A little 'rat rod' history lesson...
- Thread starter Krooser
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Gastrick
One of the Dirty Dozen!
I think that car only became famous because "Jake" Jacobs did it. If some "no name" random rodder would have tried that stunt, he probably would have been escorted off the grounds and not have been given any magazine coverage. I've known guys who had similar beater type cars well before that one appeared on the scene. I think they have been around since the beginning of rodding. I can remember when the term rat rod first started being tossed around. It was just another word for a beater or unfinished car applied to 20's, 30's or 40's cars. Everything evolves. Look at the difference between a street rod in the 70's and a street rod in the 90's. I think we take ourselves way to serious these days. I like to have fun with it and I think a lot of these guys are doing just that, many of them with a very tight budget.
It seems that many people today are under the impression that all the rods built in the late 40's and 50's were magazine quality cars. Not so. In fact, probably much less so than today due to the availability of tools at the time. Many of those cars would be consided junk and would be laughed at by todays standards. My dad was there and I regularly badger him for stories and information. The movement was largely populated by kids building cars at home without a lot of knowledge or a welder and many other tools that are taken for granted today.
I submit that "rat rodding" was around well before the 80's and was alive in the 40's
I submit exhibit A:
It seems that many people today are under the impression that all the rods built in the late 40's and 50's were magazine quality cars. Not so. In fact, probably much less so than today due to the availability of tools at the time. Many of those cars would be consided junk and would be laughed at by todays standards. My dad was there and I regularly badger him for stories and information. The movement was largely populated by kids building cars at home without a lot of knowledge or a welder and many other tools that are taken for granted today.
I submit that "rat rodding" was around well before the 80's and was alive in the 40's
I submit exhibit A:
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EnglishBob
Well-known member
I have to agree just seems the term was used later but the ideas are much earlier.
And I really don't see why so many panties are bunched up over a name,we are car lovers plain and simple and we should band together to sustain our future.
And I really don't see why so many panties are bunched up over a name,we are car lovers plain and simple and we should band together to sustain our future.
earthman
Fascinated by rolling objects!
Amen to your first statement brother Gas, and for the second there were no pressure washers in the '40's and '50's. No convenient rattle cans. No speedshops in most areas and middle class folks didn't have the disposible income/credit that we have now. The average dude did not have a compressor and spraygun at home nor could he afford 40 or 50 bucks for a body shop downtown to paint it nice.
Did anyone read PART II ? About Robert Williams and his 'Eights & Aces'. Far as I can tell, this article is for the check writers that want to know more about the 'scene' than the other guys that are buying into the rat rod 'craze'.
Seriously, the HAMB has to hate articles like this. Makes all the money guys think that traditionals are rat rods. So they show up there with a Fonzi idea of what the 'culture' is, use the RR word and then instantly get beat down. Places like RRR don't even get a second look - obviously we're that 'cartoon version of itself' that the article warns it's good readers to stay away from.
Seriously, the HAMB has to hate articles like this. Makes all the money guys think that traditionals are rat rods. So they show up there with a Fonzi idea of what the 'culture' is, use the RR word and then instantly get beat down. Places like RRR don't even get a second look - obviously we're that 'cartoon version of itself' that the article warns it's good readers to stay away from.
Sniper
Canadian Rust Bucket
I think you hit the nail on the head Gastrick. Jacobs merely reminded people of what was. Enough people liked it, and it evolved to where we are now. Just another facet of the hot rod.
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cycledog
A really rusty biker
Krooser
Well-known member
I always headed to the unfinished, project and unrestored survivors even back in the 70's. And OLD hot rods were always cool...
robertbandit
Well-known member
our forgotten hero
THINK what W ALMART has done for us. the public is here to serve. the great tombs and other things that was built that was to big or complicated with anyway to build or move where do the tools and knowledge go. notta tool or plans have been found where did it go. that beats the lent in your navel. i hear the voices again. i most go and the flying monkees where are they, i must go now. robertbandit[
THINK what W ALMART has done for us. the public is here to serve. the great tombs and other things that was built that was to big or complicated with anyway to build or move where do the tools and knowledge go. notta tool or plans have been found where did it go. that beats the lent in your navel. i hear the voices again. i most go and the flying monkees where are they, i must go now. robertbandit[
Sniper
Canadian Rust Bucket
Hey,! are you saying we're all wet?
Nah...I just can't spell.
It's not all bad, even when I misspell, I spell a real word. It just doesn't make much sense.
