Page 76 - Issue 30

Downshifting WITH GEOFF JOHNSON

rusted Even if it were rusted in place, I just can’t see rat rodder should defend their sheet metal the

Last but not least, the one automotive fad a
how a spoiler looks good on a rat.
A rat rod does not need an overdone
most from is the sticker. Street machines of the
body clad interiors. Yes, your spotless hot rod liquid going into their vehicle. I am cool with a
interior. Where the ’60s brought us the
‘70s followed the example drag and track cars
set by giving a shout-out to every part, tool and
spoiler, the ’70s ushered in excessively
couple mentions in your car’s quarter windows
or channeled lowrider needs an interior to
or in the corner of the back window of your
match your exterior, but just don’t overdo it. I
think vans and minitruckin’ brought some of
truck. Some of the worst offenders of this decal
front-wheel-drive four banger has more logos
Thinking about wall-to-wall shag carpet
than paint, maybe you have a problem. The fact
lenty of automotive fads were compact twelve-volt AM/FM models they the worst examples for rodders to learn from. frenzy are the current crop of tuners. If your
or layers of denim from floor to headliner
entertaining in their day and some sell at fleet stores. If it will work bolted to gives me the shakes. What still If your front- that I prefer a certain brand torque
even helped your car look better or go the fender of the old tractor you swiped your amazes me is how simulated wheel-drive wrench is something I see no value
faster. So, does that mean they could radiator grill shell from, it will work for your sheep’s wool was ever thought in advertising to the world; the
help improve your rat? Maybe and maybe not. rat rod. They have their own antenna and to be a cool thing to plant your four banger same goes for my favorite brand of
has more logos
First, rodders need to follow this simple project one water/snow proof speaker built in. Hey, butt on. On the other hand, I do wheel bearings or cold beverages.
building creed: if you use your own hard working you already have stereo sound from your twin want more than a milk crate held than paint, So, if it isn’t a Rat Rod Magazine
hands to build it, the effort will show for itself. pipes out back, what more do you need? in place with a tie down strap. maybe you have sticker, put it on
You don’t need to dress it up to get attention. I hope I’m not alone on this: a rat rod Something nice, something your tool box
And second, so far I have never seen these does not need a spoiler. Muscle cars of tasteful, something simple. a problem. instead.
automotive artifacts fit on a cool rat. I get out to that era deserved one. Even fine examples
lots of shows in Minnesota but not much beyond. of modern muscle can have one that looks
It is possible that examples of these exist out like it belongs. But for rats (and maybe
there waiting to prove me wrong. My mind isn’t everything else), I’m not so sure. This is
completely rusted in place on this, but you’ll have still a fad that just won’t die. Don’t believe
to work hard to try to change it. me? Take a walk through your high school
A rat rod does not need a killer radio with a parking lot. Wings, wings, and more
pair of subwoofer speakers. Yes, I was guilty of wings. Big bi-level, whale tails
wanting this so bad when I was in high school that don’t belong on
that I bought a set of fifteen inch subs to jam in anything can be found
the back seat of my daily driver (a ‘67 Fairlane). bolted, riveted, and
I picked up some cheap amps and a spool of even glued to trunk
rope-thick speaker wire. Thankfully I never cut lids. This is too
up my car to install them, never caused any many examples
permanent hearing loss that I am aware of, and of bad
never destroyed the speakers themselves trying automotive
to show off (they now serve home theater duty). taste.
Furthermore, flip-up screens with GPS navigation
firing surround sound from all directions are
counter intuitive to the rat rodding way. The only Geoff Johnson
radio I feel comfortable installing today are those geoff@ratrodmagazine.com

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