Benefits of Buying Rat Rod Project Cars

There are many benefits of buying rat rod project cars. Car restoration is not just considered a pastime, but an art form, and many people find car restoration to be a very rewarding hobby. And with rat rod cars, the main goal is functionality, not flash, so if your restoration efforts are successful, you will have a drivable car at the end of your project. This article will discuss the many benefits of buying rat rod project cars.

Definition of Rat Rods

Traditional hot rods are built with appearance as the main goal; stylish, eye-catching exteriors that will draw attention. Rat rods were a reaction to hot rods in that the purpose is functionality, not cosmetics. They are built to look like the hot rods of the 40s, 50s and 60s, but with a rustic, unfinished look. Matte paint jobs and rust are very much acceptable. They contain just the bare essentials in order to be functional; they are the ultimate statement of function over form. Interiors are also bare bones, and the seats are often draped with Mexican blankets. They are often built using only spare parts. Now, the term "rat rod" is often used to describe any car that looks unfinished on the outside, but drives well.

Benefits of Auto Restoration Projects

So why embark on rat rod restoration--or any car restoration--as a hobby? As with any hobby, many people do this as a way to pass the time and keep busy. People who have an interest in cars but do not work in the car industry restore cars in their spare time in order to stay involved with something they have a passion for. Sometimes a parent will embark on a car restoration project with their child as a way to spend time together and bond, or to provide a valuable learning experience. And for some people, rat car restoration is a worthwhile hobby because the end result is a functional automobile. An extra added bonus is that if you use only spare parts, you can create your rat rod car for a pretty low price.

Rat Rod Culture

Rat rods are often associated with "tough" and "underground" cultures such as punk rock, biker, greaser, etc. Because rat rods are an answer to the flashy hot rod movement, rat rodders take pride in a grittier image. Some consider rat rods an art form specific to this culture. Hot rodders often do not appreciate rat rodders, and rat rodders often like that.

Rat rod project cars can be a lot of fun and very rewarding for those with an interest in car restoration. Projects like these take a lot of time and dedication, and it is important to educate yourself and know what you are doing before embarking on a project of this scale. If you do decide to buy a rat rod project car, good luck and happy rat rodding.

Related Questions and Answers

According to the rat rod set, rat rod parts are available anywhere you can find the same parts where people turn their cars into a show-stopping, head-turning hot rod. The rat rodder is just putting in parts to make sure that his vehicle still runs and keeps on running. To that end, you can find stuff to keep your rat rod running on eBay, or you can also find it at the Rat Rod shop at Rat Rod Stuff. This is an interesting phenomenon about just how relaxed the American hot rod hobbyist seems to be becoming.

A rat rod vs. hot rod is as if you asked the difference between a 12-meter racing yacht that had go to seed as a South Seas trader, and a sleek beauty whose sole purpose is to win the America's cup. Rat rods are the basic aspect of hot rods. They are the 1932 Model someone may find in a barn that may or may not run, and whose engine has certainly seen better days. Compared to the same '32, whose owner has applied lots of money and care to keep it in great shape. One is slowly aging away, while the other is fighting it valiantly (the hot rod).