I need a rat rod

[Sad, little man]

I think I need a rat rod in my life. The Lotus doesn't really communicate "I don't GAF about your straight laced societal values" quite effectively enough.

(Please note that I'm only about 15% serious about this. But that's still 100% more serious than 0%.)

[Random]

http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/mazda-miata-mx-5-gets-a-rat-rod-treatment-photo-gallery_4.jpg

[Sad, little man]

Hmmm, little too geeky and well put together for me.

My idea would be to take an old coupe and chop the top down to such an obscene level that I have to install a forward facing roof mounted camera on it and pilot it via a live video stream on a dash mounted flatscreen.

[Sad, little man]

Put another way, I want a machine that elicits concerns from my neighbors that property values on my block will suffer merely by my leaving it parked out on the street.

[Kchrpm]

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/v/t1.0-9/599272_640356848119_1314450878_n.jpg?oh=8e22abc1d1 61983ef98dc464db43a212&oe=5628F321

[Sad, little man]

Now we're getting somewhere.

Also, it would be nice if the main headlights were actually fueled by kerosene... Then maybe I'd have a small, non-obtrusive set of electrical lights hidden somewhere on the car for those times I actually had to see at night.

[thesameguy]

You're late to the party by about five years. Five years ago you could have rocked a rat rod and people would have been concerned. Now that rat rods have glossy magazines dedicated to them, the only thing your neighbors will think is that you're a hipster.

[Sad, little man]

Naw, they still work, it just has to look original and not played out.

[thesameguy]

So, like a thing that is unique to you that nobody has seen before?

[Sad, little man]

By your logic, everyone should just stop making paintings or music albums. Because, jeez, those things are so played out at this point.

[thesameguy]

Only if their mission is to communicate "I don't GAF about your straight laced societal values" rather than "this sounds/looks/tastes pretty awesome."

If you want to do something that upsets people, I wouldn't choose a thing that has an airbrushed glossy magazine about it.

Maybe like:

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/images/0015/62/57/15442675_large.jpg

I have not yet seen Fucked Up Tercel Magazine, so you've got time.

Edit: If you do get a fucked up Tercel, I will totally help co-found the enthusiast rag about it with you.

[Random]

Rotary!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7282/8737172218_5d30387aff_b.jpg

[FaultyMario]

I'd personally rather rock a heavily customized (aka steampunk) HP electric roadster.

[Sad, little man]

I'm pretty sure there are any number of interests out there that have cult followings and magazines devoted to them, even glossy or airbrushed magazines, that are still generally considered deviant interests in society. So I don't think your litmus test carries much weight really.

Ironically though, I feel that justifying my interest in something runs completely contrary to not caring how others view it, so I'm not going any further with this tangent of the discussion.

[thesameguy]

ZING.

[TheBenior]

http://www.sharegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/30-rock30-rock-quoteshipstertina-fey.gif

[Kchrpm]

the only thing your neighbors will know is that you're a hipster.

Fixed that for you.

[Rare White Ape]

Those hot rods are too clean.

What's the four-wheeled equivalent of this?

http://www.dieselbike.net/ratbikes/IsleofWhiteRatBike.jpg

[Kchrpm]

http://www.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/rat1_1Y6b_1.jpg

[speedpimp]

Those hot rods are too clean.

What's the four-wheeled equivalent of this?

Trying too hard.

[Sad, little man]

Keith, I've seen photos of that one before. It's one of my favorites.

I think the rat rod equivalent of tucking rim is to have the top of the rear tire above the roofline.

[novicius]

I think I need a rat rod in my life. The Lotus doesn't really communicate "I don't GAF about your straight laced societal values" quite effectively enough.

http://i.imgur.com/CoeAy.jpg

Roots blowers. ITB's and multi-carb setups. Velocity stacks. Zoomie pipes. Welded errata. Rust.

TSG's experiences at Burning Man shouldn't be so easily shunned.

[KillerB]

Put another way, I want a machine that elicits concerns from my neighbors that property values on my block will suffer merely by my leaving it parked out on the street.

You're in Detroit, right? A rustbucket isn't going to do much to lower property values any further.

[KillerB]

Rotary!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7282/8737172218_5d30387aff_b.jpg

I think Factory Five's hot rod kit with a 20B would be ace.

