Opinions on the "R" word & Subkultures

All,

In my last post, I used the word "Rat" in the title. This has drawn some heated comments from folks. It's like I posted a question like "How many horsepower will I get for putting this 6 inch pipe on my Civic?" on the H.A.M.B.

I have heard these type of cars referred to as many things: rat rods, traditionals, homebiltz, retros, period karz, vintage, etc.

The following is not rhetorical: What is the dividing line between these cars? Since when did the label we put on the car become more important than the art of the build and the joy of the drive?

Look, maybe this is why we're called FNGs. Hell, I was looking for a cross-sampling of opinions, i.e., east coast, west coast, mid-west. Yes, I'm building a traditional rod, all home built, vintage parts, with the exception of a few things like a master cylinder, and probably a wiring harness. However, all the rich assholes with foo-foo rods are going to call my car a "rat rod". Its a fricking label, that's all I'm saying. Or is there some definitive item or facet of a build that defines a rat versus a period car?

My old man has driven one painted car, period. They've always had bondo, bare steel, or best case primer in spots or all over. Hell, that's the mark of a body man that has too many irons in the fire.

This post is sure to get me flamed, maybe even thrown off the H.A.M.B. Shit, maybe because I'm in the midwest, you coastal guys know that shit trickles down slow to us, anyway. Try to be an optimist before you nuke my ass in reply.

Cheers!

 

The only Labels I care about are on my paint cans.






Maybe Germ can explain it better than I can.

 

Glad to see someone here has a sense of humor. Used to be a DuPont man myself, till I smelled some Sherwin Williams.

 

It doesn't fucking matter. Have fun.

BTW, this isn't a very popular opinion.

 

Ratrod has come to signify a rough,unsafe piece of shit like you would see in OSR.

Traditional hotrods ( our new interpetation of them that is) might be in primer, might use parts that streetrodders throw away but they are safe and roadworthy.

See: www.hopupmag.com or just stick around here for a while.

 

it is what it is. who cares what the rich kids say. not everyone is a builder.

 

I definately think "safe" has alot of room for interpretation. I understand the idea of roadworthy vs not (ie can it be driven under normal conditions). But, motorcycles arent neccesarily safe but at no point would i say they arent roadworthy. Im not talkin choppers i just mean in general. I think "rat" simply is meant to categorize the old low budget (see NOT CHEAP... big difference) projects people do when they cant afford to build a car using a catalog. Heres a weird reference but it makes sence; Some people call all electronic music "techno", well theres like 10 kinds or more if u realy are into it etc, but for most its all just techno. Same goes with old rods, ppl see primer and whitewalls and say "ratrod", that doesnt make it wrong, its just a term. We shouldnt argue over a term....shouldnt we be like building something?

 

it's not that it's "important" per se. it's just offensive. Maybe that would be better understood if attempt to define each of what you've listed, using what a lot of folks here should consider accurate definitions.

traditionals: what most folks here appreciate and build. A car ispiried by, or straight out of an earlier period of rodding, ie the late 50s. Primer is an accecptable finish, mostly because there were a lot of primered hotrods running around while guys saved up for paint.

vintage: more or less, see above. I suppose a "vintage" rod would be even more period correct, or perhaps even an unrestored example built way back when.

homebiltz: no fucking clue, but bound to be homo because it's spelled with a Z

period karz: again, spelling shit wrong on purpose is for fags.

rat rods(rodz?): most folks here think of a hunk of rolling shit held together with bailing wire, half the body built from DuraGlas, and maybe a West Coast Chopper sticker for good measure.

Now, I don't know about you, but if someone called one of MY projects a "rat rod" just because what I build is traditional, I'd get offended. The second time, I'd kick thier teeth in.

Here's another non rhetorical question. Why the fuck does this shit keep coming up?? Kick back and browse a while before you get all fired up to post, and you'll be a lot better off.

 

Ditto..... why can't people look before they leap.....

