 Traditional Hot Rods, Rat Rods,
Kustoms & Choppers email: theratrodshop@palouse.com |
 Marc VanHarn Custom
Fabricator & Machinist509-878-1279 208-301-0018 cell 115 East Main Street PO Box 300 Palouse , WA 99161 |
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 So,
What is a Rat Rod? Well, that is not quite clear. Seems that the "Rat Rodder" likes hot rods and likes building and driving hot rods, but dislikes the idea of building a "Trailer Queen" (show car too costly or perfect to drive) or a high dollar car that someone with deep pockets would simply pay to have built. The Rat Rodder seems to prefer a car in primer with an unfinished look. The unsophisticated observer like me is tempted to think that this may be just a "sour grapes" attitude. What do you think? If I am wrong send me email and tell me what you think. WDM |
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So, here is a response: Hi... Just wanted to offer an opinion on "rat rods" for you to ponder. Most of us don't even like the term "rat rod", but it is used to describe a type of car that we like. If you look at one of these cars closely, it is usually a copy of what was really popular in the 40's and 50's in California during the birth of the "hot rod" culture. They are actually some of the first hot rods, and while most of us that own one of these have nothing against custom paint, graphics, billet aluminum, digital gauges, air conditioning and thousands of dollars in chrome, we don't think that these things aptly represent the true hot rod. I own one that looks alot like the picture you have of the one in your town...flat black, no fenders and a glorious absence of modern amenities. Just a basic hotrod like the ones that we saw as boys in all of the Hot Rod magazines, and lusted for...... It is a wonderfully simple way to go back to your youth...cruisin' around in a car that is affordable and that you don't have to worry about every teeny little scratch or chip, yet that still turns heads and generates smiles and "thumbs-ups" from people of all ages and sexes. I would not trade mine for any of the finished "trailer queens" that I see........ It just dawned on me that your website may be an older one, but I wanted to respond anyway....and by the way, as a amatuer photographer, I thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful pics of the small town. Truly beautiful.......Have a wonderful day. RICHARD |
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