[Sad, little man]

Actually, it's almost the opposite. I'm in a Detroit suburb. The suburbs are generally decent places to live, but people can sometimes be a little sensitive about making sure the riff raff stays out. My neighbor across the street actually once rattled off the fact that my town is 95% white as a selling feature of the place. Bigoted much? :eek: :smh:

[neanderthal]

Just buy yourself a classic you like. Keep the patina if you like.

Rat rods scream "trying too hard."

[Kchrpm]

You know what else screams "trying too hard"?

An orange Lotus Elise, and other examples of hipster-y slm things that I can't remember the details for.

I say do it.

[Godson]

Just buy yourself a classic you like. Keep the patina if you like.

Rat rods scream "trying too hard."

This.

[Rare White Ape]

About the only thing that doesn't scream "trying too hard" is a white Toyota Camry company car.

[Sad, little man]

Pfft, no way, a white Camry is trying way too hard to be normcore.


Anyway, I'm kind of getting sick of all of the demographical bullshit that seems to have to lash itself into everything. If I want a rat rod, I want a rat rod. And if you want to call it hipster, fine. It's Detroit, and we're basically the hipster capital of the midwest. I mean really, deriding me for being a hipster is a bit like going to Nashville and bemoaning that everyone is way too country. Congratulations! You have a vague, general understanding of the culture of a city you've never spent any time in.

[novicius]

Bah, move past the term hipster and instead focus on what you like.

[Godson]

Pfft, no way, a white Camry is trying way too hard to be normcore.


Anyway, I'm kind of getting sick of all of the demographical bullshit that seems to have to lash itself into everything. If I want a rat rod, I want a rat rod. And if you want to call it hipster, fine. It's Detroit, and we're basically the hipster capital of the midwest. I mean really, deriding me for being a hipster is a bit like going to Nashville and bemoaning that everyone is way too country. Congratulations! You have a vague, general understanding of the culture of a city you've never spent any time in.


Just giving you shit. Buy what you like and enjoy it.

[Rare White Ape]

I'm sure that this will cheapen the neighbourhood quite well.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/390/19384674810_f61a074114_o.jpg

[Kchrpm]

I wasn't deriding you by calling you a hipster. It's just what you are, it's not meant as derision. We can all likely be described as part of some major group like that (I encompass many various forms of nerd, for instance).

[Sad, little man]

To be honest guys, mainly that was directed towards tsg. But even then, I don't really care about debating this any further. I just want a rusty, dangerous old car.

[novicius]

Shit, my Bananastang is a rusty, dangerous and LOUD old V8 car! :rawk:

[Random]

I just want a rusty, dangerous old car.

Run a search for cars under a grand in the local craigslist? :lol:

[thesameguy]

WHY WON'T YOU PEOPLE SEE THE INHERENT AWESOMENESS OF A FUCKED UP TERCEL!!!!?????

[thesameguy]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5093691208.html

(there are no '80s Tercels in Michigan)

Old: Check
Rusty: Check
Dangerous: Check
Automatically reduces property values: Check

IT'S SO OBVIOUS.

[novicius]

Not threatening enough. Too small and wimpy.

Maybe a rusted-out Toyota Avalon V8 or old Lexus or something...

[thesameguy]

TBH, I have never once equated any Toyota product with threatening. I can't think of a single ne'er do well stereotype I associate with Toyota. "Oh no, he's going to do my taxes!"

[21Kid]

vroom! http://doubletroublehotrod.com/images/quad018.JPG

[Rare White Ape]

This is what you get for failing to import Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores from Australia.

You don't get shitty old Falcons and Commodires to cheapen the flipping heck out of the place.

One rusty old Commodore can reduce the value of a neighbourhood for blocks.

[thesameguy]

OTOH, we do have lax gun laws, so one thing you can do easily is put a couple dozen bullet holes in something and then park it on the street.

DONE and DONE.

[speedpimp]

I did find a '92 Corolla wagon last week for $650. It was a manual, had 265k miles and the body looked like it had been to hell and back. The perfect car for making your neighbors go "Oh my God, Muffy! I fear that our property values are going to plummet!"

