Old Hot Rods

[DEEPNHOCK]

While I am not in favor of people intentionally building stuff crappy just to hang the label "Rat Rod' on it....
I like the creative part of some builds....
Take this one for example... Except for the gas tank being exposed, I'd love to have this to just tool around in.
I like his style... The lines aren't grotesque.
And it it small and cute....
Jeff

[SN-60]

While I am not in favor of people intentionally building stuff crappy just to hang the label "Rat Rod' on it....
I like the creative part of some builds....
Take this one for example... Except for the gas tank being exposed, I'd love to have this to just tool around in.
I like his style... The lines aren't grotesque.
And it it small and cute....
Jeff

It's a death-trap.

[jclary]

It's a death-trap.

Well...depending on your age and agility...but...aren't they all!

[SN-60]

Well...depending on your age and agility...but...aren't they all!

No!......not like this thing.

[jclary]

No!......not like this thing.

I understand what you're saying. When I was a teenager and thought I was invincible, I had a 1928 A Model...Olds V8...no fenders...hand painted flames down the side. I made a date with the hottest chick in town. When I showed up in that thing...and her parents saw it...the date consisted of ice cream served by her mom...we got no closer to the car than sitting in the porch swing and looking at it.

Mine had operating doors, but I bet if I'd have wrecked it, those would have been the first thing off the car.

[hawk58man]

I kinda like the boat gas tank as a'' head rest'' I don't even see a bungee cord holding it in place. What kind 4 banger motor is that in there??..

[dean pearson]

furd 300 ?
I get you tho Jeff.
I like the tilt top and think it is cool.
Agreed that at the same time it is for sure a death trap.

Dean.

[oldsalt]

I love properly conceived and built rats. Have got close to a few rats that can only be described as automotive art work. I have a rat 50 Champion. The idea that you can 'color outside the lines' is often responsible for some very fresh and interesting machines [not mine however]. And safe ones. However, there is a popular website that has a tag line of: ".....dedicated to rat cars........built with junk yard parts". They have posts about how their cars are being built. Some that would preclude the ability to safely stand close to. Even if it were on jack stands. The above example has a serious flaw or two but the overall 'vision' and execution is commendable. The downside is that the more true wrecks that are visible to the public the more legislation we will all have to live with.

[t walgamuth]

It does have nice lines and proportions. No excuse for the gas tank though.

[BobPalma]

No one is yet to answer the engine question; what is it? An early 2.0L Ranger 4-cyl?

I really don't know, but it doesn't look like OHC, so that rules out a lot of contemporary 4-cylinder engines.

Cute rod; I share your appreciation of it, Jeff...as well as your reservations about the gas tank! BP

[FlatheadGeo]

Well, with the gas tank as it sits, and the 4 banger--Pinto?

[t walgamuth]

Its not a 1600 pinto because they have straight sides on the valve cover. i agree though it appears to be a four cylinder push rod engine. The valve cover made me think volvo first but the carb is wrong for that. They had twin su's iirc.

is it an iron duke?

[Dougie]

Compared to newer cars all of our Studebakers are deathtraps too. Personally I like the potential for impalement presented by our steering columns.

I think it's cool but you guys are right there's no excuse for the gas tank. If the tank was a fuel cell made to look like that now that would be cool.

[8E45E]

Compared to newer cars all of our Studebakers are deathtraps too. Personally I like the potential for impalement presented by our steering columns.

I think it's cool but you guys are right there's no excuse for the gas tank. If the tank was a fuel cell made to look like that now that would be cool.

I think Studebaker trucks were much safer that comparable trucks of the era where the gas tank in some of them were in the cab, right behind the seat!

Craig

[t walgamuth]

Yes, good point!

I think Studebaker trucks were much safer that comparable trucks of the era where the gas tank in some of them were in the cab, right behind the seat!

Craig