So I was out and about today running errands and saw a T-Bucket rat rod and began brainstorming...
Since I have a lot of free time on my hands and a friend who owns a junk yard loaded with everything from T buckets and A Trucks to 50 Mercs and late 60s lincolns, I have decided that maybe I should built myself a Rat Rod or a lead sled...something low and ratty and black and sinister and badass and plain awesome...
I think I will head up there tomorrow and see what he has that I can pick up dirt cheap and drag back home to fill my hours.
I like the idea of a late 60s Lincoln Continental with suicide doors...or a SERIOUSLY chopped and slammed 50 Merc spewing fire from the lake pipes...but there is something visceral...almost animal like about the T-Bucket Rat Rods...
The key to this project is going to be cheap...and so ugly it's just damned cool...
I am all quivery now!
[popcorn]
My pops builds street rods
I have wanted a '40 Ford Coupe Deluxe since I was a wee lad
but no rat rod
I hope to one day do something similar. The rattier the better.
somehow, I don't see any of what you mention to be "cheap"....I could be wrong, but with classic car values and parts being what they are for things like that from what I've seen...it just doesn't seem to go hand in hand...
now, if you were to find a cheap Renault Fuego and put a real motor and electrical system into it and rat it out...that'd be foookin cool!...I;d bet you could find someone to pay you to take one of those...or maybe perhaps a Yugo and put a 'Busa motor in it!
frame alone for a T-bucket will run you 10 to 15 K
I want a GMC Syclone
There's quite a few neato rat rods in my area. Some with way cool body mods - but left unpainted and bare for maximum patina. [thumbsup]
rust rods pain me to my core
I think you missed the key here..."A friend who owns a junkyard"...
He inherited it from his dad who inherited it from his dad. They were both packrats. Lonnie on the otherhand is not a packrat but cant bring himself to crush the vintage steel he has laying around.
Some of the more obscure...
Ford Fairlane 500 Police Interceptor
69 Cougar XR7
4 (Thats right 4) 64 T-Bolts...real T-Bolts
2 63 Fairlane 2 door sedans (want one of these but he knows what they are worth)
several 62-64 Impalas including his dad's pride and joy 64 SS 409 100% original with 28,700 miles on the clock and sitting in it's own climate controlled room
The list is pretty long and impressive. The stuff that is worth something he won't get off of but the ratty 50 merc or the 3 69 continentals that are in rough shape or the various other collections of things deeper into the yard are all free or damned cheap to friends.
All he really cares about is the stuff that has sentimental value and the parts cars/trucks for his rebuilder business.
The 50 Merc I was looking at he told me $850...not a horrible price at all.
Quote from: Mother on May 21, 2010, 12:52:10 PM
rust rods pain me to my core
[thumbsup] I don't mind an old rod with some patina or "character". But only when its actually a whole, thought out, semi-well put together car. This new trend of throwing a bunch of random crap together with the intent of making it ugly (and 99% of the time, unsafe) really chaps my ass.
A late 60`s Continental was always on the top of my list. I used to have a '63 Impala and I still miss it.
30's rat pickups are the way to go
Quote from: 1KDS on May 21, 2010, 05:19:19 PM
30's rat pickups are the way to go
There's a nice 'n ratty (but solid and straight) 37 Dodge P/U sitting outside near my buddy's dentist office.
I have some ideas for that one...
[evil] [evil] [evil]
vw is the way to go
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/2360932415_bc5d05efee.jpg)
(http://ekhatch.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/rat-rod-vw-06.jpg)
Quote from: bobspapa on May 22, 2010, 06:12:37 AM
vw is the way to go
(http://ekhatch.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/rat-rod-vw-06.jpg)
So that's what happened to my old Rabbit. ;D
^^^ Hey Joel I dunno how I feel about the Rabbit (big plus for the small block Chrysler tho!) but that bug is friggin' AWESOME!!
[thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [bacon] [bacon] [bacon]
man..... if I owned a junkard and knew how to weld [laugh]
Quote from: bobspapa on May 22, 2010, 06:24:13 AM
man..... if I owned a junkard and knew how to weld [laugh]
Go buy a junkyard...
I got welders
Quote from: bobspapa on May 22, 2010, 06:12:37 AM
vw is the way to go
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/2360932415_bc5d05efee.jpg)
[thumbsup]
Quote from: 1KDS on May 21, 2010, 05:19:19 PM
30's rat pickups are the way to go
Saw this one at a land speed record meet last year.
