Thread: Rat Rod is a Rat Rod?

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The first time I saw the "rat" term used was in a bike mag, in the early '80's. It was a rusty old Harley with new tires and a blanket seat cover, with a screwdriver for an ignition key. Ratty!
I agree with the guys who say, "chuck all the silly names, a rod is a rod!" A Renault Dauphin with a Porshe engine is still a hot rod!

That is my understanding too, that the term rat came from the biker crowd, and the rodders adopted it.

I saw a term the other day I had never seen. Someone called those shortened, fenderless pickup trucks "Rudy" trucks. Does anyone know the origin or meaning of that term? They also referred to them as "Bobbers" which I can sort of figure out to mean they are "bobbed" shorter.

Don

Some of you have watched me build my truck, how would you classify it, rat rod street rod or what?

One word comes to mind - SWEET!!!

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I saw a term the other day I had never seen. Someone called those shortened, fenderless pickup trucks "Rudy" trucks. Does anyone know the origin or meaning of that term? They also referred to them as "Bobbers" which I can sort of figure out to mean they are "bobbed" shorter.
Don

Don, this is what is commonly referred to as a "Rudy Truck" Named so because builder Rudy Rodriguez supposedly made the style acceptable by building this pick-up truck. This is the actual truck that Rudy built.

Originally Posted by gassersrule_196

rat rods again? i choose to arm myself with a musket!

Me, I'll just quietly walk out to the shop and turn a ferw wrenches till this goes away.

Originally Posted by 61bone

Me, I'll just quietly walk out to the shop and turn a ferw wrenches till this goes away.

How's life in the big city Bone? Looks like most of Sioux Falls has moved up to the lake for the summer! Geez, can't you make these people stay home once in awhile???

If only they would stay home. When Sycamore got closed , the traffic increased about 2000% on 69th. Right through my front yard. Hate it. T coupe is on the road. Now am looking at this 15 Dodge bucket. Maybe a 389 tripower and Pontiac 8 lugs. Torsioned 4links all around

I guess I'd call it "yours". Titles and catagories are nothing more then a waste of time and a point of contention. Wish we could just stick to calling them ALL hot rods!!!!

Thanks Dave, that's what I call my cars. They are real tire burning Hot Rods. But you know when you get old things change, just checking.

THERE ALL HOT RODS!!!! but it sure is funny to me how all the guys that started this trend ,are now denouncing it, like they are better now, now their saying its not a rat rod, its a period correct jalopy, build it how YOU want,if you dont like it, walk past it, just let people build it their way, this is supposed to be fun!

Originally Posted by hotroddaddy

THERE ALL HOT RODS!!!! but it sure is funny to me how all the guys that started this trend ,are now denouncing it, like they are better now, now their saying its not a rat rod, its a period correct jalopy, build it how YOU want,if you dont like it, walk past it, just let people build it their way, this is supposed to be fun!

See post #6
I won the award at a show for best "RatRod", and I was insulted . The car was straight as an arrow, shiny black paint, no dings, and I had owned the car since 1983. I guess even the judges are confused on what is a "RatRod".
I always called it a HotRod, and although some classify my DeSoto as a StreetRod, I agree with 'daddy', they are all HotRods, and they are fun if you let them.

Jack,

I would have handed them the trophy back and suggested they see an optometrist.

I guess I will never understand someone who WANTS a rusty hot rod!!! I'd kill to find some rust free projects!

I'm with you Dave, but you know what "they" say about variety?

Did you ever wonder excatly who "they" are? I know, I need some help.

Jack

Originally Posted by moparjack44

I'm with you Dave, but you know what "they" say about variety?

Did you ever wonder excatly who "they" are? I know, I need some help.

Jack

Yup, and they tell me that I'm beyond help!!!!!