Ratrod definition
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 51
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Ratrod definition
If we know that a Street rod has a SBC upfront and wax in the back. A hotrod has a flathead upfront and a tool box in the back. What is a Rat Rod? I know there are enough Darksiders on this thread to give a good definition of a Rat Rod.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 258
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From: near dallas
how about "an unfinished street rod with burglary tools in back". Just kidding. I think they are a rough and ready unfinished jalopy, the cheaper the better. Hmmm, sounds like the old days. Really guys, just kidding about the burglary tools. I think some of the rat rod guys are trying to stick a finger in the show rod guys eye, and some are developing their skills and are broke, like I was. I still have undeveloped skills I just ain't as broke as i was, and I don't like that unfinished road warrior look so much.
bill
bill
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I've always thought a rat rod is mostly flat black or a black of some sort/brown or patina and has original big tires, white walls, maybe red rims, chop tops, and the vehicle is usually unfinished or it at least looks that way, etc, etc. Everyone has their own definition on it and people will agree or disagree on some aspects of it all. I say as long you think it is what it is if you own it that all that matters
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 76
From: Utah
I'm no engineer but this looks like a death trap, call it a rat rod or whatever makes you happy. Non-Running Cars Classifieds for Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming | ksl.com rod
now having said that I've seen a few trucks that are called rat rods that I probably wouldn't have classified as such??
now having said that I've seen a few trucks that are called rat rods that I probably wouldn't have classified as such??
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
I'm no engineer but this looks like a death trap, call it a rat rod or whatever makes you happy. Non-Running Cars Classifieds for Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming | ksl.com rod
now having said that I've seen a few trucks that are called rat rods that I probably wouldn't have classified as such??
now having said that I've seen a few trucks that are called rat rods that I probably wouldn't have classified as such??
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Believe Nothing
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From: W. Central FL.
Where you start with a vehicle that is too far gone to be of interest to anyone and add or delete parts to make it even worse.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
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From: peyton, colorado
When rat rods first became popular, I thought some were kind of cool. Basic hot rods built on a budget, simple and cheap. Get the car on the road at least, make it look nice later. Last few years I've seen changes that I don't like. Cars built to a low standard on purpose. Some I've seen were just junk, and were designed that way. Re-bar roll cages, no floors, expanded metal in the interior. That's just building crap, and dangerous crap at that. Unforturnaly, that's what alot of people think a rat rod is.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 914
Likes: 71
From: Lavergne, Tn.
When rat rods first became popular, I thought some were kind of cool. Basic hot rods built on a budget, simple and cheap. Get the car on the road at least, make it look nice later. Last few years I've seen changes that I don't like. Cars built to a low standard on purpose. Some I've seen were just junk, and were designed that way. Re-bar roll cages, no floors, expanded metal in the interior. That's just building crap, and dangerous crap at that. Unforturnaly, that's what alot of people think a rat rod is.
Unfortunately the rat rod term has evolved into a rather large blanket that is thrown over everything that shows up in a suede finish or any stage of an unfinished build. I really wouldn't consider my truck to be any form of a rat rod, but I'm sure that it will be tagged with the name since I intend to shoot it in a sealer coat, bolt in some seats and drive it a while before I do the finish work. I'll probably continue to iron out bugs that show up in my modifications as I drive it and eventually will blow it back apart and fix any problems that show up and give it a finish coat of paint. So I guess I'll be driving a rat rod for a while.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,875
Likes: 3,118
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
IMHO, rat rod=crap. I've honestly have never seen one in person or on the net that I would want to go down the driveway and back up again. Just a bunch of death traps cobbled together by some one without the correct tools or talent to actually build a decent, safe vehicle.
Man, that felt good.
Man, that felt good.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 380
Likes: 4
From: Del City, OK
I've seen both versions. Mechanically sound but as bare bones as it gets and then there's rolling scrap heaps. If you look at them, you can darn sure tell the difference. And from the people I know who have the first, they look down on the second just as much as the rest of the world does. The first bunch want a solid, dependable rod, with no frills, no polish, just their version of fun. The second want the look and add as much crap as the can to make it stand out from the rest of the herd. Its no different than any other type of vehicle. The tuners that have spent the time in the engine and suspension and the ones that bolt on the wings and slap on the stickers. Or the 4-wheelers that have the real work done and those that have used bricks for lift blocks in the springs to jack them up. No matter what the style, there's always going to be those that just want to be like the real thing, that can't or won't spend the time/money and give those that do a bad name.