(https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4629912804_16d32def27_b.jpg)
(https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4629312185_118e767541_b.jpg)
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/4629311751_f1da14e32b_b.jpg)
Here's a closer look at the shifter knob... the make the beast with two backsing distal end of a human femur.
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/4629914518_fa16220a8c_b.jpg)
And another built by the same guy.
(https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4629312681_3d5e0e7dee_b.jpg)
Rust Rods are to street rods as grunge is to music
Quote from: Mother on May 22, 2010, 02:30:40 PM
Rust Rods are to street rods as grunge is to music
You'd cry if you saw my bike then.
I'd proudly drive one of those too.
Quote from: lethe on May 22, 2010, 02:33:36 PM
You'd cry if you saw my bike then.
I'd proudly drive one of those too.
pics please
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/rat.jpg)
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/ShowTell-Brads30FordRatRod-002.jpg)
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/Jays_Rat_Rod_small.jpg)
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/Ratrods.jpg)
Quote from: kopfjäger on May 22, 2010, 03:53:05 PM
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/rat.jpg)
That's what I'm talking about
Quote from: Mother on May 21, 2010, 12:52:10 PM
rust rods pain me to my core
I feel the same way about darks... :-\
Quote from: ducpainter on May 23, 2010, 03:38:18 AM
I feel the same way about darks... :-\
I comfortable in my hypocrisy
I love primer and matte rat bikes
Quote from: kopfjäger on May 22, 2010, 03:53:05 PM
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/Jays_Rat_Rod_small.jpg)
Well excecuted and far from rat.
Even better when they put the bed on it.
These are cool
(http://www.jims59.com/RatRodsBarnFinds/images/Rochester%2007%20Rat%20rod%20truck%20rt.jpg)
(http://hollywoodstatus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JesseJames.1954Chevrolet.RatRod-550x330.jpg)
These are not cool
(http://www.ratrodauctions.com/1929-ford-featured-rear.jpg)
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/TennesseeZ/GOODGUYS%20in%20the%20HEARTLAND/GoodGuys07-04-08013.jpg)
Mother, I think you're missing the point here. [roll]
Quote from: trouble on May 23, 2010, 07:35:08 AM
Mother, I think you're missing the point here. [roll]
probably
but don't worry
it will happen again
Me thinks I have hit the motherlode...
SO I was talking with my friend Tim who is also friends with Lonnie...went to HS with him grew up together etc...and he was telling me about a 37 Dodge pickup that is hiding way back in the back of the yard surrounded by tire piles and stuff.
I gave Lonnie a call and started talking to him about it...
Turns out it is indeed a 37 Dodge but the twist in the plot is the engine...a Buick 215 V8.
I think I am going to head up there tomorrow and go digging to see if I can find this thing.
I have matte black and beer keg fuel tank visions running through my head...
Quote from: ZLTFUL on May 23, 2010, 09:55:44 AM
Me thinks I have hit the motherlode...
SO I was talking with my friend Tim who is also friends with Lonnie...went to HS with him grew up together etc...and he was telling me about a 37 Dodge pickup that is hiding way back in the back of the yard surrounded by tire piles and stuff.
I gave Lonnie a call and started talking to him about it...
Turns out it is indeed a 37 Dodge but the twist in the plot is the engine...a Buick 215 V8.
I think I am going to head up there tomorrow and go digging to see if I can find this thing.
I have matte black and beer keg fuel tank visions running through my head...
215 Buick is an all aluminum engine block and heads!
[thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
I just went from 6 to 12 o'clock
go rescue that thing!
Before I do ;D
Call it the Rat Rover as if I recall correctly weren't Land/Range Rovers using variations of that motor until just fairly recently?
'37 dodge pickup...
(http://www.remarkablecars.com/main/dodge/1937-dodge-rat-rod-truck-1-1b.jpg)
indeed. Land rover bought the Buick 215 motor way back when. The Rover 3.5,3.9.4.0,4.2 and 4.6 variations were all based on that motor. Good solid motors but parts are expensive but readily available.
The best source for high perf Rover motors is Rover North out of Vermont, or at least they used to be. There was at one point a big inch Rover motor that spat out 400+ ponies from what I recall.
BGB
Apparently Mickey Thompson also used them in a couple of Indy cars back in the day...
They were also found in MGB-GTs and Triumph TR8s as well.
And don't worry Mother...my ideas are a little more roddy and a little less ratty than that. hehe.
Please post a "before" picture when you find it. I want to see what it looks like before you pull it out of the yard and start working on it.