[thesameguy]

ZOMG... I don't know why I didn't think of this before. Wanna mess with the neighbors? Park this outside:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/rvs/5113880285.html

[Kchrpm]

You could combine the Lotus and the rat rod into a single vehicle and get an early Viper.

[MR2 Fan]

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu329/techno9991/mk1_zpsrlmikhc9.jpg

I saw this posted a while ago and decided I wanted to make a steampunk-ish/ratted out version of an MKI MR2 like this....I don't think my ideas are easy to explain so I'll probably have to photoshop it....some old japanese stickers, dark/dull color scheme, metallic fins on the side scoop and in the front bumper...I can see it in my head and it would be awesome.

[Random]

MR2Fan -- The Snowspeeder Pilots Association LeMons car:
https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11665567_800450743386809_7765697315480394883_n.jpg ?oh=9dff357edd7f0a1804b038804318347b&oe=5659C20D

[MR2 Fan]

nice

[Rare White Ape]

Is that a rollcage on the outside?

[Jason]

About the only thing that doesn't scream "trying too hard" is a white Toyota Camry company car.

^.

[Random]

Is that a rollcage on the outside?

Yup. It's one way to get the required helmet clearance to the cage.

[neanderthal]

A 69 Coupe Deville would be bawss.

[MR2 Fan]

http://2p2bboli8d61fqhjiqzb8p1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/rat-rod-slider-600x400.png

http://blog.dupontregistry.com/concept-cars/lamborghini-rat-rod/?speed

[Godson]

Too busy.

[Cam]

Funny thing about non-conformists. They're all alike. :p

In other news:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNtL6W5imfg

[speedpimp]

This is that car making a pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hNJgsy14Rw

[Sad, little man]

Mmmmmm, gnarly.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5088377373.html

[Random]

A couple NorCal options:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5144523673.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00t0t_aE9etlyk1DV_600x450.jpg

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5156928647.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00P0P_2xuqPdYGOXO_600x450.jpg

[Sad, little man]

Also at NorCal prices. But I would say the second one is worth that. Looks well done, but maybe too well done.

I like the possibility of climbing up onto curbs and parking blocks with that truck I posted.

[Random]

The second one seems actively dangerous, with brakes only on the rear axle. Sweet! :up:

[tigeraid]

My buddy Bob's in the middle of this one:

http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1452173_10153489560435043_562012646_n.jpg?oh=7cb94 ad76cfae37c7cf763ee4b2fa067&oe=563B32BF

[Random]

With a tap handle for a shifter, right? Right?!

[Cam]

Nah.

This:

1384

[Kchrpm]

A Tron-themed Rat Rod. That would be amazing.

http://danielsimon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/TronLegacy_DanielSimon_gallery_LightRunner_01.jpg

[Random]

Better get a bulk deal on EL wire! :D

[neanderthal]

I still say just yourself a nice old classic, like a 240Z.

Great examples; my BMW 2002, TSG's Falcon, Yeti's Volvo, etc.

[Kchrpm]

Those are too reasonable, they won't make his boring suburbian neighbors scared of him. His physical appearance is so milquetoast and unassuming, he needs his vehicle to be his "scary, big man" for him.

You know, you could just drive a normal car with Neo-Nazi or gangbanger friends in it. Similar result, less expensive.

[Sad, little man]

Why are you taking shots at my appearance and my character in the middle of a totally unrelated thread Kch?

[Kchrpm]

I'm taking shots at the character you are portraying in this thread that wants to buy a vehicle just to scare your boring suburban neighbors. With a different look or personality, you could scare them without the vehicle.

And I don't know that saying your appearance and character don't make suburbans scared is really "taking shots". I'd guess the same is true for most of the forum members.

Edit: if you mean "scary, big man" vs "sad, little man", well that's just quality comedy riffing on your screenname. Like if someone called me Mister Mxyzptlk.

[thesameguy]

Torn between:

http://rainiernew.wpengine.com/yurts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/01/The_more_you_know_banner.jpg

and

http://www.screeninsults.com/images/dragnet-gutter-mouth-punk.JPG

[Sad, little man]

I'm not sure I fully grasp the circumstances I currently find myself in.

[Kchrpm]

Then just ignore everything I've said and keep looking for rat rods :D The joke has already been explained far too much for any potential humor to remain.

