Rat Rods

[64Rustin]

Where did this term originate? Why was this term applied to hot rods? Is this a term that the billet people created?

I ask these questions because I am writing an article for my model car newsletter and would like to include the full spectrum of thoughts and facts. The first time I remember this term being used was on a model car magazine. It's a term that you rarely find on the various websites here on the HAMB. To me, these so called "rat rods" are simply hot rods and pre-date the term "street rod". I appreciate any help you can provide.

[Skate Fink]

I heard the term "Rat Bikes" years ago to describe bikes that were just hung together and the piss run out of them. Could be a cross over?

[Bigcheese327]

I too suspect that the term was stolen from the bike scene. My Dad usta build choppers and mentioned a couple of bikes hung together from leftovers using hardware grade fasteners and such and he called 'em rat bikes. The term ceased to be derogatory at some point however, and hence... "death rods"

PS He didn't build the rat bikes, he saw them.

[TagMan]

I think it started in 1961 when I pulled into my new girl's driveway and her Dad told me that there was no way in hell his daughter would get into that ratty looking thing!!
His daughter & I have been married 38 years now and she loves riding in my still ratty looking rides!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[du$ty]

my car is a RATT rod....because metal never dies.

[BobbedT]

I was just looking through an old issue of American Rodder - Dec 88, and theres a letter in there titled "Rat Rodders Unite" which is about Jakes 28 Tub.

This is the first time I heard the phrase, which I don't think caught on until the late 90's with everyone else. Anyone hear of it earlier???

[greaseball]

Oh christ-
Here we go...

From what I understand the "term" gained popularity when one of the shifters members popularized the phrase,
descibing the clubs cars...?

And the REASON it isn't found on the HAMB is because NOW it
has negative connation (SP?),
And most members don't consider there cars to be pieces of shit-

There's cars I call STREETRODS,
There's cars I call TRADITIONAL RODS,
There's cars I call RAT RODS
and there's cars I call DEATH RODS-

They are all different,
And I make sure not to mix them up,
But thats just ME