Rat rod

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
 This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007)
An example of a Rat Rod

A rat rod is a style of hot rod or custom car that, in most cases, imitates (or exaggerates) the early hot rods of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. It is not to be confused with the somewhat closely related "traditional" hot rod, which is an accurate re-creation or period-correct restoration of a hot rod from the same era.

Most rat rods appear "unfinished" (whether they actually are or are not), with just the bare essentials to be driven.

The rat rod is the visualization of the idea of function over form. Rat rods are meant to be driven, not shown off. Sometimes the customization will include using spare parts, or parts from another car altogether.

Contents

[edit] Definition

Originally a counter-reaction to the traditional hot rod, a label recently applied to undriven cars and super high priced "customs". The rat rod's beginning was a throwback to the hot rods of the earlier days of hot-rodding, built to the best of the owner's abilities and meant to be driven. Rat rods are meant to loosely imitate in form and function, the "traditional" hot rods of the era. Biker, greaser, rockabilly, and punk culture is often credited as influence that shapes rat-rodding.

The typical rat rod (an early 1920s through 1950s coupe or roadster): Early (pre-World War II) vehicles often have their fenders, hoods, running boards, and bumpers removed. The bodies are frequently channeled over the frame, and sectioned, or the roofs chopped for a lower profile. Later post-war vehicles are rarely constructed without fenders and are often customized in the fashion of Kustoms, leadsleds, and lowriders. Maltese crosses, skulls, and other accessories are often added. Chopped tops, shaved trim, grills, tail lights, and other miscellaneous body parts are swapped between makes and models. Most, if not all of the work and engineering is done by the owner of the vehicle.

Recently, the term "rat rod" (or rat car as modern cars are not actually hot rods like the name suggests) has been used to describe almost any vehicle that appears unfinished or is built simply to be driven.

[edit] General

[edit] Chassis

Frames from older cars or light trucks are preferred for the chassis, because they provide a sturdy base for subsequent alterations. Older cars in poor condition are often advertised as candidates for rat rod conversions. But in many cases the owner will design & build the frame himself.

[edit] Paint and Finish

Typical "rough" finish of Rat Rods.

Many Rat Rods appear unfinished with primer paint jobs being common. Other finishes may include “natural patina” (the original paint with rust and blemishes intact), a patchwork of original paint and primer, or bare metal with no finish at all in rusty or oiled varieties.With the thought that "It's only original once." Many rat rods also have free hand pinstriping done by the owners with a pinstriping brush. Contrary to tastes of many car builders, rust is often acceptable and appreciated by a Rat Rodder.

[edit] Interior

Interiors of rat rods vary from fully finished to a spartan, bare bones form. Mexican blankets and bomber seats form the basis of many rat rod interiors. Most are designed to be functional without many comforts although this will vary with the owner’s taste.

[edit] Drive train

Though a variety of engines may be used, the most common are to be found in a Rat Rod are Flathead V8's, early Chrysler Hemi engines, or more modern Small Block V8's from any manufacturer, especially Chevrolet. It is not uncommon to see straight-8s straight-6s, straight-4s, V6s or even diesel engines. These engines may exhibit varying displacements and modifications.

Most Rat Rods are rear wheel drive, with an open driveline. The rear-ends are typically passenger vehicle pieces, as are the transmissions. The Ford Banjo rear-end is popular, as is the "Quickchange" type as used in many early hot rods.

[edit] Suspension

A beam axle is commonly accepted as the only type of front suspension that will look right when exposed without fenders on a vehicle with open front suspension. Independent front suspension is discouraged, Most Rat Rods use a 1928-1948 Ford I beam axle with a transverse leaf spring. Although any solid axle is acceptable, the Ford axle is preferred due to the availability of spare parts.

Springs vary from transverse, parallel and coil setups in the front and rear. Parallel is not seen as frequently as the more common single-spring transverse setup, though both are used commonly. Coil springs are often deemed unsightly without fenders, but are still occasionally seen. Rat rods also will often have airbag suspension which allows the driver to raise and lower the car.

