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So 54 posts (not all negative) and counting with over 1000 views, I think this might not have been the reaction that one would have anticipated and an indication of the interest in “Rats” (for whatever reason) even among the diehard inmates here. Curious isn’t?
Correct me if I misunderstand your meaning, but it sounds as if you think I expected a different result or that I've found the response overwhelming. If that's the case, then you are mistaken.
I've been quietly observing the response to my original post with great interest and I'm thrilled with the resulting discussion. There have been some really cool rides posted here and I've got a kick out of looking at them. The "big rig" thing I don't get, but hey, Whatever! As I clearly stated, I don't have a strong dislike for all cars considered to be "Rat Rods". They represent what I feel is an important segment of the old car hobby. IMO, the bulk of the hobby's creativity and artistic genious can be found in the rat rod world.
Not one of the cars or trucks that pics have been posted of are remotely similar to the one I originally posted about. That "thing" is a pile of trash with a poor 'ole Bonus Built cab trapped in the middle. It hurts my eyes and I hate it. The builder is clueless and oblivious to what the rat rod movement is all about or what it means. His misbegotten abomination has no style, no theme, and no purpose. It can't decide if it wants to be a street rod, a traditional rod, a rat rod, a drag car, or a wheelbarrow. It should be scrapped on principle. Period. Now ask me how I really feel! I gots no problem tellin' ya!
i like the variety these guys bring to the stale and dying hobby,,,
you negative guys must live in a very very small box....and i myself find that type of mindset to be very boring people to talk to in real life..
long live the low buck beater crowd
i like the variety these guys bring to the stale and dying hobby,,,
you negative guys must live in a very very small box....and i myself find that type of mindset to be very boring people to talk to in real life..
long live the low buck beater crowd
Long live current and up to date threads. This one is almost 8 years old.
The worst thing about this whole "ratrod" craze is that means I'll have to break down and make my truck purty so that people don't start calling my truck a ratrod.
Dang thats going to take alot of work....LOL
Bobby
I'd take those chrome wheels and baby moons anyday
Hell I know what you mean here goes a lot more work.
First time I had my truck out last week I was classified in the "Rat Rod" class. (I guess because I don't have a gloss paint job?) I didn't take offense, but would have classified it as a custom (or in progress). Worst part, the judges rated each vehicle as they would the other classes - paint, interior, chrome, engine, undercarriage, etc. I had a discussion with a friend after about how to 'judge' a rat rod. There seems to be two schools of thought. In my opinion, a true "rat rod" is about the craftsmanship and making (sometimes unusual) parts work. Unfortunately it has also become a catch-all category for anything rusty, poorly cobbled together, or just not finished. Then there are patina vehicles (natural or faux) that get thrown in as rat rods too.
As one of the younger members around here, I can appreciate the rat rod movement. Good or bad, at least they are making it their own! I grew up going to car shows and never understood why some adults would bicker about a $5 plastic trophy and degrade each others vehicles. That's not my idea of fun.
Lets say you have an old cab and maybe a hood laying in a yard. What would everyone do?
1.) Spend thousands on fenders/bed/running boards etc?
2.) Let it sit and tell yourself that you are going to get to it at some point?
3.) Cobble something together?
4.) Sell the parts?
I don't like the mutated trucks like many other members but I would rather see the parts put to use as opposed to sitting and rotting. There seems to be an abundance of cabs and hoods but a lack of fenders.
I don't mind things cobbled together, and I have no problems with building on a budget with the parts that you have on hand. I think most of us feel the same, where things start getting iffy is when the "conglomeration" is a complete butcher job and appears unsafe. The other category of "rat rod" that irks me is when they take a perfectly good vehicle and start bolting all sorts of crap to it. I'm pretty tired of spider webs, skulls, and rubber rats hanging off of every corner....lol
In the end, if you are building your vehicle to please others then you are off to a bad start.
Maybe some folks aren't "rich" enough to build a rig that'll satisfy anyone but themself?? Maybe they have plans for the future, but wanted to drive and feel the power?
Not everyone is as fortunate as the next person. I'll bet he's happy to have what minimal hotrod sleeper that he has.
No offense boys, but I think yer bein kinda hard on the dude who ownes it. And I've seen a lot of retro, homebuild rods around. They may be ugly, but they'll kick butt on most anything they come up against.
There was a movie a long while back. The dude took a 55 chevy and ratted it out... ugly as a pig in mud.... built an engine that wouldn't stop producing power... ( at least in the movie...I wasn't impressed...but I digress. He went out, took on anyone, for money. And so on. Anyway... I'd love to have an ugly old sleeper that'd put most to shame.
I would rather see him become original in his treatment of these bits of stuff and call it what it is - A piece of crap
I don't like the mutated trucks like many other members but I would rather see the parts put to use as opposed to sitting and rotting. There seems to be an abundance of cabs and hoods but a lack of fenders.
i like the variety these guys bring to the stale and dying hobby,,,
