I'm almost sorry that I posted my thoughts on the term "Rat Rod". To be crystal clear, for me the '35 International that Kamikaze124 posted some time back,

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is a great little truck that has a fantastic stance, and an overall great look. It shows innovation, and a good eye for making things that came from different sources fit together right as a complete truck. In my mind, the fact that Kamikaze has chosen to not paint the truck is moot, and if that's what makes it a "Rat Rod" then it's just a name. That said, it's hard for me to get my head around throwing a nicely built car or truck into a group with the trashy stuff that we've accepted with, "Oh, it's OK because it's a Rat Rod!" Case in point, this little truck runs around our region, hitting most of the big shows and it's an awesome truck.

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Now if we take this little truck down to Shine and ask him to media blast it, taking most everything down to bare metal, pull all of the interior materials out, and then accelerate the "aging" with select chemicals to give it a rusty patina is it then a Rat Rod? To me the answer is"No", and that may be my problem.

In my mind the term was coined to put a moniker on the car that was a work in progress, being built on a budget, but being done right - improve the chassis & running gear to get the "stance" just right; new wheels & tires, or perhaps just new tires on old wheels; upgraded brakes; improved driveline; etc. Basically a finished car awaiting paint and interior, and the "wait" might be infinite. Once a guy started driving it, he just never stopped to blow it apart for paint, and the Indian blanket on the seats seemed to "fit". Somehow we got from that the "unfinished hot rod" to the point of accepting anything with wheels and a bunch of rusty crap tied together with baling wire as "Oh, it's OK because he calls it a Rat Rod" and I've come to really dislike the term because of that.

Sorry for the rant. VHT, I hope that you find the inspiration that you're seeking and get started on your project at your own pace. You mentioned at the start "...lots of good engineering here..." so it sounds like you like the "patina" as opposed to the shock & awe. Kamikaze124, I'd love to see more of your awesome '35 International. It looks great, painted or not. Call 'em what you want, to me they're hot rods. Just know that if you start building your steering components out of old manure spreader parts held together with baling wire, it'll probably raise a comment or two.