[thesameguy]

http://www.kemah.net/sights/images/rats.jpg

All win.

[Sad, little man]

It's perfect!

[Godson]

:lol:


That's fucking funny

[novicius]

I thought this one looked good on the Book of Faces:

http://gtxforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1396&stc=1

[Sad, little man]

I like the fact that the overall demeanor of this vehicle combined with the fact that one of those cans appears that it may contain gasoline gives the impression that the operator of this machine may be on the way to or from setting fire to someone's house.

[thesameguy]

I think if you get in *right now* to the "farm rod" look you can beat the hipster-y qualities of rat rods, possibly even set yourself up to make some money. Living in the Midwest you probably have reasonable access to a lot of abandoned-in-the-fields farm trucks to scavenge parts from. A chopped COE body on tractor wheels with the engine in the back or something (to give clearance for the body) would blow peoples' minds. Plus, something on tractor tires is definitely more fearsome than painted white walls.

[thesameguy]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/11/96/9a/11969abec95652f1e42078c45d3c03b9.jpg

[thesameguy]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/20/62/b8/2062b837ad13f6a4efa4b01fe0fae2a7.jpg

[Rikadyn]

You could always just make one, out of pretty much any car really...

[Random]

Including ones that don't rust. :D

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/e15/11326523_420917551450030_1287919917_n.jpg

[Kchrpm]

I vote farm rod :up:

[novicius]

Love the wrap on the Mustang. :up:

[Rikadyn]

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZcjpXbMiCtg/maxresdefault.jpg

in case you haven't seen the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcjpXbMiCtg

[Sad, little man]

If I ratted out a piece of farm equipment, it would have to be an old grape harvester. Those things tower over the world, it's terrifying.

Something like this, just remove all the harvesty bits so it's just a freakish tractor.

http://gtxforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1398&d=1439854208

1398

[Sad, little man]

Also, for those of you who say "Well you'd never get that plated," I have an answer for you... I would start the world's smallest winery. We would produce one bottle of wine per year. (It would be comprised largely of some Welch's grape juice with gin in it.) The rat rod grape harvester would be part of the business, and plated as agricultural equipment.

[Kchrpm]

