Keeping It Ratty

I must be developing an appreciating eye for cars that are totally different from what I’m used to. I say this, because the first custom creation I decided to spotlight on entering the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition hall for the 2015 Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show was this 1929 Ford Model A Sedan based rod.

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Despite being lined up alongside some of the best builds in the country, it instantly stood out to me. Aired out, it looked vicious and full of little character-adding touches that gave it so much presence.

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Little did I know at the time, but the following day it took home the coveted Best Rat Rod award.

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This chopped, notched-frame Ford was built by respected custom shop ‘Arts Body’ in Nagoya, who decided to do something a little different with this project.

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I especially like the use of massive Firestone cheater slicks mounted on deep dish rims at the rear.

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And how about this for a cool detail; the fabric roof cover that latches onto the main wooden frame has a vintage US license plate pattern on the underside to create a really interesting headliner.

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In staying true to the rat nature, inside is minimalistic to say the least; everything is exposed and there’s a big hole for you to get nicely acquainted with the transmission.

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This shot is taken through the open door, but it’s pretty much the same angle the driver has looking out of the windscreen at the three stacks atop the engine.

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And to finish off a creation like this, there’s nothing like a few period correct touches to give it some authenticity. Congrats to the Arts Body guys!

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

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1

I love it! It would look way better with this inside IMO. The contrast of the engine/body would be outstanding.

2

Love the rear wheels. Looks like magnesium? Probably rare, old, expensive, light, hard to maintain... and totally awesome!

3

bluestreaksti pretty sure theyre just new rocket racing wheels. The multispoke front wheels the rocket wheels are based off were usually center lock mounted, unlike the ones on this.

http://www.rocketracingwheels.com/vintage-wheels/c59

4

Tetanus required...

5

Reminds me of the welder up crew rat rod with the 1000hp turbo diesel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOCUFQkZ8e4

6

Please, tel me that you covered that yellow Beetle from the last moonyes show article!

7

I'm pretty sure that I actually saw this car like two or three weeks ago in Sakae, I also thought I had already seen it somewhere ...

8

the metal bit behind the rear tire that resembles fire (IMHO) - that touch is absolutely on point

9

Wheel chock.

10

Rocket brand wheels. Not magnesium. Not rare either. Can buy new for fairly cheep.

11

I thought this fad was getting phased out. There are countless chopped, rusty model a's on bags everywhere you look. I wish someone would build one of these cars with these wild proportions but with nice bodywork and a full interior- THAT would be different. The whole "rat rod' thing is just an excuse to build trendy junk.

12

rats are still a thing?

13

To those griping about the rat rod trend... Rat rods have been around since the 50s. They were originally not so much a design statement as they they were just guys bolting go fast parts on junker cars. It has survived because it continues to evolve.

14

BrandonCurry There's a big difference in hopping up an old car and deliberately building a car to be junk. Don't bother cleaning up the engine, it's the look. Don't bother making complete floors and firewall, or putting in windows, it's the look. It's a shame to see these cars being built like this, when they would rather spend time making fancy wheel chocks and decorative spiders.

15

I think you misunderstand where my comment was coming from. It was more directed at people griping about when will rat rods die. The simple answer is they won't. I agree that taking perfectly good cars and building them to look like junk to fit a certain aesthetic is stupid. I don't like this modern version of rat any more than I like -10 camber on stanced cars. Both take lots of work but in my opinion ruin a perfectly decent car. The modern "rat rods" are by far the worst though. Purposely rusting a late model car to try to gain a look is garbage.
Having said that I love ratty old cars that earned their knocks and are built to enjoy. I'd never create fake rust on a car but I'll also probably never paint my project either. It's earned every scratch, knock, and imperfection. To me that tells a story. That's what rat should always be about.

16

Man I'd love to build a rat rod with my friends one day

17

Love those chocks!

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