Let me take the other side.

This doesn't apply to every person. Some are just unfriendly, no matter their age or finances.... so I am speaking in generalities.

I have heard much more hateful talk from "ratrodders" than I ever heard from any other rod group in my 45 years of involvement. In fact, many older guys have jumped into the rat rod look, and are having fun with it too.

I think another problem is that older guys like me have spent decades trying to make each car a little nicer than the last, and we are proud of the workmanship that we have learned along the way.

It is hard for us to look at a build that has intentionally been made to look rusty, amatuerish, or unfinished... and get all excited about it. Another thing that keeps us at a distance is to have some relative newcomers to the hobby tell us that it's all about money, and tell us that we are snobby, when the truth is that many of us have spent decades making this the large, popular, and enjoyable hobby it is.

There is nothing wrong with building a car on a budget, and finishing it as you can. Just remember.... many of us raised families, and worked at trades for many years, until we can make that next car "the best thing we've done yet". We have stood in your shoes....and you will stand in ours some day. Hopefully you won't have some young guy telling you that you are rude, and don't knopw anything about rods and customs. I have been lectured by guys as little as 1/4th my age.... and that is younger than some of my shop rags. One was 17! What would he know about the "way it was done"?

I'll close saying this....and I have found it to be true. "What you put out into the world, is what comes back to you". If you put forward "friendliness" and "respect".... maybe that is what you will get back.

Now, If some of us guys here can do something to help with your project...ask away.