How To Build A Rat Rod - Part 1

Posted on 17th October 2008 by Custom in Uncategorized

Have you ever heard the term “rat rod”?  Well, I assume that you have since you made it to this site, but if you have not you have come to the right place because we are going to do a whole series of posts over the next little while about how you can build your own rat rod.

We all know what a hot rod is….well, a rat rod is basically a less refined version of a hot rod.  Take an old car from the 40’s or 50’s (maybe even as far back as the 30-40’s) and get to work bringing it back to life.

The first thing that you have to have on your list of things to get is your car….the older usually means the less you will pay.  Here are a few great examples from eBay (which I think is the best place to find some old gems):

cadillac--fleetwood-limousine-1953-orig-hot-rat-street-rod-ratrod-project-solid Cadillac : Fleetwood LIMOUSINE 1953 ORIG HOT RAT STREET ROD RATROD PROJECT SOLID
US $8,000.00
End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 16:07:41 PST
Buy it now | Add to watch list
ford-coupe-1932-ford-3-window-coupe-rat-rod-hot-rod-project Ford COUPE 1932 FORD 3 WINDOW COUPE RAT ROD HOT ROD PROJECT
US $10,500.00 (26 Bids)
End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 16:43:55 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
ford--other-pickups-1937-ford-pickup-hot-rat-rod-sbc-project-runs-drives Ford : Other Pickups 1937 FORD PICKUP HOT RAT ROD SBC PROJECT RUNS DRIVES
US $9,100.00 (18 Bids)
End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 17:07:32 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
chevrolet--caprice-1974-caprice-classic-rat-rod-style-driver-project Chevrolet : Caprice 1974 Caprice Classic rat rod style driver/project
US $2,000.00 (10 Bids)
End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 20:35:06 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list
other-makes-roadster-1940-ford-roadster-body-rat-hot-rod-project-32-glass Other Makes roadster 1940 Ford roadster body rat hot rod project 32 glass
US $2,950.00 (12 Bids)
End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 21:00:21 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Checking out eBay Motors and searching for terms like “rat rod project” and similar terms usually finds some pretty cool cars for really good prices.

Get to work looking for a car to work on and enjoy looking at all the different cars that you can find. Next time we will focus on the next thing that you will need for your rat rod. The engine. Until next time!