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RATOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGYTOLOGY: : :

BY STEVE THAEMERTY STEVE THAEMERT
B
a
at rodders are known to t rodders are known to
r
recycle, repurpose, and ecycle, repurpose, and
recycle, repurpose, and
often times create
often times create
something from thin
something from thin
R air in order to bring
air in order to bring
their vision to life. The myth
their vision to life. The myth
also exists that a rat rodder
also exists that a rat rodder
won’t buy or incorporate
won’t buy or incorporate
new parts into a build. This of
new parts into a build. This of
course is nonsense. Granted,
course is nonsense. Granted,
there are defi nitely those who
there are defi nitely those who
do go to the extreme to keep their
do go to the extreme to keep their
build as authentic as possible, but this
build as authentic as possible, but this
is far less common than many people may
is far less common than many people may
think. Whether it’s something as simple as
think. Whether it’s something as simple as
brakes or fuel lines – most rat rods are full
brakes or fuel lines – most rat rods are full
And let’s face it – rat rods are more
of new parts. In this special SEMA edition of
of new parts. In this special SEMA edition of And let’s face it – rat rods are more
traditional than people give them credit for.
Ratology, we refl ect on the state of the rat traditional than people give them credit for.
Ratology, we refl ect on the state of the rat
Think about the hot rod scene and where
rod scene and its place in the automotive
rod scene and its place in the automotive Think about the hot rod scene and where
ecosystem. that’s headed… new Camaros? Supercars?
Rust. Patina. Wear and tear that to some Really? Great if you’re into them… but the
is simply corrosion and decay - but to the rat vintage hot rod scene and the rat rod scene
rod enthusiast? This is the soul of the vehicle. are very much in the same boat. There is
It’s story. It’s history. Rat rod detractors a fi ne line between what is considered a
would have us believe that because rat rods rat rod and a traditional hot rod, and many
glorify rust and imperfection, they are also times it comes down to subjective ideology
unsafe, dilapidated junk… which of course is that doesn’t even make sense. What is more
far from the truth. The majority of rat rods of a hot rod… a rat rod, or a 2015 Charger?
do highlight rust and patina, that is a fact – The misnomers out there are many, some
but rat rodders also embrace functionality more ridiculous than others.
and safety. The current rat rod scene has I’ve said it a million times, literally: a
become as much about the drive and truly rat rod is a blue-collar hot rod. But let’s
experiencing the vehicle in a free-spirited not get caught up on the terminology –
way, as it is about the aesthetics. Rat rodders let’s talk about where the rat rod scene
as a whole just want to get out there and is at and how it has brought new life and
have fun, show off what they’ve created, and excitement to vintage cars in general.
enjoy the experience. Because THAT is important. Someone has
44 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-THREE

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