[edit] Criticism

Preservationists believe that modification of any rare surviving historical vehicle should be discouraged. In addition, traditional Hot Rodders criticize Rat Rods as mere imitations or anachronistic.

[edit] Origins

The December 1972 issue of Rod & Custom Magazine was dedicated to the beater, a low-budget alternative to the over-polished, slickly-painted, customized early car. The beater could easily be considered a progenitor of the rat rod. However, owners of these beaters often had a high-dollar machine sitting in their garage: no expensive upholstery, primered if painted at all, no chromed and polished Corvette/Jaguar rear ends.

As with many cultural terms, there are disputes over the origin of the term "rat rod". Some say it first appeared in an article written in Hot Rod Magazine by Gray Baskerville about cars that still sported a coat of primer. Some claim that the first rat rod was owned by artist Robert Williams who had a '32 Ford Roadster that was painted in primer. Hot Rod magazine has since verified this.[1]Although the term likely started out as derogatory or pejorative (and is still used in this way by many), members of the subcultures that build and enjoy these cars have adopted the term in a positive light.


The above is false information and can be proven wrong! The term Rat Rod was invented by one car club well known as Shifters So Cal. A younger group of 50's retro greasers from southern California that have been in existence since 1992. This car club has always built traditionally styled hot rods that consist's of Pre world war II Fords. The reason that the Shifters originally created the term was to identify their cars differently from what was going on in the street rod industry at the time of the early to mid 1990's , where it was fashionable to build/own brightly neon colored cars with grills & bumpers painted body color, and cars with a lot of billet aluminum. The Shifters were trying to show the world that Rat Rod (at the time) meant a traditional Hot Rod that was unfinished. In other words, a car one might of seen in a high school parking lot back in the 40's or 50's. By that, they meant the cars were in primer and didn't have much upholstery. Soon after the Shifters came in to the Hot Rod scene, automotive magazines from all over the world did articles on them and it clearly stated the word/phrase "Rat Rod" in those articles. This was sort of like "Rat Bikes" - motorcycles that one would see at gatherings where the bike wasn't finished - would be in primer, had a torn seat,etc. Again, proof can be shown to anyone that wants to see it. For additional information and pictures check out the Shifters So Cal website or their My Space page. Lets set this record straight so there is no misinformation ! Today, the word Rat Rod has taken on an entirely different meaning. People have 70's and 80's cars in primer and they call them Rat Rods. This is also false and not what the Shifters initially intended when they coined that phrase. Please go to http://www.aeclassic.com/shifters/ . This valuable information was updated by the Shifters So Cal car club. Verification can be seen in Continental Restyling magazine (May 1994) , Custom Car magazine (January 1996) , Cal magazine (April 1996) , Rod & Custom magazine (February 1998)

[edit] Modern Rat Cars

Modern rat cars have been practiced in small amounts. Also known as "ratting", ratting modern cars have not been widely accepted. Modern rat cars can be classified as cars from the 70's and newer. More modern rat cars such as those built in 2000 or newer have the general look of rally cars but with lowered suspension and added/removed/degraded parts that make the car old, and give off the same feel as older rat rods. Most common changes are replacing fenders, removing them and rusting the hood; painting the car in matte; adding white walls to tires; changing the rims with spares, industrialized or older rims with hubcaps; and intentionally having missing parts. These cars usually have no aftermarket visual body kits or mods, they are usual scrap parts or homemade. As in Rat Rods, these cars are simply built to be driven, so they have different performance levels, though high powered vehicles are preferred. This style can be said to have been influenced by both Rat Rods and a Sleeper (car). Though, they also have the ricer look as rat cars can also be modified simply for looks.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Shifters So Cal. Shifters So Cal car club on My Space. Cal magazine from Japan. Continental Restyling magazine from England. Rod & Custom magazine from U.S. Custom Car magazine from England.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWL5jWWpsEQ&feature=channel_page
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_rod"
Personal tools