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.