Update: mid-engined, Offenhauser powered, dismemberment guaranteed

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LlGdK0UHc2IgJ8fRwGACLbwHXLeW6eUKFkTgk9vhBbqpclENkx byJc_GhPQIHTKvQqmLJdpjYXpPhQz5qXYZGtc9rZVMrbOUprnJ t1_Z04aCeUvitThSyz08sFP70mhLXamjZqP2sbPDcXL6SMm68D mssT0ab3vNlHGl9D6upkn-gPjxd2VdpJ0Cxsq5Y_P9pm-tWpq-bgbwAhPYyf6KofdaCPa65GI5Z25Dav8phHh1SMpntoppYLf-aLNpcj99HnXuJLgpw6nTp31zD18G_IVggHAmw3YqaO55InOPq6 HhDWQVgkFSzFzT0cfWIZL5jn_t1IancCpI8veCOdtmab61hxXt dIrkuPnltlnz4djT9IOMiOGZXkbzb7afogHPBpXxlToj80onzZ Jzj-pVVWObw-1MD0KIHV7bHBumdz27zdR-wxFSoWK6Q2lYU01PNSNsKN2TEPkR7uFFNtoCVPDPGcFzUU0LtY VyyN6waCapCha2-EGyRl53pTXDv3h-BDhWYM40J9qLbU30Y_M1kRi5YdQQdZZTCYtdKHC8csqS6u-Mf3xkEIik55epLkeC5IcIcA=w1319-h990-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b5cpTXkg_5YrryepXgzZ7yx3Zl6BqUNDR3tB95sITNFJw73Khe lNZz8dE_Tr3377Ob_al7pFNlxF5GQiD0sXsu2KXkYxbPFKGyGM ofFddbg8zWkQ4F-rnCOy4m1JFXTMllJxrn6JVGoT5_MRJVGdOZS_JYv8ssVhHZ7Og Oj4FH1p3g4iOtTchKQeoGJhZwmMcr_HOipH4J4IiRvCBjgB08a _mXI-mhR7PBiXpPXDa_b7vb0W3SmexC4KbMaNCN5pV7CuFwFL_0pNeA 9rEeWj3bstQyTDiVwaAz2du8JfTJCNokKK_cUlGCh1MQJi6KJZ lmAkzu4z34JRCvkOKZ2eXpqbVYJOduXJTm0uMrRW1Ptfx-L97YxPGn5sHgzNIUmEfiHatDUFKT6NcTgDGUETcW1cpiLMS8JG BqgTIEIvaPQQVFZtMbyAT1FOv737GaGGhNx0Trn3iqPC9r9f9b xjEpIXIG5pIOqgkM_JxxQYHsBK7CE7i180sWzxM5YspTqZEFI2 IZwyB-w91wfNWb2TCQZVPj6-ASycdpX6QX0EXEEOzxFFHnyJ9lm4Qi7Otvu4178MWQ=w1319-h990-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/70DC__gg4ALTvtSUkmnMnXDxuVwBh2Ocl6iqzPvSTj-9OUbbXM0yzZ4Db51MHztZ9bBLBCY7Xfi0MtjOmEB6zR214Px7p jwmeiVDQ6R4N-J-8S-_844rQmgCVyIdsVZQt0-YviLUk-Uyq7RAbHE2pyeIRoKkTnpt0AhJUAY_pWUU7PkIvRID0LKsc5yU MxVIQsURJg6ATIfBgMW7WbhXCQKrvNxPR4IiHFjHfzqNPCW-RKKTE1L6wrPUlxgIHNCUqAaJUe6UazbXvAdqhIEaD3d_q5fOzV GiUgCY-5uKmU_HpaMLgMKB0Xn59LDYthFjKwN3iM4UxwRK6bc7b9Q54hM CZtA36GMLwys2wyhjd4OLpAcPCnGLFfXqHuMqmY0cmeYH5ET7r YTyK5EhB_jfr-m_zShl1ZflQ0rkctH_qZZDrTaZR-Kfz4KiPgsTOREaB4pEB_HQEZ7wb7-3uQG_WJgdqhe02iPZD9YjtHzMma0VFmSTdOGS4lofA42qIHW4G e2ZK0Hj67C4fN5rXwu8QDWpKGeZlzm4XiBNKvJuBPB2qNV4jSo TwPJx06DSWBAA8T8j4Q=w1319-h990-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bhOQ4hybxIsztTASOnlrtwizLuY38P9z5YF-N3_G6rrgBjJXs0UVR66o2k0xNZ6dqo56Hg-yOnxvvFp8RqNl2i2nDe6OAxLcXXUcNQx6BOkoQ4nu2b5BWaI3f WzAHQA0Blk4v5bQlhABgmCmV4JPbyuJhHE1GR2OOhh6qAotvi6 2QnJU9TzGiP46o46XuDgbxmp9WZmLNuAjW8L6j6eDIUKINwR8j vmTPBiSJHlhRqKf3jR9oIaGcq3CB17D6VuSeR6_i6XIKMHRyHm M2HvTp_8-GOX1e99ciLNN6kvvB610VOLn_QwSoopy9M2ftDVzdrqxDVPMB2 HoLx1wgeT5alfvkWItl7HUwYYGv1EXoFyOHrcb77w7NbtjvIgl Gsf2lZSpo4Gs1ojIxTiRIYV_p4QrD_FJ3cNDwgpkXF4g3RjXgr G6knkVs4MByK2RBmQ4OTFXcV8Sj1gSDeoBpg1UqHuQ4ZHuQ1ft SMpNfMX2FLHx1CJDZvfDOxcOs9TSm2BZMjuv4S7Ke6UU1FE6o0 yoVipghl7GJnPagEQmtv87ttZOSRthIjiIEzvW6LdNlBjshsuD 9A=w1319-h990-no

[CudaMan]

Fuel tank looks safe.

[Yw-slayer]

Yup, looks fine to me. :up:

[George]

craigslist: Rat rod riding mower - $300 (https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5389655754.html)

http://images.craigslist.org/00T0T_bt2FJmpZ5WP_600x450.jpg

[novicius]

Needs whitewalls and polished half-moon hubcaps. :up:

[pl8ster]

That Offy-powered thing...you don't think the owner uses it for burnouts, do you?