Page 41 - Issue 49
P. 41
Since 2010 when the fi rst issue rolled off the press, Rat Rod
Magazine has pushed one basic concept: Build it, drive
it, and enjoy it. Now, we all enjoy things differently. Some
of us want to park our rides, fi nd some shade, pull up a
chair, and chill. Others want to tear up asphalt and tires
and wreak havoc. Yet others are all about the long drives,
scenic cruises, and long-haul adventures. All of these
things can be amazing and enjoyable, and ultimately epic.
This issue and the following feature is a multi-faceted
showcase that captures two of our favorite rat rod attributes:
the budget-minded, home-built, low-buck resourcefulness that
rat rodding is known for – and the undying appreciation for
the road and actually driving these machines.
Early in the magazine’s existence the perception of rat
rodding was skewed. Outsiders and detractors saw rat rods
as “junk” and “undrivable.” Multiple tours and cruises and
thousands of builds later – public perception has completely
changed. Today rat rods are known more as drivers, and
the home-built mentality is respected more than ripped.
Detractors will always exist, but rat rod culture has truly
evolved from what was considered a “fad” into its own
signifi cant part of the automotive world.
THAT my friends is pretty awesome.
On these next pages you’re going to see a lot of Build-Off
vehicles, Tour participants, and just downright dependable rat
rods. Whether they’re here because they are the epitome of
resourcefulness, or because they’ve logged more miles than a
greyhound – we raise our glasses to these outstanding examples
of the rat rod spirit.
The following vehicles are in this feature for the way they were built,
how much they are driven, or both. Because there are SO MANY
rat rods that fi t into these two categories, it would be impossible
to showcase them all – we have barely scratched the surface.
That being said, we welcome your thoughts and feedback:
info@ratrodmagazine.com
RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 41
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