 

Ok, i really dont think you need to kick someones teeth in if they call your car a rat rod, thats a bit much.. I do agree that randomely spelling things with a z is a little retarded tho. I think some of vets around here shouldnt be so up in arms about the term. Yall gotta realize that first, not everyone is offended by it, and 2 dont snap on new guys (and alotta times young guys) for not knowing exactly what to say and not to say. Im still pretty new myself, and i didnt learn or get into this stuff by having people yell at me if i say something wrong. I understand the term bothers some of you, but let it slide. (correct if you must but dont be aggresive about it). Alot of us are just here to learn.

 

Blanket statements like "Rat Rods are rough, unsafe piece of shit", and "Traditional hotrods --- are safe and roadworthy" are both thumbsucking generalities. Like "You're better than me, Your definition is better than Mine, your car is safer than mine?".. "Horse shit!" said the sparrow, "Let's Eat"!

 

Here's another non rhetorical question. Why the fuck does this shit keep coming up?? Kick back and browse a while before you get all fired up to post, and you'll be a lot better off.[/QUOTE]

Maybe because I'm looking for information. I understand everyone has an opinion and that's cool. I think I have an FNG tag under my screen name, bet you had one too. I read plenty of stuff in the rules, but nowhere saw that we couldn't post for information or that the "R" word was off-limits. I honestly believe there is a difference in the definition of "rat rod". Maybe on the H.A.M.B. it is a derogatory term, so, tonite I have learned to use it only in context while on this board. I'd sure rather find out the info through a board, than have you kick my teeth in at a show. Thanks for the input, though, as learning is always a positive.

 

Who is so weak minded and pathetically politically correct as to be offended by the term "Rat rod"? Or a "z" at the end of a word.

Grow up. This is a hobby. If you can't get over labels, go join the KKK or Louis Farrakhan, they've got a shitload of them to REALLY get pissed about.

 

Raise your hand if you think I was serious.

I'm not up in arms about anything, I'm just annoyed that the same dumbass question keeps getting asked over and over, and apparently no one bothers to follow the recommendation that I surely took the time to adhere to, which is read and get a feel for the place before posting. [tounge in cheeck]That rule was designed specifically to keep people from saying "rat rod". [/tounge in cheek]

 

It's "tongue". If you're gonna bitch about "Karz" then you'd better spell your anatomy correctly, mister.

 

Only those with itt'y bitt'y pea-brainz presumez to tell otherz whut t' say. Like if a subject asks an honest question and some old timer hamb'er says, "you can't talk about that", you're supposed to kiss his ass. It'don't fukkin' matter. Enjoy your car, whatever it is. Somebody will label it a Rat-, somebody will label it a Street- and then, lo and behold, somebody with a lot more brains will admire your "Traditional Hot Rod", even if'n itz got a boxed frame!

 

oh hell no, I said "on purpose" We all do it accidentally

 

Rat Rods are basicly a fad to build the crappiest POS you can cobble together that will still run and move.

Nostalgic Hot Rods on the other hand, can (but don't NEED to) be just as "finished" as any BOYD creation, but differ in that they use the early style, equipment and build techniques.

Most of us do our own work but try to do the BEST we can with what we have available, even if it is all junkyard parts.

Much of the difference in the finished product is due to the builder attitude...not the raw materials used.

 

Rat rods are also billet cars with IFS and full fenders that have had the billet rims replaced with red steelies, black paint with flattener, and radial whitewalls stuck on it. Just ask the owners.

It's just a label. So are kikeniggerspickfaggotbeanercommie. Heil Hitler, eh boyZ?

 

Exactly what a FNG needs to here. I aspire to be as traditional as possible, although I'll never be above 90 percent.

Here's another question to spin this thread in a more positive manner. I have read that the 303 4V was factory rated at like 260 ft/lbs of torque. Is that enough to twist the rails on my stock A frame, or should I worry about boxing the rails? I intend to leave the engine stock, unless it fails, and then will only bore for a clean up.