First off, I've heard that the people who are really into these hate the term "rat rods" even though it seems like a great label to me.
I like them and what I am particularly envious of is their apparent sense of commaraderie that seems to be lost in the Ford performance niche. IMO, the "rat rod" scene is comparable to the the low rider scene in that by focusing on "culture" rather than "performance" you seem to eliminate the potential bad attitudes and walls that come from a hobby based on speed and competition.
I have been accused of being a Rat Rodder because my '66 Falcon and '64 Galaxie still wear their original colors that are worn down to the metal in places. I AM NOT!!! I never got arount to painting them, but that is coming, eventually. I know a few people who have spent just as much time and money to build something that looks like crap vs. a nice rod. So to answer the question, I do not like Rat Rods that are deliberately built to look like crap.
They are cool if they are done right. But I see too many people putting stupied old parts that are only for looks. For example Ive seen many guys running adaptors on 4bbl manifolds to run two strombergs. with that swap over a 4bbl you are loosing significant power. Many guys also run stuff that is downright dangerous, example exposed driveshafts on channeled cars. But, I like the mantatity that a hot rod does not have to be shiny, or that it doesent need all of the latest gee-whiz parts. Its fun seeing old nostalgic cars bieng driven. The fact that most rat-rod guys drive their cars makes them awsome in my book.
Today
[
