| The term rat rod is a new phrase that seems to have | | | | a pre-1949 American vehicle which has been finished |
| made it's way into American culture as a result of a | | | | to look like it was fabricated by a 1940's hot rod |
| multitude of classic car reality shows such as | | | | enthusiast. Body paint is usually absent, or at most, |
| American Hot Rod. To help you understand what I am | | | | primer or flat black finish. There is little or no chrome |
| talking about, let me offer you a definition of this car | | | | and the interior is left unfinished.Most people agree on |
| type as well as other cars which have excited our | | | | a more general definition. I would consider any |
| fascination with the American automobile. The term rat | | | | well-used looking American car or truck, except |
| rod is a phrase being thrown around quite a bit on | | | | mini-vans (yuck). The only foreign cars I would include |
| classic car message boards and on eBay. Rat rod just | | | | are mid-1970's and before VW Bugs and older |
| happens to be a term used to describe a type of hot | | | | Micro-Bus (Chariot Of The Dead Head). Rice burners |
| rod and is one of the most frequently searched terms | | | | (Japanese cars) need not apply.Street RodAccording |
| at eBay Motors. Well then, you ask me, "What exactly | | | | to the nice folks at SEMA, a street rod is an altered |
| is a rat rod?" To enlighten you, let me offer a definition | | | | vehicle manufactured before 1949 or manufactured |
| of a this and other vehicle types classified as hot | | | | after 1949 and altered to resemble a 1948, or before, |
| rods.Hot RodA hot rod is defined by purists as a | | | | car or truck. In both cases, the street rod has been |
| pre-1949 car or truck which has been modified in such | | | | altered from it's original design or has a body shell |
| a way to use modern parts. The body is painted and | | | | fabricated of non-original materials.Finally, please keep |
| the interior would be fully finished. An abundance of | | | | in mind these are not hard and fast labels -they are |
| chrome fixtures and big tires, is the norm. Most people, | | | | labels for hard and fast cars. If you want to call that |
| on the other hand, tend to agree with a more general | | | | 85 Camry a Rat Rod, no one is stopping you. It's all |
| definition. Any car or truck built to go fast, or look fast, | | | | about enjoying America's favorite obsession with the |
| regardless of it's aesthetic appeal, is a hot rod. All of | | | | car, rat rod, hot rod, or whatever you wish to call it. |
| the cars I collect, despite their differences, are all hot | | | | Now go out there and have some fun!! |
| rods. Rat RodA rat rod is considered by purists to be | | | | |