Down and Dirty: Slammed '36 Rat Rod Truck

Scraping Norm

The rat rod trend might be waning, but this slammed 1936 Ford pickup is still scraping the pavement with derelict appeal. Deviating from the rat rod norm, this rusty heap is actually mechanically sound and pulled $24,200 at auction. Automotive enthusiasts either love or hate rat rods, but it is hard not to appreciate this down-and-dirty pile of parts.

Photos courtesy of Saratoga Auctions.

Low Approach

Rat rods are sort of like the punk rockers of hot rods. In general, rat rods are purpose-built to get a reaction and annoy purists. The term 'rat rod' is derived from 'rat bikes,' which have their own wacky history. Despite the naming convention, rat rodding is a contemporary phenomenon that spun out of the more sedate, low-budget, hot rod approach.

Famed Accolade

Intentionally exaggerated, rat rods have developed into their own art form. Jim Jacobs from Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Parts in Peculiar, Missouri is often given credit for building the first publicly recognized rat rod in 1987. A dubious accolade shared with famed lowbrow artist Robert Williams and his 1932 Ford roadster, nicknamed 'Eights and Aces.'

Jalopy Slang

An obscure fact about hot rods is that they once held the same rank as rat rods do today. As hot rodding gained popularity in the 1930s, gow job, hop-up or soup-up became the common terms. The hot rod was relegated to describing a beat-up jalopy. Gow and hop were also slang names for drugs and linked to racehorse doping practices.

Torque Stroke

Slightly blasphemous, this 1936 Ford rat rod is powered by a 400 cubic-inch Chevrolet motor, coupled to a three-speed automatic transmission. No other mechanical details are provided in the listing, but the small block was produced from the 1970s until 1980. Because of its long stroke, the 400 was a low RPM, high torque engine well suited to performance modifications.

Contraption Purpose

Guaranteed to push any neighbor to the brink of madness, Lakester or 'zoomie' style exhaust manifolds make short work of the small block's spent gasses. Just behind the pipes is a highly crafted lever with a brass topper and motorcycle brake handle. With the gear shifter located in the tunnel, it is unclear as to the exact purpose of the contraption.

Compartment Division

The strange lever may control the truck's ride height. Under the rusty body sits a custom-built chassis fitted with a top-shelf AccuAir system, a division of the Arnott Air Suspension Products, located in Merritt Island, Florida. The air tank is visible behind the cab, while the battery is tucked away in a compartment at the rear of the bed.

Affixed Award

With its high-end suspension, the rat rod is reportedly a “dream to drive.” The sparse interior is fitted with leather seat cushions and an ample amount of 'diamond-quilted' sheet metal. A bottle opener is affixed to the top of the center console. The truck was awarded a Down and Dirty award at the Syracuse Nationals—fitting recognition for this one-of-a-kind 'hot rod.'

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