So, of all the pics posted... I can see the 'Rat' Rods and the 'Hot' Rods (more finished vehicles). But, there are stylistic differences as well...
The Rat cars tend to be really slammed with heavily cut and altered lines. The more traditional Hot Rods tend to be less altered and (obviously) have more traditional lines...
So, where does this one stand then?!?
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3945075557_e2470df471.jpg)
Solidly in the Rat column. [thumbsup]
I just HAD to keep clicking.....
Just HAD to do it.
www.volksrods.com (http://www.volksrods.com)
(http://www.volksrods.com/gallery/data/500/xFrontSide.jpg)
Old Bugs are so cheap here in the SW... [roll]
top car is a hot rat rod.It is too finished to be a ratrod, but too chopped to be a hot rod. Its really cool. I would love to take a ride in that...........
Hey Z
I mentioned to my pops about the magical junkyard
he asked if you had any pics...eyes all aglow
he loves old cars like man loves boobs
Quote from: Duck-Stew on May 24, 2010, 05:26:29 AM
I just HAD to keep clicking.....
Just HAD to do it.
www.volksrods.com (http://www.volksrods.com)
(http://www.volksrods.com/gallery/data/500/xFrontSide.jpg)
Old Bugs are so cheap here in the SW... [roll]
my vans faster than your bug [laugh]
(http://www.volksrods.com/gallery/data/500/Picture_169.jpg)
Yeah... But in good 'ol CA, you could barely get a plate on the bug and HELL NO on the van.
Here in NM... Either one, no problem! ;D
Quote from: bobspapa on May 24, 2010, 12:00:05 PM
my vans faster than your bug [laugh]
(http://www.volksrods.com/gallery/data/500/Picture_169.jpg)
I'm thinking that body may not be the most efficient choice. [laugh]
Just add more nitrous oxide and it doesn't matter. ;D
Quote from: lethe on May 24, 2010, 02:06:51 PM
I'm thinking that body may not be the most efficient choice. [laugh]
Freight train :D
Quote from: Duck-Stew on May 24, 2010, 02:19:03 PM
Just add more nitrous oxide nitro and it doesn't matter. ;D
Fixed. [evil]
great, now i wanna build one.. lol..
Quote from: cokey on May 24, 2010, 07:13:38 PM
great, now i wanna build one.. lol..
No kidding huh
I went and talked to my pops this morning about street rods
I really really want one now
damn you Z
;D
'40 ford Coupe Deluxe...40 Willys...I need to be paid more
I have an inexplicable lust for Gassers. Now that has been rekindled...and I have no extra $ or a garage to do anything in... [roll]
Mother, I will shoot tons of pics while I am up there this week. He lives about 45 minutes away so I don't go up there too often...
Quote from: Duck-Stew on May 25, 2010, 12:27:53 AM
I have an inexplicable lust for Gassers. Now that has been rekindled...and I have no extra $ or a garage to do anything in... [roll]
Hey stew, here's some Austin and Anglia (http://gassermadness.com/anglias/anglia.htm)crack
Might as well double the dose (http://www.austinworks.com/gallery.html#TOP)
Quote from: ZLTFUL on May 25, 2010, 03:09:26 AM
Mother, I will shoot tons of pics while I am up there this week. He lives about 45 minutes away so I don't go up there too often...
Nice, looking forward to them.
I'm in full envy mode
bawww... I hate this thread.
You see, I don't have these things in abundance:
Time
Money
Skill
Why didn't I take shop class when I was in high school?
I've got a neighbor friend who is a body guy, but he is getting up in age and doesn't do much to his old unfinished 47 olds any more. I need a rich Yoda to learn from.
(https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4642890917_7c082295c4_o.jpg)
Took this pic just today.
I've got more from the '07 Pomona Roadster show....
I'm really wanting to build one of these now. Build a rat pickumup truck. Haul the bike to the track and stuff. ;D
(http://thekucars.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/37-ford-pickup-13.jpg)
More pics of the 37 above
http://thekucars.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/37-ford-rat-rod/ (http://thekucars.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/37-ford-rat-rod/)
Quote from: Ratfink749 on May 21, 2010, 01:38:14 PM
[thumbsup] I don't mind an old rod with some patina or "character". But only when its actually a whole, thought out, semi-well put together car. This new trend of throwing a bunch of random crap together with the intent of making it ugly (and 99% of the time, unsafe) really chaps my ass.
