Rat Rod History

Some motor vehicles are meant to be shown off and paraded. Many car enthusiasts spend thousands and in some cased hundreds of thousands of dollars restoring classic cars. They then showcase them, but never drive them. They are concerned with nothing more than the attention found in someone looking over their pristine and sleek looking vehicle with envious eyes.

Rat Rod’s are the exception to that rule. They are not built to be feasted upon by hungry eyes. They are built for nothing more than to function. They are a complete slap in the face to the classic hot rod vehicles of times past and now in the restored present. They are a means of poking fun at those who whittle away their lives dedicating so much time and effort to creating high profile cars that just sit in garages and showrooms like statues.

The image of a rat conjures up thoughts of a sick and vile rodent that eats trash and lives in the sewer. A second class citizen who is not even worthy of table scraps. The Rat Rod is that rodent in the flesh. Only, it takes pride in its unfinished primer paint look and mismatching attire. It wants you to know that it might not look pretty, but it can drive better and faster than any Hot Rod on the road.

In the 50’s there was a great hype for “Hot Rods.” These were sleek and sophisticated cars that generally had special paint jobs that shined from miles away. They were custom crafted with special made parts and generous additions. No feature was left unattended when it came to making the car a classic fashion staple. For the most part these vehicles were driven for nothing but show. Some times drivers would simply park their Hot Rods in droves to gain attention and envy.

“Rat Rod’s” stumbled onto the scene with very poor paint jobs, if they had a paint job at all. Parts of the car were broken or falling apart, and rust was considered a special feature. The drivers of these cars were making a statement. A statement that said: I am more than my car. Rat Rod drivers prided themselves on being down to earth and not possession focused sheep. Suddenly, these cars were becoming a statement to the rich. A statement that read loud and clear, it’s not the look of the car --- it’s how it drives.

A Rat Rod driver could be seen racing other cars in the 50’s. It was common practice for these illegal types of races to take place.

However, in modern day society the Rat Rod, for some, has become what it was never intended to be. Many Rat Rod owners now showcase their vehicles just as the Hot Rod driver did in times past. They now have their own special part in many car shows and people marvel over their simplicity and lack of design. Many prideful owners take great care in mix-matching parts to give their Rat Rod that authentic look of age and time.

Regardless, Rat Rod’s are an American icon in automotives that are sure to stay in the history books.