What do you think of "ratrods"?

[bradnree]

"barn find"

BRAD

[bradnree]

"barn find"

BRAD

[Jessie J.]

Those "two lane blacktop" photos are a reminder that guys really were building cars in that style long before the oh-so offensive moniker became popular. I can clearly recall several local "rods" from the early '60s that were virtually identical in fit and finish to what is presently popularly called "rat rods". For example back in '64 a local "pump jockey" (remember them? ) put together a '31 A sedan body mounted on a '56 Pontiac frame, brush painted the thing with green Rustoleum, installed some glass-packs and a set of wide-whites and went out looking for the 409 Chevy's and 406 Ford's to street-race against. (no real drag-strips within a hundred miles) He didn't win all the time, but had one heck of a lot of fun trying.
There were thousands of similar cars all over the country, though few ever appeared in magazines, they certainly far outnumbered the glossy painted, upholstered and "finished" cars.
Possibly the most notable difference between these old builds and the one being done nowadays is that back then very few "rods" were lowered to the extremes that are now prevalent, not saying that none were, but most were not, as "Gas coupe" drag cars were a big influence on how pre-'49 style bodies were viewed, whereas lowering was more associated with the "custom" crowd. At the time of that A'rod, I was cruising around town in a lowered and lakes-pipe equipped '58 Impala, sporting more than a few primer spots.

[Jessie J.]

Those "two lane blacktop" photos are a reminder that guys really were building cars in that style long before the oh-so offensive moniker became popular. I can clearly recall several local "rods" from the early '60s that were virtually identical in fit and finish to what is presently popularly called "rat rods". For example back in '64 a local "pump jockey" (remember them? ) put together a '31 A sedan body mounted on a '56 Pontiac frame, brush painted the thing with green Rustoleum, installed some glass-packs and a set of wide-whites and went out looking for the 409 Chevy's and 406 Ford's to street-race against. (no real drag-strips within a hundred miles) He didn't win all the time, but had one heck of a lot of fun trying.
There were thousands of similar cars all over the country, though few ever appeared in magazines, they certainly far outnumbered the glossy painted, upholstered and "finished" cars.
Possibly the most notable difference between these old builds and the one being done nowadays is that back then very few "rods" were lowered to the extremes that are now prevalent, not saying that none were, but most were not, as "Gas coupe" drag cars were a big influence on how pre-'49 style bodies were viewed, whereas lowering was more associated with the "custom" crowd. At the time of that A'rod, I was cruising around town in a lowered and lakes-pipe equipped '58 Impala, sporting more than a few primer spots.

[stude freak]

Allan, The prez of our club has a reproduction of the 55 chevy "two lane blacktop "car.A couple years ago at our club show the original two lane car was there .They were parked side by side looked like mirror images.
.


David Baggett '53 coupe

[stude freak]

Allan, The prez of our club has a reproduction of the 55 chevy "two lane blacktop "car.A couple years ago at our club show the original two lane car was there .They were parked side by side looked like mirror images.
.


David Baggett '53 coupe

[fastfritz]

quote:Originally posted by S2DSteve

I have a little different perspective in that my Dad built his first hotrod, a phaeton body on a '29 coupe frame, in 1939. It would defintely be considered a "ratrod" today, but that was only because of an extremely limited (depression era) budget, and making it lighter and faster the primary objective. There certainly was no effort to make it look "ratty" however. After WWII, he and his buddies started building the cars they dreamed about during the war. Other than temporarily "under construction" primered rods, I never saw anything like the "ratrods" of today. They may have been homebuilt, but nobody would deliberately drive around in the rusty, cobbled up messes you see now.


Steve Hudson

Steve,
Good point about in the era of real "hot rodding" in the 40's and early 50's. The cars were built for "function over form". I love the early era and the risks those guys (like your dad) took with the limited funds and technology of that time.
Fast forward to today, and guys are building these on purpose to look ratty. Form over function like this kooky cat's sedan:

I have to wonder what this guy was thinking ?!?! when he cobbled this beast together. I do give him high marks for using snow tires on the front!! It seems to be an attempt to just pile on as much old rusty junk as humanly possible onto a creaking, overstressed, rusty, buckling frame!
The early era rods compared to the new "rat rods" is like comparing true art to a modern Elvis on black velvet.[xx(]

Most guys building hot rods today trying to capture the TRUE flavor of the 40's and 50's actually hate the term "rat rod". They are building HOT RODs. Period. I can respect that.



