WHO THINKS RAT RODS SUCK
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,887
Likes: 3,129
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Personally, if I had a vehicle like this I think I'd take a bunch of pictures of it and restore it back to like new condition with all of the graphics. No vinyl, only hand painted with all the imperfections you get only with hand lettering. Vintage Truck magazine has had many featured trucks in their magazine over the years like this. I always enjoy those articles, especially if the owner has before pictures featuring the original owners taken at the time the vehicle was being used for what it was bought for.
OK, back to the is boring, 45+ long no one cares thread...........
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Rawson, Ohio
this has been an entertaining thread....I myself don't care for the chopped stuff or putting a different make engine in a build or a whole list of other things. But that is just me, guess I'm too much of a purist... To each their own.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Glen burnie MD
Thats the truth!! just because some have bigger bank accounts than others and can afford all the super nice parts on the market instead of putting in the work and using original old school parts that need a litttle help.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Iron Station, NC
I like rats. Some don't catch my attention but generally they're not built for me whether I like them or not. Not the rod I would build out of my F100 because it can be something else, but if I had a frame/engine, and a rusty couple pieces I would build a rat.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 23
Personally I only actually like them if there was a real story and effort behind the build, like the guy had a completely rusted out truck with not one actual good part on it and he couldn't find parts anywhere so he made do with what he had. To me thats cool. However taking perfectly good steel and destroying it to achieve a patched together look is just being a poser.
To each there own, but I think a crappy looking truck really helps to show how much effort it takes to make a good looking truck when you put them side by side. To me it's about the journey, but I think it's kinda lame to just end the build once you can get it down the road. Always improving, always having fun. A quick fix might have to do for now, but, for me at least, I feel it shouldn't be the desired end result. Fads come and go, style, class and taste remains the same.
To each there own, but I think a crappy looking truck really helps to show how much effort it takes to make a good looking truck when you put them side by side. To me it's about the journey, but I think it's kinda lame to just end the build once you can get it down the road. Always improving, always having fun. A quick fix might have to do for now, but, for me at least, I feel it shouldn't be the desired end result. Fads come and go, style, class and taste remains the same.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton Alberta
well,deep pockets I dont have but with perseverance and GODS blessing many things are acheivable The end result of the build must always be in sight and with patience you will see the finished product the way you envision it...I have found that many things can be bartered , salvaged,traded etc to help fund the build,In the end if you enjoy the build you will enjoy the ride,,,be it a rat rod or whatever .If what you set out to build is not achieved then whats the point,,,paint can be bought cheap, bodywork can be learned and sacrifices can be made to a point just my 2 cents
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 3
From: Van Nuys, CA
I am quite new to this scene (vintage and hot rod cars/trucks).
I think the 'spirit' of what is a Rat Rod does apeal to me. My impression is that the Rat Rod culture is the 'anti' culture in rodding:
But when Rat Rods start to become parodies of themselves I start losing interest.
And I agree with others that cutting up perfectly good metal to create some type of Frankenstein look, well that is just wrong.
But if someone wants to spend $50k to create a truck that looks like it just rolled out of barn after 3 decades, well fine by me. As long as someone else down the line can take it and still make a nice resto-rod out of it.
The PO of my truck was probably going for the Rat Rod look. But his idea of doing it appeared to just let the thing rust into the ground. That to me is wrong. I don't mind it looking old, but you have to maintain it for the future.
Gustave
I think the 'spirit' of what is a Rat Rod does apeal to me. My impression is that the Rat Rod culture is the 'anti' culture in rodding:
- Anti-chrome
- Anti-billet
- Anti-20 coats of paint so deep you could swim in it
But when Rat Rods start to become parodies of themselves I start losing interest.
And I agree with others that cutting up perfectly good metal to create some type of Frankenstein look, well that is just wrong.
But if someone wants to spend $50k to create a truck that looks like it just rolled out of barn after 3 decades, well fine by me. As long as someone else down the line can take it and still make a nice resto-rod out of it.
The PO of my truck was probably going for the Rat Rod look. But his idea of doing it appeared to just let the thing rust into the ground. That to me is wrong. I don't mind it looking old, but you have to maintain it for the future.
