Ok so i have a model a tudor sedan. It was given to me as a street rod a few years back. I didnt like the style so i made it in to what i call a hot rod but constantly got " nice rat rod man!"*****. What makes it a rat rod?! I guess it was the primer... or maybe it was the flathead or the 5 speed... I dont know. I was happy with it all but clutch set up i had installed that wasnt working up to par. So the car was torn apart to fix that. Thats where the madness started. My dad never liked the channeled look. so while it was apart he made me an offer I couldnt refuse... he said he would buy me deuce rails, give me a gnarly big block ford FE, a toploader 4 speed and a 9 inch rear with a posi 3rd member.... yes please!! So here goes nothing 60s style here i come! Rails should be here tomorrow or the next day! Here is some before pics ans ill keep updating with my progress.
that aint no rat, very nice car, your new plan sounds sweet too........alot of people not in the know call all model a sedans the dreaded R word, mine gets it all the time, just sittin in the garage unfifnished........i just say yeah, go away....good luck and nice car....
Real nice rig, keep us posted on the progress. The R**-R** term is used very ignorantly by those who view anything that doesnt have billet cup holders, and cruise control, and a $40,000 paint job. Sounds to me your headed down the right road for a traditional we all would be proud to own.
I think he should just lower the grille and call it a day ................Looks traditional the way it is ...........
Dont look Rat to me..one thing to get a better stance would be to get that radiator level with the top of the cowel..that might be whats throwing some into the rat catagory..?/?/? dam Carcrazy ,,beat me to it,,Mr. Quick draw
Didn't anybody tell you to read the rules? The term Rat Rod will get your thread deleted, your car insulted, your name made fun of, and your general intelegence questioned! But seriously dude, that car is sweet like it is, but if youre like the rest of us you can't leave it alone. The new plan sounds sweet too. Go for it!
I agree about the grill i was saving money to get the rad cut down. and i was gonna get some larger rear tires to help the rake too. I want to run 37 ford tail lights instead of the 39 lights. so i filled the horrible holes i cut a couple of years back while im waiting for my rails!
Didn't you read his post? Even though it looked traditional enough, I firmly stand behind the new plans! Sounds killer...and yeah, people are annoying with that RR term. My truck gets it because it doesn't have shiny paint.
I know, I was jolking. Seems everybody gets bent out of shape here over ratrods. I love his car, and am sure it'll be just as cool if not cooler when it's done. My 54 gets the Rat Rod comments too. Did when it was yellow primer, still does in Satin Black. I've learned to smile and tell em I'm still rat-ing it...
Most people have no idea what the difference is. Any car without fenders and primer for paint is a RR. It's not worth your time to explain. You have a great plan working. Keep the progress pics coming. FE, 4-speed, posi, and 32 rails... Nice...!
Heck yes,then take that FE and deuce rails and build a second car! I guess that's not the deal you made with dad ,though.At least you can re-use many of the parts and have some good trading stock left over.
The grille higher than the cowl is definately the mark of a RAT ROD... The tail dragging stance... says rat rod. Tail lights... that you've already fixed, say "rat rod". Wheels and tires... look like Chevy 6 lugers... say rat rod a little bit more than old Ford solids... especially with that front cap. Lastly,,, the bug-eye and a little too low and forward headlights are a little bit Rat Roddy too... but not as bad as the other items. Sam
The wheels are actually 51 ford 16s on the rear and a stockton 15 inch that accepts the 51 cap fronts. nothing chevy on my Ford.
What makes it a "Rat Rod" is that street rodders don't know any better and think they are paying you a compliment. Looks like you are on your way to a monster. I like the concept, and your dad seems alright also.
Its going to get called what ever the person seeing it is going to call it. Like it or not its not your choice. There was a whole post about a custom car owner bemoaning the fact that people kept calling his custom a low rider your going to have to deal with it. It could be worse they could be calling it a DUNE BUGGY. Unless you think thats a step up from a rat rod.
Im really wanting the car to turn out as nice as i can do with my skill level. My biggest inspiration is Brian Bass. He is hands down my favorite builder of all time. His cars leave my speechless.
Sounds like a cool dad you got there. Does he want to adopt a 40 year old? My birthday is just around the corner. LOL I'd say it's not a rat. Just a cool lil rod.
This'll prolly start a***** storm and No offense but some people on here are just plain snobs! i completely agree how lame the rat thing is but thats no reason to bash anyone who uses the term or whatnot... most of em are still into classics and just do with what they can so that they have a "cool car" too. Just have to get em into the better stuff instaed of tearin em down about it... we dont all make 40k + a year like most of you!
I agree completely! When I built this car the first time I was 20 working a***** job and just used what I had. Now that I have a better job and the help of my dad I can finally afford to build the car the way I had always wanted! The cars I hate are the cobbled together unsafe***** piles that scare me they are even on the road! If someone doesn't have the money to buy all the best stuff or a perfect rust free cooupe doesnt change the fact that they like hot rod or the have a nice skill set. Never mind the tat rod***** this car is getting a make over 60s style!
rat rod is unfortunately a term that a lot of unknowing people call any modified old car. my dad gets it all the time, and he has shiny two tone paint, polished wheels, ect. on his 36 chevy sedan. it makes me angry.
Yea R Rod, Roadster and Ford. I had an aquaintence that bought an all original '28 Coupe. He drove it home. Said he bought it because he always wanted a roadster. A fella looked at my Willy's in the drive just before the blizzard. Asked what year Ford it was, I told him it was a '61 Willy's [very politely I might add], he just smiled and said he was going to get himself a Ford one day. Somefolks just don't know what to say so they say what they have heard in an efort to be nice. Well I guess not always the case with the r rod sometimes it is a means to insult you. Doesn't change the fact that I think this old Sedan is headed in a good direction not that there was nything wrong with it to start with.
It's a good looking basis for a 60's style rod. Amazing how many people (even some car guys!) want to call anything that doesn't have nice paint the R word.
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