow themselves to enjoy their rides. They're the exception in this hobby, most are in it for the enjoyment of the cars and the folks that come along with them........................regardless of the style.

good looking ride man, i am getting ready to start a 35 ford truck rat and you have put a lot of inspiration in me...we are going the same route do-it-yourself. I have the cab, motor, tranny, and grille, need to pick up some tubing and then i am gonna get started. Any rate yours looks awesome. Lovin it. Have fun with it and congrats on your deadline.

Yo, what going on guys? I have not been on here much in the last two weeks do to driving the beans out of this car. So way back when I told you guys I was going to tell you the good, bad, and the ugly with everything about this car. So here we go...Last week that sweet 20 dollar gas tank started leaking, why wouldnt it? So I had to have one drop shipped to my house this week so we could have the car down to the Car Craft Summer Nationals. Once we swaped tanks we were back on the road. The car has been thought everything at this point and taken it well.The damn speedo calbe has a mind of it's own....No biggy. I had to idle for a hour to get to my parking spot at the show today and it never got hot or loaded up. It was sweat watching the 50 grand street rods blowing coolant all over the street! Here is a pic or two from the show.







Zach...

PS Hey Colorado Dan, what do you think?

Dang, Zack, that car is reliable as heck, isn't? Great job.

Originally Posted by Last-Call

After some screwing around on the net I found this guy Dan, He has 100's of 30's to 60's projects in his yard. So I talked with him a few times and went to see him today. What a nice guy, he helped us find one of everything we were looking for.

where is this guy located and do you have a number? im looking for a cheap truck or sedan to do this winter.

go to www.dansoldcars.net, he has a ton of stuff. I don't know about cheap, Just give him a call.

zach

Originally Posted by Last-Call

go to www.dansoldcars.net, he has a ton of stuff. I don't know about cheap, Just give him a call.

zach

nice site , i could look at that all day long

Hi Zach, Great job! By the way, if your Friend Don runs out of stuff to work on, send him on over to Maine!! I got a yard full of projects! HE is one GREAT Fab man! And my hats off to both of you for the swell engineering and shrewd shopping! I have learned more from this Club Hot Rod Forum and the member builds in the last two weeks than I have in the previous 63 + years! BRAVO. oldrodder43 Perley

that turned out awsome and one hell of a rat ride

i hat to sign me in for writing u couse i think yor rat rod got realy god loking

. sadly we kan not have them fenderless here in denmark. im building a

bobber my self a bsa 1954 plunger tvin engine old style looks. have no pics

couse it is not at home in the moment. i likt it that u have picktured all

of building yor car right from start to now, hope to see more. maybe i wiil

start my self to begin coleckt parts for a rat build hwen my bobber is done

im just started with it, think it will take some time to make. sorry if my

english is a bit bad i am new in using it. beginner to say .

now i will look her once and a while . keep op that great work.

and the same to all others doing rat rods . per nielsen denmark