Frank Remlinger
SDC# A004602R

[fastfritz]

quote:Originally posted by S2DSteve

I have a little different perspective in that my Dad built his first hotrod, a phaeton body on a '29 coupe frame, in 1939. It would defintely be considered a "ratrod" today, but that was only because of an extremely limited (depression era) budget, and making it lighter and faster the primary objective. There certainly was no effort to make it look "ratty" however. After WWII, he and his buddies started building the cars they dreamed about during the war. Other than temporarily "under construction" primered rods, I never saw anything like the "ratrods" of today. They may have been homebuilt, but nobody would deliberately drive around in the rusty, cobbled up messes you see now.


Steve Hudson

Steve,
Good point about in the era of real "hot rodding" in the 40's and early 50's. The cars were built for "function over form". I love the early era and the risks those guys (like your dad) took with the limited funds and technology of that time.
Fast forward to today, and guys are building these on purpose to look ratty. Form over function like this kooky cat's sedan:

I have to wonder what this guy was thinking ?!?! when he cobbled this beast together. I do give him high marks for using snow tires on the front!! It seems to be an attempt to just pile on as much old rusty junk as humanly possible onto a creaking, overstressed, rusty, buckling frame!
The early era rods compared to the new "rat rods" is like comparing true art to a modern Elvis on black velvet.[xx(]

Most guys building hot rods today trying to capture the TRUE flavor of the 40's and 50's actually hate the term "rat rod". They are building HOT RODs. Period. I can respect that.



Frank Remlinger
SDC# A004602R

[PekkaP]

The rat rods have been a popular phenomenom over here in Northern Europe as well for the past five six years. For the younger generation with limited funds it has been an easier way into the old car hobby in some cases -- in many cases it is also partially a lifestyle / fashion thing. What has been interesting as been the growing interest towards orphan brands and sort of oddballs. And I have also noticed that Stude V8s seem to be an interesting option for some guys.

On the other hand due to the scarcity of these engines over here people also "crossbreed" things like on this local 1927 Sudebaker Pick -Up ( sorry for the slightly blurred photos):

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2152677580064371389wAgNdZ

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2244421640064371389PeqvKf

Currently I am trying to help one of my fiends who builds hot rods for himself working 3-4 years for one car. He fetched one of my spare engines for this project few weeks ago and he is in the process of building this 1928/29 Erskine coupe. It already has a narrowed 9" Ford rear and the power will come from the 1957 259/289 Studebaker that I sold him. Frame will be more or less hand made to adapt suspension modifications. His previous Hot Rod was the winner of our national largest car show so this will not be a rat rod but at the early stages sure may look a bit like that... But in general I think all trends and areas of car hobby that bring interest towards Studebakers among the younger generation is good.

Some pics of the Erskine -project that I am helping a bit here[]

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2755384070064371389TensSh

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2186674270064371389ggKvwc

Once the Erskine coupe is a bit further down the road I will give an update.[8D]That will be more towards 2009.

Pekka





1955 President State Coupe
1958 Golden Hawk
1961 Lark Regal VIII Convertible

[PekkaP]

The rat rods have been a popular phenomenom over here in Northern Europe as well for the past five six years. For the younger generation with limited funds it has been an easier way into the old car hobby in some cases -- in many cases it is also partially a lifestyle / fashion thing. What has been interesting as been the growing interest towards orphan brands and sort of oddballs. And I have also noticed that Stude V8s seem to be an interesting option for some guys.

On the other hand due to the scarcity of these engines over here people also "crossbreed" things like on this local 1927 Sudebaker Pick -Up ( sorry for the slightly blurred photos):

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2152677580064371389wAgNdZ

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2244421640064371389PeqvKf

Currently I am trying to help one of my fiends who builds hot rods for himself working 3-4 years for one car. He fetched one of my spare engines for this project few weeks ago and he is in the process of building this 1928/29 Erskine coupe. It already has a narrowed 9" Ford rear and the power will come from the 1957 259/289 Studebaker that I sold him. Frame will be more or less hand made to adapt suspension modifications. His previous Hot Rod was the winner of our national largest car show so this will not be a rat rod but at the early stages sure may look a bit like that... But in general I think all trends and areas of car hobby that bring interest towards Studebakers among the younger generation is good.