Gustave
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 789
Likes: 2
From: MI..."near" Dearborn...
Rat Rods...
..I do not like the term...need a new name...
I agree with some on this thread...if the build ended up as that style of
streetrod......kool-ness all around...as long as it's roadworthy & safe.
If some moron intentionally dismembered a good vehicle with the intent of
goin' after "the look" ... then that needs to be addressed.
I know a coupla guys...
...you want I should call 'em?
However...this style of street-roddin' is...well...alive & doin' OK in the D...
Check it out...
February, 2009 Street Rodder article about Detroit Autorama;
55th Annual Detroit Autorama Extreme - Events - Street Rodder Magazine
And...here is some chatter about the upcomming 2010 show;
Detroit autorama 2010 - Rat Rods Rule Forums
I'm tellin' ya man...if ya don't go...ya don't know...
...
There is this entire "underground" type kulture that is still krazy-mad...
The_Girl & I will be down there again this year kruzin' the rides & scooters
& to see some ol' friends...
One in peticular I once worked for as an aprentice...for a time...
Finchs Custom Styled Cycles
I GOT to see the crowds reaction to Captivator...
Mad-money cars upstairs & MORE gearheads & bikes downstairs...
That has always been MY impression of this show...
...Enjoy..
...
-
I agree with some on this thread...if the build ended up as that style of
streetrod...
...kool-ness all around...as long as it's roadworthy & safe.If some moron intentionally dismembered a good vehicle with the intent of
goin' after "the look" ... then that needs to be addressed.
I know a coupla guys...
...you want I should call 'em?However...this style of street-roddin' is...well...alive & doin' OK in the D...
Check it out...
February, 2009 Street Rodder article about Detroit Autorama;
55th Annual Detroit Autorama Extreme - Events - Street Rodder Magazine
And...here is some chatter about the upcomming 2010 show;
Detroit autorama 2010 - Rat Rods Rule Forums
I'm tellin' ya man...if ya don't go...ya don't know...
...There is this entire "underground" type kulture that is still krazy-mad...
The_Girl & I will be down there again this year kruzin' the rides & scooters
& to see some ol' friends...
One in peticular I once worked for as an aprentice...for a time...
Finchs Custom Styled Cycles
I GOT to see the crowds reaction to Captivator...
Mad-money cars upstairs & MORE gearheads & bikes downstairs...
That has always been MY impression of this show...
...Enjoy..
...-
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
As for rat-rods, I like the flat black look, but the rest I can do without. To each their own.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Alaska
Part of our family
I like them although I am more into the pro street look. They are part of the resto family and like family we can respect their style and get along even if it is not our look. Live on rat rods
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
From: Owosso Michigan
What cracks me up is some DUDE telling me he's old school and has the dew to prove it and the vehicle to make the show complete but needs something new like a computer to tell the world he's cool in old school!
Now you got me goin' why do people think some rusty beater is old school or "traditional" especially when it's a rusty beater. All the "little books" with pictures of traditional vehicles or drag race rat rods weren't rusted up to the windows and 2 inches off the ground and you have to get in thru the roof? If folks wanted the "look" do it like they did back in the day. A flat black Econoline is not old school or traditional nor did they do it back in the day.......
Damn I wish I wouldn't have read this post.........................................
Michigan Rick
Now you got me goin' why do people think some rusty beater is old school or "traditional" especially when it's a rusty beater. All the "little books" with pictures of traditional vehicles or drag race rat rods weren't rusted up to the windows and 2 inches off the ground and you have to get in thru the roof? If folks wanted the "look" do it like they did back in the day. A flat black Econoline is not old school or traditional nor did they do it back in the day.......
Damn I wish I wouldn't have read this post.........................................
Michigan Rick
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Glen burnie MD
lol, they are still awesome no matter how you feel DUDE! whats wrong with nostalgia or period correct vehicles? or throwing what you got together to make a hotrod? thats cool! I could say how boring and dull it is to stay true to every nut and bolt that came off a 60 year old truck and thats just crazy if you ask me. Its just a trend just like lowriders, euros, gassers whatever you could think of. I think no matter what your into you should be respected for at least doing something more with your time than being a couch potato alcoholic football junkie, lol just saying. no offense to anyone hahaha