60http://blog.ratrodv8.comWed, 22 Feb 2012 14:26:34 GMTWed, 22 Feb 2012 14:26:34 GMTen oakneck3@optonline.netnohttp://blog.ratrodv8.com/2010/06/23/to-rat-rod-or-not.aspx?ref=rssTommy RatRodV8To Rat Rod or not to Rat Rod is the question everyone is asking at car shows across the country.  Overseas the rat rod craze is in full swing as Europeans have gobbled up any and all of our great American steel they can get their hands on.  I don't think there is any real definition of a rat rod which is what makes some people hesitant on what they want to build to fit it with the crowd.<br /> <br /> To me, a rat rod is like a piece of art in a museum.  What makes one more valuable than the other is up to the creators interpretation.  Have you ever really looked at a picasso?  What was he thinking.  Who would ever buy a painting like that? , but they did, and that is the same theory I use when building and designing rat rods for my self and my customers.   It is all up to you what you and your imagination.   New parts, old parts, home made parts, rusty parts, painted parts what ever you feel like and what ever your budget is are your only limitations.  <br /> <br /> Sometimes it is just as expensive to hunt down vintage parts to make your rat rod unique as it is to buy new parts for a concourse restoration,  but thats what makes the rat rod craze so invinting to more and more people who would never before considered taking a car out to a show that wasn't perfect.<br /> <br /> One of my favorite experiences is parking a real ratty rat rod next to a beautifully restored classic car at a show and watching the owners face as crowds gather around the rat rod and people want their pictures taken with the car, put their kids in it, ask a million questions and generally enjoy the experience.  Most know the guy with the restored classic is still trying to pay of the paint job, and  worried that there might be a rain cloud somewhere out there and if he can make it home to get his precious back into the garage before a rain drop hits it and he will have to spend the next weekend polishing it instead of driving it.<br /> <br /> I love all old ( and some new ) cars,  but for my money:  Rat Rods Rule.http://blog.ratrodv8.com/2010/06/23/to-rat-rod-or-not.aspx#Comments883c4dcf-f635-4fcc-b556-b120e5e3fa7cWed, 23 Jun 2010 17:31:00 GMThttp://blog.ratrodv8.com/2010/06/21/welcome.aspx?ref=rssTommy RatRodV8Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.http://blog.ratrodv8.com/2010/06/21/welcome.aspx#Comments1b573794-fb6c-4ec0-9ca1-e16c3035b270Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:05:40 GMT