Some pics of the Erskine -project that I am helping a bit here[]

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2755384070064371389TensSh

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2186674270064371389ggKvwc

Once the Erskine coupe is a bit further down the road I will give an update.[8D]That will be more towards 2009.

Pekka





1955 President State Coupe
1958 Golden Hawk
1961 Lark Regal VIII Convertible

[fastfritz]

Pekka,

I love the comment about the "rat rod" thing being a fashion statement!

Oddly enough, that photo I posted was from a hot rod show in Sweden! I DO like the image of that rust bucket backdropped by rows of shiny Firebirds.

There is a world of difference between the two types of rods. The Stude pick up you show is a carefully thought out, properly assembled HOT ROD. To me, that is not a rat. That rust rod on the other hand is a rat rod. At some local cruise nights we get a couple of rat rods. I look them over and wonder how on God's green earth did they drive more than one city block without disintegrating??? [:0][:0]

Best wishes on the Erskine! Are you going to chop the top??

Frank Remlinger
SDC# A004602R

[fastfritz]

Pekka,

I love the comment about the "rat rod" thing being a fashion statement!

Oddly enough, that photo I posted was from a hot rod show in Sweden! I DO like the image of that rust bucket backdropped by rows of shiny Firebirds.

There is a world of difference between the two types of rods. The Stude pick up you show is a carefully thought out, properly assembled HOT ROD. To me, that is not a rat. That rust rod on the other hand is a rat rod. At some local cruise nights we get a couple of rat rods. I look them over and wonder how on God's green earth did they drive more than one city block without disintegrating??? [:0][:0]

Best wishes on the Erskine! Are you going to chop the top??

Frank Remlinger
SDC# A004602R

[PekkaP]

Frank,

Thanks for the comments. The Erskine of my friend will get a lower stance for sure - the roof height is still on the sketchboard of the owner to be decided - it sure will look cool when its done.

Regarding the "rat rod" vs "hot rod" it sure is a matter how thedefinition is undertood. Here it is more widely used. I post here a few more pics from one of our local events.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/562018367edEYFj

All these rods were driven a couple of hundreds of miles to and back and during the event. The owner of the '31 Olds rode his previous similar open ride for over 200 miles to a show two-three years ago when the temperature was below the freezing point.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1332520190064371389FLUTQX

Not something what I would do or even admire but sure it did turn heads on he highway

1955 President State Coupe
1958 Golden Hawk
1961 Lark Regal VIII Convertible

[PekkaP]

Frank,

Thanks for the comments. The Erskine of my friend will get a lower stance for sure - the roof height is still on the sketchboard of the owner to be decided - it sure will look cool when its done.

Regarding the "rat rod" vs "hot rod" it sure is a matter how thedefinition is undertood. Here it is more widely used. I post here a few more pics from one of our local events.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/562018367edEYFj

All these rods were driven a couple of hundreds of miles to and back and during the event. The owner of the '31 Olds rode his previous similar open ride for over 200 miles to a show two-three years ago when the temperature was below the freezing point.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1332520190064371389FLUTQX

Not something what I would do or even admire but sure it did turn heads on he highway

1955 President State Coupe
1958 Golden Hawk
1961 Lark Regal VIII Convertible

[fastfritz]

quote:Originally posted by PekkaP

Frank,

Thanks for the comments. The Erskine of my friend will get a lower stance for sure - the roof height is still on the sketchboard of the owner to be decided - it sure will look cool when its done.

Pekka,
For the proper hot rod look, the roof needs at least a 3" ~chop~!! [}]
To paraphrase the old saying:
"Anybody can restore a car, but it takes a real man to cut one up!"

I have a friend who owns a '27 Ford three window coupe. The body had been sectioned, but the roofline remains stock. The thing looks like a telephone booth on four wheels. I keep waiting for 15 clowns to jump out of the thing!! [)][)][)]

Frank Remlinger
SDC# A004602R