I could not agree with anyone more.
i've seen lots of silly automotive trends, this is one I cannot wait for it to die (almost makes me miss underglow and LED washer nozzles [laugh] )
they don't have to be boyd coddington perfect, but if your going to put your time and money into a car, don't purposely make it a piece of shit. there are plenty of half done dream cars that are in that stage.
on another note, new cars with rusted hoods? why, why, why, why! when I graduated VW school, I could have taken a job on the east coast for about twice as much as I got to come back here.... but I couldn't do it, I could not imagine my car getting rust.. plus I'm not a big fan of cold weather.
Feel like getting one of my cars crashed up and doing a rat transformation..
Quote from: 1KDS on May 26, 2010, 03:30:46 PM
(http://thekucars.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/37-ford-pickup-13.jpg)
Oh goddamn. [evil]
What's RIGHT with these pics?!?
(http://gassermadness.com/visitorscars/murguia/maurader2.jpg)
(http://gassermadness.com/visitorscars/cawley/Cometcycloneaxlejj4.jpg)
(http://gassermadness.com/visitorscars/walt_65Nova/100_0108.JPG)
(http://gassermadness.com/visitorscars/huskey/000_0262.JPG)
Beware of Stu... He's got...the...GASSER MADNESS!
This is my pops back in '71
I found his pic on that site I linked
It's trippy finding out that my pops had an entire life before I was born
(http://www.austinworks.com/gas-timm.jpg)
Quote from: Duck-Stew on May 26, 2010, 08:36:16 PM
What's RIGHT with these pics?!?
Um,
everything really. [evil]
Straight axles rule!!!!
Quote from: Mother on May 26, 2010, 09:03:26 PM
This is my pops back in '71
I found his pic on that site I linked
It's trippy finding out that my pops had an entire life before I was born
(http://www.austinworks.com/gas-timm.jpg)
DUDE..... that's just awesome.
BTW, I think I've found
which gasser to build:
(http://static.racingjunk.com/1/ui/3/73/17022733-479-1941-Studebaker-Champion-Coupe-Gasser-Pr.jpg)
Stuart Baker's Studebaker Gasser Coupe... BTW, it's a 41 Champion Coupe
40-41 were good year cars to make gassers out of.. no doubt about that! Sure there's the ChevyII's Falcons, shoeBoxes and so many others, but the 40/41 Ford or Willy's really just make a gasser look "right"
Dude, that's a Stude. ;D
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/0807sr_08_z1951_henry_j_gasserturtl.jpg)
Now see?!? I would have *NO* problem using that (^^^) to go grocery shopping. [evil]
Quote from: Duck-Stew on May 27, 2010, 08:15:38 PM
Now see?!? I would have *NO* problem using that (^^^) to go grocery shopping. [evil]
The Henry will go get em. [evil]
Derrick Nowe's Wheelstanding Henry J Gasser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdSq89I1S4A#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
If I could, I would love to have a shoebox or a studebaker truck. One of each would be the ultimate. Guess I'll just keep dreaming. :-\
This little piece of awesomeness was on eBay about a month or so ago, and I was so moved I had to save a couple of pics:
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/falcon1.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/falcon2.jpg)
Had a blown 514CI Ford, all the stuff to get the groceries. [evil]
And then to the gas station.
Blown 514 would really drop some torque :D
Quote from: Speedbag on May 28, 2010, 02:34:36 AM
This little piece of awesomeness was on eBay about a month or so ago, and I was so moved I had to save a couple of pics:
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/falcon1.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/falcon2.jpg)
Had a blown 514CI Ford, all the stuff to get the groceries. [evil]
What'd it go for?
As I recall it was in the mid-20s with a day or so to go, and the auction ended. Must have gotten a nice offer.
My bad, apparently it had a 532 (see fenders)....all I remembered was it was 500+. 514, 532, it's all good. :)
Quote from: Duck-Stew on May 27, 2010, 07:45:26 PM
Dude, that's a Stude. ;D
Although I had *no* idea what it was, I was just professing my lust for the Ford and Willy's of the time. [thumbsup] Never got far enough into Studebakers to pick them out of a crowd. (except for the later models..)
Quote from: Ratfink749 on May 29, 2010, 01:01:39 PM
Although I had *no* idea what it was, I was just professing my lust for the Ford and Willy's of the time. [thumbsup] Never got far enough into Studebakers to pick them out of a crowd. (except for the later models..)
I only learnt that a week ago, so no worries W. [thumbsup]
Someone PLEASE explain to me the point of jacking up the front end to install a straight axle....????
Weight transfer & pregnant dogin' wheel-stands... >:)
+1
Puts more weight on the rear axle for rockin launches and the above mentioned wheel stands
[evil]