Ratrods.....I just don't get it (a tragic before/after)

[Brubaker]

I must confess, it's an old high school classmate, but it still makes me cringe. This AA will be transformed into the artist's conception (pictured). I'm all for creativity and supporting a person's right to do what they wish (within reason). My issue or personal disagreement is with the condition of the 'before' vehicle (which looks to be nice). Seems to me, one can construct a ratrod out of a lesser quality A/AA.
On the other hand, the parts salvaged/not needed of of the truck will certainly find there way to individuals restoring originals.
Not sure exactly where I was going with this thread other than to rant and disagree with someone else's decision. New Years resolution: mind my own business. Happy New Year! by-the-way

[Pickupman]

That's not a AA.

[Brubaker]

I didn't look close enough. Just needed to vent about something.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Looks like about a 32 or 33 Ford V8 truck and it sure looks nice NOW.

What a terrible waste it would be to chop it up. If he can't appreciate what he has now, then he should sell it and buy some scrap to make a rat rod from. He'd also be money ahead, besides saving a beautiful old truck.

[zzlegend]

Never understand why i guy wont start with something like this if he wants to rat rod it. I spotted this not far from where i live.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3421252974.html

[denis4x4]

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I usually scroll right past these rants, but I'm going to make an exception here. First off, someone sold the truck to this guy. I'm going to bet that the rat rodder was the only guy that met the seller's price. I would remind those of you that want to save every Model A out there that the old saying, "cash talks, bullshit walks" is very real.

[rat51flathead]

you will be surprised how many nice cars go for hot rods
there is a guy north of me about 120 miles that take model t cars and part them im talking nices cars nice paint nice inside he sais he make more money that way

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I FOUND my pot stirrin' stick, not a bad lookin' drawing, with a street Kzhaust system & great paint, it could pass off as good lookin' nostalgia '50's hot rod! I would do it WITH fenders, though. Bill W. (How many of us are oooold HOT ROD crazed nuts, hiding behind our stock Model A's, and have built similar stuff, I am & I did one very similar from a '32 BB truck cab, 4" chop & 6" channeled on an "A" chassis)

[CRguy]

Those big trucks don't seem to have a lot of value in stock form, so I don't see it as much of a loss.
I wouldn't call the truck in the drawing a rat rod either. The term rat rod has been used incorrectly to describe a lot of different rods, many of which have nothing ratty about them. I can appreciate most any rod that has been put together safely and has some type of paint on it, not the rusty falling apart bodies with suspension welds that look like bird shit, skulls, cobwebs, and any other non car crap you can hang on one.

Mel

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

I usually scroll right past these rants, but I'm going to make an exception here. First off, someone sold the truck to this guy. I'm going to bet that the rat rodder was the only guy that met the seller's price. I would remind those of you that want to save every Model A out there that the old saying, "cash talks, bullshit walks" is very real.

Dennis,
Is there REALLY B.S. walkin' around this forum somewhere?????? Got my mouse ready, where is the "B.S. Detector" BUTTON? Bill W.

Ryan, Dog here,
Where are you?? Someone said B.S. is floating on this forum!! It may be disguised as "YAK DUNG" Be careful, don't SLIP! Buster T.

[Tom Wesenberg]

From looking at the rod picture, the only part to be used would be the cab, and he can buy a cab for less than the truck value. You just don't see many early V8 trucks, especially that look that good.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

From looking at the rod picture, the only part to be used would be the cab, and he can buy a cab for less than the truck value. You just don't see many early V8 trucks, especially that look that good.

I was thinking the same thing. Look at the wheelbase the artist rendition uses a pickup and the donor truck is not. Like Tom said the only thing is the cab. There is not even a bed on the donor.

This might be a case where it gets started and never finished due to funds.

Since everything would need to replaced except for the cab, it should be easier and less expensive to start with just a cab.

[Detonator]

Your "artist's conception" is an illustration of the Jimmy Shine truck. If your high school buddy can come anywhere close to the quality of this build, he'll have given the old gal a new lease on life. On the other hand, the flatbed appears to have already had a sympathetic restoration -- makin' her ideal for parades and hay rides.

[midgetracer]

I'm probably going to get blasted, but I kinda like the looks of the rod in the picture. I don't see it as unsafe or a rat rod. We should be open minded enough to see beyond only restoration. I like the stock units, but a part of me loves the rods (done in a safe way) that show up. Do I get evicted from the barn now?????

[PetesPonies]

I wish that Craigslist vehicle was close to me . . . . .

[newshirt]

Originally Posted by CRguy

Those big trucks don't seem to have a lot of value in stock form, so I don't see it as much of a loss.

After all, we're just consumers. And nothing has value unless it can be ground up and consumed for our own pleasure.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by midgetracer

I'm probably going to get blasted, but I kinda like the looks of the rod in the picture. I don't see it as unsafe or a rat rod. We should be open minded enough to see beyond only restoration. I like the stock units, but a part of me loves the rods (done in a safe way) that show up. Do I get evicted from the barn now?????

Midget, Dog here, we like you,
NAAAW! You only get this many~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ lashes with a warm NOODLE!! Buster T.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

From looking at the rod picture, the only part to be used would be the cab, and he can buy a cab for less than the truck value. You just don't see many early V8 trucks, especially that look that good.

T.W,
Could be a 4 cyl. It's engine may already reside in someone's "STOCK" restored Model A! Bill W.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Brubaker, you might tell your classmate that the original truck will almost surely get way more attention than another rod. If he doubts that, then direct him to this site and to the "COMMERCIAL VEHICLES" thread. Right now it's by far the most popular thread on this site, with 407 replies and more than 52,000 hits.

A nice old truck like that would be the hit at any show he goes to, and it would also make a good work truck for occasional hauling.

[bykerlad]

stock model A`s are ...well ..a bit boring .. after all we all have them...thousands of them,so what rite do we have to tell him how to build his,its nice to see some creativity ,no macs catalog repo`s just his artistic mind aka picaso and the like..........????