Going to UN-r*t the Rod,27 chrysler rebuild

With hat in hand........., This is was my first real hot rod that I built about 6 years ago, It has been a blast, When I started I really didn't have much money, tools, or nowledge. The R*t Rod thing was getting pretty popular and to a young guy with no money seems pretty obtainable. I built the car as safe as I knew how and I don't think I did too bad with a few acceptions but thats how you learn. Since the I'd say my taste for hot rods has changed and I have grown a dislike for being grouped up with people building dangerous, poorly engineered junk with all sorts of crap welded on for shock factor as well as the annoying aproval from crack head types flashing their devil hands everytime they see it(not really the people I care to impress) I've decided It's time to tear it down and do a rebuild.

The car has been very fun, I always described it as a overpowered go cart, The 401 nailhead has been fully rebuilt, the carbs are pretty well ironed out. the rearend has highway friendly 2:50 gear with a limited slip(It has more than enough power to overcome the tall gear) And I do like the fact that is doesn't make me cringe to park it unattended in any parking lot.

The dislikes are the very ratty body and a lot of the work I did bodywise was hurried through to have the car back running after a weekend, and therefore needs to be redone correctly. also the use of rear ladder bar type suspention needs to be changed not only for better ride, but also to avoid some of the disasters i've read about hear on the hamb when ladderbars are used for thing other than drag racing (you've got to start somewhere and learn as you go I guess)

I am planning on blasting the body to clean metal and repair correctly, The frame I think is pretty solid and square, I will just smooth over some of the rough edges and repaint. The doors will need to be mostly rebuilt, I plan on building a trunk lid and have also started building the frame work for a removable vinyl top.

This Is the first time posting some pictures on the hamb so it may take a few tries.

Feel free to post comments and suggestions, I am braced for the hate mail for what it is now, but I promise the final product to be very hamb friendly.

Thanks Robert

 

Interior

 

Someone started a thread a few days ago asking what the next trend would be. I answered that I hoped hot rodders would start saving the cars that were rat rodded in the last big trend. Glad to see it happening.

 

Sounds like you've matured as a hot rodder. I am glad to see that you are taking the time to redo it right and not just giving up or getting rid of it. Keep us posted, with pics.

 

top started, I'm just using scrap wood to make template so I'm not burning up a lot of money ruining good wood, Carpentry is a new skill for me.

 

I actually read that the outher day, I laughed because I was planning on doing this.

 

Always wanting to make things better, trying new things, taking chances and always willing to learn is real hot rodding. Sounds like you got it. Good luck with it!

 

The body is coming off this weekend and made ready to go to the blasters moday I'll post mor pictures sunday night.
Thanks Robert

 

Good for you man. To tell you the truth, I expected to see a lot worse when I scrolled down. Keep us posted on your progress. Ii look forward to the transformation.

-mikethegreek-

 

how come you got the Pontiac guy on the doors of your Buick powered Chrysler?

 

I think it went with the "theme"....

Good luck on the unratting...

Hopefully those rear tires won't be over the deck lid in the reincarnation?

And It looks like a shorter column, and a more subtle column drop could be in order...

And rounded off frame horns... and probably a few other things, but those are for some reason the first things I noticed..

 

I have seen alot worse built by those who were supposedly professionals. At least you know what needs attention and plan to do it.

 

Robert, I agree with the above quote. You are taking the time , materials and dollars to make your car better. It will soon be a true rod that will be more enjoyable for you. Looking forward to its' rebirth.

 

Nice day out today, I got the body off and stripped, rolled the chassis out and washed off some of the grime, Haven't seen the car like this in a while

 

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You've got a good starting point. As far as rats go, yours was not too heinous, you actually have a few things on there that indicate you are a good fabricator. The engine choice and body choice are great. Good luck with the redo. IMHO, as some other have suggested, get it up in the air so you have at least 5 inches or more to the rocker panels.

 

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I was going to say the same thing as plym49. On the "rat rod" scale, yours is at least an 8. Went to the World of Wheels in KC yesterday - bunch of shitboxes in the "rat rod" section. Felt like I needed a tetanus shot just walking by.

 

Looks better already!! Good luck and welcome.

 

cant wait to see this one come back from the rolling tetnus zone like the engine and chassis

 

Looking forward to more updates.

 

I have always said I can not wait till the next fad sets in and the rat rods are out of style. Then I am going to buy 3-4 of them and tear them down completely. keep some of the minimal cool parts they had and build them the way they shouldve been built!!

Good job and great to see a new project underway.

 

Kinda the same thing I did with my Coupe. I wanted to get rid of all the "Nice Ratrod" comments!!!!
I'd say,get rid of the "Z" in the frame and and it could look pretty good.

 

Are you planning any redo on the chassis to get it up to a more road friendly height?

I'm looking forward to seeing how this one comes out.

 

I want to re do the rear suspention with a four link(wich would have probably been easier to do in the first place) And add about 2 inches in rear ride height, I'f you look closely you can see a set of air shocks in the back(I can almost hear the boo's and hiss's) with those pumped up I could get around our Idaho roads pretty well, So thats the ride hight I will shoot for.
The frame Is probably a little overbuilt but I'm going to use it mostly as is.

 

Looks like a good plan man. Best of luck.

 

I am going to take a hard look at cutting down the amount of "z" to give the cowl a more appropriat height above the grill shell.

By the way if anyone has the lower trim "t" peice of stainless for the bottom of the IH grill I'd sure Like to buy it, If not I'm going to try to make a jig to press one out.

 

i probably wouldnt call it a rat rod looks more like a crusty hot rod. the only major thing i see that it needs is a trunk lid. here while back i told some of my friends i wanted to trade my camaro for a rat rod thinkin i might get a primered unfinished hot rod. haha you should have seen the piles of shit people offered up. i have since changed my definition of rat rod.