I say we call it a TRADITIONAL ROD and introduce him the the fellows over at the H A M B !!!! I'm sure they will welcome that style with open arms!
I really do wish that there was sort of a classification for what a RAT ROD really is....I don't like it when someone takes a 1977 ford f100, paints it black, and calls it a rat rod...it is not...it is just a truck in primer!
I also read that other post and a rusty BMW will never be classified as a rat rod.
The above is an example of people trying to jump on the rat-rod band wagon with whatever type of car they have at their disposal! Remember the RICE BURNER days when everyone had APC decals, wings and coffe can exhausts?? made you sick seeing all that ...right???......Well now its the RAT ROD time!
My opinion of a rat rod is a vehicle that was assembled from numerous other vehicles as well as owner fabricated parts. SOmeone starts with just a body...they either get a frame from something else or build one themself, the engine from something else....ect...you guys know what I mean.
The first thing about a rat rod is it should be pre 1960, only a carburated engine (no turbo's, blowers, nitrous), minimally(sp?) equipped with only the barest of essential needed equipment to be road legal, bare/sparce interior, no high luster paint jobs--only either natural patina or primer...Just way to many "I GOT A ROD ROD" and its a modern car with nothing more than it being painted flat black with a rattle can!
If someone wants to build a RAT ROD..they need to have basic guidlines of what a rat rod is and should be like. I know many of you will say we don't need no stinking rules..I build what I want...and I agree 100000% with you. Build what you want but don't call an apple an orange either.
I hate to sound like one of those traditional guys over on that other site...but some one needs to put their foot down soon! I don't need to see any PT CRUISER RAT RODS in my neighborhood any time soon!
Just remember...at rat rod should be assembled from numerous other vehicles as well as owner fabricated parts. Not a bone stock 54 Chevy painted black!