Rat Rods, Mixing Hot Rods and Custom Classic Vehicles

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 at 9:17 pm

Rat Rods

A rat rod is a style of “hot rod” or “custom car” that exaggerates the early hot rods of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. It is not to be confused with the “traditional” hot rod ,muscle car, or high-end classic vehicles.

Most rat rods appear “unfinished” with just the bare essentials to be driven. These classic vehicles,fall into the classic car categories for some people.

The rat rod is seeing the idea of function over form. Rat rods are meant to be driven, with American classic car parts, dispersed throughout their body. Sometimes the customization will include using spare classic parts, or parts from another classic car year altogether

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These great cars are meant to be driven hard, not showcased and displayed exclusively

Defining the Rat Rod

To compensate for the traditional hot rods and the pricey “custom” cars, these classic vehicles < a rhef=”http://www.americanclassiccarparts.com/>classic vehicles, had to be produced by the owners of a hot-rod. The rat rod was meant to be driven and driven well, by it’s owner. Rat rods are similar to traditional hot rods, not muscle cars. Different cultures have influenced the designs of the rad rods.

A coupe or roadster is a typical body style for the rad rod. No hoods, fenders, shaved trim, running boards grace these vehicles, with no need for a performance exhaust, just the classic car exhaust is all that is necessary to hear them roar. Chopped roofs are a common customization feature for these cars.

The design of these classic rat rods is customized by the owner making each car unique and custom engineered.

The Frame

The use of an older car frame for the rat rod conversion is often preferred, to provide a sturdy base for further changes and alterations in the car. If the right frame can’t be found, owners will build this framework for their new car.

Paint or Primer

No shiny color paint for these classic rat rods. These car owners appreciate the rust of years gone by and make the decision to maintain these classic vehicles, from years ago, rust and all, intact. Finishes include satin or matte colors, “natural patina” (which reflects the original paint and rust still intact), as well as, good old primer paint jobs.

The Engine

Looking for the right engine for your new rat rod, the most common used is the flathead V8. Chrysler Hemi engines can fill the need, as well as the small block V8. With any engine used, there will be some displacements and some modifications. These classic vehicles, are traditionally rear wheel drive.

So Where Did The Term Rat Rod Start?

The root of the term “rat rod” may have different starts, one groups says it was written in an article in Hot Rod Magazine, in the 1970′s. Rat rod was not always a positive term, it actually started out as a degrading term used with classic car enthusiasts. Whatever the case of rat rod beginnings, these cars are loved and built and driven world-wide. The term has been reborn in a positive light for the car lovers who own the classic rat rods.

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