As much as we love to see cars kept original, some “barn finds” are just too far gone to be feasible restoration projects. That’s where movements like rat rodding come into play. It gives forgotten machines another chance while providing their owners with a creative outlet. You may love rat rods or hate them, but there is no denying the fact that they play an important part in our automotive world.
That’s why we have decided to start a new site about the topic. Montana has headed up the effort and the name is easy to remember – RatRods.com So, please check it out, sign up for the email, and let us know what you think in the comments below.
NICE!!!!! I’ve already added the site to my browser! I LOVE RAT RODS!
LOL! Never would have guessed!
Is this a free site or will there be membership dues?
They would have to pay me to go to that website. Doing that to vehicles just wrecks them, in my opinion. I like 100% stock myself.
We are right here Mh. Like we said, some people love them and some hate them.
Some cars are so far gone this is the best way to keep em on the road. Love me a ratrod!
Exactly, it is the only way some cars and trucks get a second chance. My 46 Studebaker truck came out of a Wisc wrecking yard. Will it ever be nice…nope…can it be a safe, build what ya got rat rod..yep!!!!!!!
MH, I completely agree. Assuming your initials are MH, than cheers as mine are as well.
This will be interesting to keep an eye on I have the engine and transmission to get going on a rat rod now I just need to find an appropriate body and frame to buy!
Here goes the other half of my day. I look forward to seeing what you guys have to offer.
LOL SumtingWong!
Great idea BF’s……every vehicle needs a place to call home.
Awesome…personally I see rat rods as being the only way to beat the ridiculous pricing on most classics today. Back to the true spirit of hot-rodding…already bookmarked and subscribed!
Hmm, a site just for ratrods? I personally think ratrods are really cool, I just never thought there would be a site devoted to them. I doubt you’ll have the success of Barn Finds, as rat rods won’t appeal to everybody, like Barn Find’s does. Also, due to many factors, ratrods are area specific, like California, and northern climates don’t have much use for vehicles like these, and parts too, pretty slim pickens in the north. Still, ratrods convey the ultimate in creativity when it comes to a vehicle, and I like trying to guess where the parts came from. I guess my biggest beef, is when someone turns a restorable classic into one. Good luck on the new venture.
Just scanned through 8 pages, I guess all these things being an inch off the ground is the basic requirement. Never cared for that, I think it looks silly, half a wheel hidden and comes right out of S. California. And I’m sorry, you want to gather a bunch of nuts and bolts and a beer tap into a car is one thing, but finding a 1940 Ford pickup, one of the most beautiful Ford trucks made, should really be left alone. I think there are others that feel like I do, and there could be some static on that.
Well, unfortunately there are people , I like to think of them as ersatz James Dean’s, born too late and bereft of the original hotrod experience, ( let me add I was ALSO born too late) who like to turn old cars into something out of the Monty Python movie, Brazil .
I can remember when I first saw one of these in San Diego back in the nineties, I was disgusted. But then I’m pretty opinionated.
With all that, I understand Jesse’s view that there is a market for it. So we shall see.
The only problem I see with gaining a readership is how much of a car can you see on a phone?
I wouldn’t own one but they are quite interesting to look at, subscribed.
I say let it ride!
Sorry, but I just don’t get ’em. I’m no restoration expert but I’ve done a few and am self taught. I see these as just some pile of junk that people throw together because they don’t or can’t do it the right way.
I used to like them as an expression of non-conformity, but now that they
A. have become sort of standardized in their appearance
B. Cost as much to build as a restoration
C. have become Ratrods (capital R), I have lost interest.
But good luck with the site, bring the best ones over to barnfinds.
This rat rod and patina thing just needs to go away. Sorry for my unpopular opinion.
Prices are as much or more as a restore. Not for me.
Appreciate the creativity and workmanship that goes into building SOME of the RatRods but absolutely no interest for me. To each their own however!
Rat rods are here to stay whether we like it or not. I’ve got some pics in my collection. If I could upload them, I’d be more than happy to share them, as I do on BF…
Hi Geomechs, we would love for you to send in your photos! You can send them to RatRods inbox at mail@ratrods.com
Thanks!
just people who can’t finish a job when it comes to the hard work
I thought, technically speaking, a rat motor was a big block Chevy as opposed to a mouse motor, which is a small block. That would make most of these mouse rods rather than rat rods, yes?
Good point John, I think here the term rat is short for ratty.
These were cool when the original concept came about, taking a car/truck that was otherwise well past restorable or not financially feasible and making something out of it using random salvaged parts and pieces.
Once they became trendy and people started building them on purpose out of otherwise decent cars/trucks, including the faux-patina thing and the super high dollar Derelict “brand” cars the entire concept seems to have lost its way.
Could there be vehicles in the car/truck hobby less useful than a RatRod??? I can’t think of any…..
My version of a rat rod would be a 32 Ford coup type car with no fenders a chopped top very wide DOT slicks on the rear skinny front radiald all on weld aluminum wheels with a super charged BBC in the front, 900 hp would be easily made with this setup. Maybe not a rat rod but it’s my version!
I’ll never understand why someone would want to make their car look like it has patina. Where I come from, patina is something you can’t afford or hadn’t gotten around to fixing yet.
But, to each their own. It’s their car, they can do whatever they like with it.
Either way, I agree with geomechs. These are here to stay. At least the young folks building these are interested in cars.
To each his own. You either like ’em or you don’t.
As SumtinWong said, although a touch altered, “great another site that I cannot keep up with”!!!! I am always weeks behind the “flow” on BF’s. I guess I will be months behind on the new site! I have already subscribed though. Guess I am a sucker for punishment.