Hi coreyvett, I'm a fan of all types of hotrods including ratz as long as they're not too rediculous. In your text you are describing (jmo) 2 different types of cars, those being an entry level hotrod and a ratrod which is (again my opinion) a rebellious effort at parting from the norm of traditional and ultra hi-buck showcars by incorporating radical and bizarre designs and features. I agree nobody should look down their nose at anyone elses ride no matter what it is or the cost. I've seen some really cool stuff on a lot of the rats, and I've also seen some really well built rats morph into beautiful hotrods while retaining the designs they were built with and I think we'll be seeing a lot more like that over time because eventually everyone likes "shiny stuff" or a well done flat/matte job. Don't forget, a lot of these trailer-queens and hi-buck cars have been re-done many times and a bunch started out as entry level hotrods and the guys don't want to risk screwing around and messing up what took them years to accomplish.As far as the "holy sh*t" money cars I like to see what kind of ideas the money contest provides and maybe it's an idea I can use in a hotrod (but of course in my budget ) low that is. Both sides of the fence need to relax a little and accept each other as car guys because there are over-zealous a-holes on both sides. I had promised myself I would'nt get into one of these rat vs shiny threads but those are a couple of my opinions/observations. Enjoy what you build cuz, because if we don't, we're doing it wrong. Keep cruisin'