Not A Rat

[Lyle Willits]

I saw a REAL Latham blower on a rod a couple months ago. I had NEVER seen a real one before. It was on a hemi, so I was inspired. This will be a well built, realistic, glossy painted rod. It is NOT a rat rod.

Just a mock up. '41 Chevy cab channeled over a '32 Ford frame. (sounds weird but it works with very few modifications.) Shortened bed with plain sheet plastic floor. Rear axle moved back and front frame crossmember moved forward slightly for cooling fan clearance.

Modelhaus slicks, '41 Chevy wheels, Bare Metal Foil trim rings.

Revell Hemi from '32 Ford 5-window. Valve covers dull coated for aluminum look. Pulleys from BOB DUDEK. Headers from Reps & Mins. Latham intake was cut from integral Lincoln heads from '25 T kit and fitted to the Hemi. All linkage and fuel lines will be added after body is in place.

Fuel tank is a shortened and cut down Bic lighter (unfortunately, my wife still smokes). It will be painted aluminum.

Grille shell built up and modified from a Revell '36 Ford kit.

BOB DUDEK aluminum dropped axle and leaf spring assy.

That's it for now.

[Matt LeBlanc]

[Peter Lombardo]

Lyle, this really looks sharp. The Bic lighter gas tank is a nice touch. The wheels and tires are perfect for this one. You sure are the king of this era's rods. You nail them every time. Surely this will look great when done.

[Lyle Willits]

it's good to see something from you Lyle! not hanging out over on the TRaK i think i've missed some of your builds.

keep us posted

Dave - you haven't missed anything. I haven't built anything since early June.

[raymanz]

GREAT lookin piece,Lyle. Thanks for giving me a use for those old lighters I kept! You,ve made me wanna p/u another 41 chevy kit. Good Job!-I eagerly await seeing the finished piece.

[Danno]

Looking great, Lyle! Keep it comin'!

It's good to see you on the board again, too.

[exesivefire]

love where this is going.

It's nice to see something different

[Rob Z]

This looks like a fun one... Always love to see the Latham in something other than a roadster...

[Modelmartin]

It is NOT a rat rod.

Hooray! Rat rods are for those who can't handle paint!

[Dragline]

Period perfect Lyle...

This is how knowing your subject allows you to build righteous rods from various sources.

As always Lyle.

NAILED!

Bob

[Foxer]

I smell a rat.

[Dr. Cranky]

I like it already. Can't wait to see it dressed and ready for the dance!

[dwc43]

Looks good so far. Really love the detail in the rear tires. Just one thing though, you have them on the wrong side. See the arrow at the top of the whitewall?

[RTK434]

Very cool build Lyle. I've seen a rat rod with a Latham on a hemi at a few shows around PA and MD over the past year. Maybe the same car that inspired your build. Look forward to seeing more. i love this period of street rods and you now how to build them!

[Nate]

This is gonna be awesome!

P.S. I love those headers that you mastered for Norm!

Edited November 4, 2010 by Nate

[Lyle Willits]

Looks good so far. Really love the detail in the rear tires. Just one thing though, you have them on the wrong side. See the arrow at the top of the whitewall?

Yes I see the arrow. This is simply a mock up. There is no wheel on the other side/

[Lyle Willits]

Love it, Lyle! Do you have a color in mind at this point?

Royal Blue along with the red accessories.. Red & white interior.

[AzTom]

Looking great! No offense to the Ratties but I'm happy to see it shiny.

AzTom

[Chuck Most]

I tried something similar a few years back- cut down '41 Chev with a blown Chrysler. (And it's painted in Ford colors, too!)

Can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[Guest Johnny]

Looking good so far Lyle!!!! But now, you know the rules: If you build an "old school" rod, it has to be a rat according to the current mode of thinking!! After all, if it doesn't have beer cans for the intakes, rust holes in the floorboard, lawn chairs for seats & sit so low that it scrapes a dime on the road as it passes over it, it's not "authentic"!!!

That is about the truth today Mark! Heard a kid (well he's 28 but that is a kid to me) that went to school with my twin boys comment to an old guy that has had his 32 Ford Coupe since he was a teenager which was just about before I was born, that he almost had the ratrod thing down but it is still too clean looking!

Well being the old biker/hotrodder he was he kind of picked the kid up by his jacket collar and told him to hit the pavement before he popped his head like a zit!

Just thought about it, I didn't see him out and around in his rod this summer! I'll have to check and see if he is still around and ok! Hope so! He is one of the few guys left that still has his car from back in the day! Most have passed on!

[Raul_Perez]

Looking good, Lyle!!

I really like the aluminum dropped front axle!!

Later,

[Sixties Sam]

Lookin' good, Lyle! That will be a great rod! The Bic lighter fuel tank is genius! I just threw one away, but dug it out of the waste can when I read your post! I might borrow (steal?) your idea if that's OK with you.

Sam

[AzTom]

My brother had a 37 Chevy pickup with a Hemi back in the early 60's. Although it looked like today's rat rod I don't remember using that term back in the day.

AzTom

[Joker]

Great Build

Love the engine and front axle

thanks for posting

James