wrecker388 Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 The description they give sounds more like a description of a rat rod to me:"It packs a 400 hp diesel out of a Ford F-350, a Dana 80 rear-end, and a look and feel that would make Max Rockatansky feel right at home. This is Mitch Allread's custom fabricated creation and it is, without a doubt, one of the coolest things on the road today. This is a machine that transcends the traditional hot rod formula by breaking down borders and setting its own stage. Whereas most hot-rods are built by custom shops utilizing parts from mail order catalogs, Mitch took a different approach and fabricated just about everything on his ride by hand. Calling this a rat-rod would be an insult - a work of art however... that'd be just fine."
1930fordpickup Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 This is cool ! To me this is a rat rod , just a very good one.
bbowser Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 I see a rat. A very cool one that is well constructed and safe, but a rat nonetheless. Perhaps 'grunge-rod'?
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 It's just semantics, and one man's definition of "rat" is another mans "badass machine / grunge rod". In a lot of peoples minds, the rat-rod term has come to be synonomous with poor engineering, erratic function, questionable craftsmanship, and appearance calculated to shock rather than achieve any kind of aesthetic harmony. My guess is that the owner dislikes the rat-rod label because he has and has applied some knowledge of vehicle dynamics, suspension engineering and skill. It's definitely a cool car, whatever you call it.
Harry P. Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Looks like a rat rod to me. But like Bill said, "your definition may vary." We've gone through the "What is a rat rod?" thing here before. Same with the "What is a muscle car?" thing. And we all know the answer to both: there is no one single answer that everyone agrees on. Never was, never will be.
Jon Cole Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Perhaps there is an emerging awareness that the "rat rod" term is played out. Perhaps the provocateurs of the term have resorted to denying what is obvious to everyone else. I like it. But to deny the "ratty" aspect, that's just ridiculous. Just my 2¢ worth.
Rob Hall Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Rat Rod has come to imply that a build is just a bunch of rusty junk parts slammed together...the builder of this rod views their product as more engineered, more thought out..
Draggon Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 I think if the goofy rollbar, web seats, and the skull were removed, it might defer the "rat" label. That being said, I really dig this. I love the overall look, and it goes to show that just because a rod had "rat-rod" like dimensions, it can still show off incredible engineering talent.
LDO Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Like others said, it's all about how one defines "rat rod". I once saw an early 1930s Tudor Sedan that was lowered so far that the fuel tank wouldn't fit in its normal spot...so it was directly behind the driver's head. I read about a similar car; 4 seats with 4 guys who went to the rod show. It was radically lowered but had no transmission tunnel. The spinning driveshaft was exposed. You can see examples of this kind of thing on hot rod websites in threads about junkers that shouldn't be on the road. The pickup in the OP doesn't meet my definition of "rat rod"; I wouldn't be afraid to ride in it or feel the need to get a tetanus shot before approaching it.
moparmagiclives Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 That's a cool ride, not sure about the ford Dzl though. But if he doesn't like the "rat rod" tag, he went the wrong way about building it. As everyone has said, it's all a personal definition. But build quality aside, it would blend right in at a show parked next to the real rats. Myself, I think that truck is what a rat rod should be "ratical" not "junk", the current trend of open floors and solid mounted axles, well it's just poor craftsman ship, but that's been covered here several times.
jcbigpaw Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 I think as has been mentioned that the term "Rat Rod" has been overused to death. It's time for this whole style of rods to evolve a new terminology to define the different styles within their own culture just like "Hot Rod" really is not a good description.
2002p51 Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Flat paint does not a rat rod make. This thing looks like it's pretty well built and safe and I wouldn't call it a rat rod. I wouldn't call it cool or neat or anything else either and I wouldn't build one like it. But it being butt ugly aside, it ain't no rat!
Tom Geiger Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Hey, he's copying my model! Obviously I like it, and would consider it a ratrod
jbwelda Posted October 21, 2012 Posted October 21, 2012 the guy is on an ego trip but its obvious from the write up anyway. personally i wouldnt call it a rat rod, i would call it something much more to the point...but it would get censored out. basically, i think the guy has more money than sense.
VW Dave Posted October 21, 2012 Posted October 21, 2012 I smell a rat. Like others have said above, it's well done and I like it....but it's a rat rod.
Joe Handley Posted October 21, 2012 Posted October 21, 2012 It's a rat rod to me........but built how a road going machine should be built, not a rolling tetnus trap that might crumble when it hits a Chicago pot hole.
James2 Posted October 21, 2012 Posted October 21, 2012 I think as has been mentioned that the term "Rat Rod" has been overused to death. It's time for this whole style of rods to evolve a new terminology to define the different styles within their own culture just like "Hot Rod" really is not a good description. X2, why not just call them Shiny and Not Shiny Rods. If the description says "Rat" i don't even look any more. That whole term needs to disappear!
CEKPETHO BCE Posted October 21, 2012 Posted October 21, 2012 Rat Rod is considered an insult to many, if not most, hot rodders. That's why. I would be upset if someone called my car a rat rod too, if I had a hot rod.
Fabrux Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 If you want to play semantics, my definition of a 'rat rod' would be one with a 'rat motor', your typical small block Chevy. Since this most definitely doesn't run a SBC, it can't be a rat rod, now can it?
MachinistMark Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Small blocks are mouses. Mice? Big blocks are rats
Joe Handley Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Small blocks are mouses. Mice? Big blocks are rats I thought they were boat anchors.............................
Craig Irwin Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 If you don't want people calling your car a rat rod don't build something that looks like a rat rod.
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