Hello, just joined the H.A.M.B. I've always browsed around here for ideas and now decided to finally join. Hope to get some great ideas on here for my projects: a 1961 GMC Pickup and 1979 Olds Cutlass.
Thanks for the welcome! I have one question/concern. Hopefully this is the proper place to post it, so here goes. I noticed that the term "Rat Rod" seems to be forbidden here. I am guilty of using that term loosely until now. I checked out wikipedia's "Rat Rod" entry and I quote: "It is not to be confused with the somewhat closely related "traditional" hot rod, which is an accurate re-creation or period-correct restoration of a hot rod from the same era... The rat rod is the visualization of the idea of function over form. Rat rods are meant to be driven, not shown off. Sometimes the customization will include using spare parts, or parts from another car altogether." This seems to me to be the basis for 'Hot Rods". Now, my project is a 1961 GMC pickup. Right now, it's bone-stock. I plan to do all of the fab myself using old methods, e.g. chop saw, angle & die grinders, stick n' gas welding only (no MIG or TIG or plasma cutters), etc. Steel will be used to fab brackets, etc., no aluminum. Parts will be rattle-canned. Chrome goodies will be used. The body will be painted with flat black paint (no primer as the finish coat). I'll have red-painted steel wheels with chrome centers. For the drivetrain: 283 chevy, 4-speed and 9" rear. It will be built to be driven. It will be also be driven while under contruction, thus giving the appearance of a "Rat Rod". So here's my question: Does my project fall under "Traditional Hot Rod" or "Rat Rod"? Will it be accepted here on the H.A.M.B, or is it just an issue of nomenclature? I want to get this straight since I like this forum as the people seem friendly, very helpful and the tech threads are awesome. Don't want to step on any toes. Please advise, and I appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks!
I don't know if anyone will raise an issue about your truck or not - I doubt and I won't! I'm building a '55 Chevy big window truck bit-by-bit and driving it at the same time because I don't have room for a non-running car in my driveway AND I love driving it on the weekends. Welcome by the way. I don't know where Winnetka is but as my name shows I am in Pasadena and am on Ryan's GarageJournal and the 67-72Chevytrucks.com sub board for '47-'59's. Are you on either of those under another name? Now that you've introduced yourself, how about some pic's of your project?
Winnetka is on the west end of the Valley, in between Reseda & Canoga Park. I'm on GJ under the same handle. I'm still "tooling-up" my garage for my projects. My '61 is still in my parent's garage. My dad and I need to set a date to haul it over. When I get it to my house first thing I'm going to do is take pics of it to post here (of course) and submit them for the Viva Las Vegas car show next year. Yeah that's what I plan to do like your '55; drive it as I work on it! It seems to me like the "R" word is reserved for shoddy-built death traps. That's not me. I'm a Reliability Engineer in the Aerospace industry by profession and there's no way in hell that I'm going to build a death trap and drive it on the highway. So I hope that the "R" word is just an issue of terminology. Thanks for your reply!
Hey welcome! I have read tons of threads on here where someone will use the term rat rod and another member will get pissed and then a 3rd member will tell the other member who cares to shut up. haha. I just love seeing everyones trucks no matter what its called "hot rod" "rat rod". I just think its great people are working on there cars and turning them into an expression of there personality or taste. I cant wait to see your truck. I am thinking about hitting up viva las vegas next year as well. It would be dope to get a bunch of people from LA to meet and cruise together!
Most definitely! I plan to get my '61 over from my dad's garage to mine this Memorial Day Weekend. I've always wanted to be in a Hot Rod caravan to Viva. Looks like it'll be a reality next year! I would recommend booking your hotel NOW since the Orleans is filling up fast. The other hotels supporting the event will probably fill up fast, too!
The Jalopy Journal
