Rat Rods - Should You Build One Or Buy One?

I’ve got to be up front and honest with everyone - I’m not a big fan of rat rods. That shouldn’t suggest I don’t appreciate them or understand the cool factor that goes with the genre, but I view rat rods as art cars; each one is a unique expression of the person - or ‘artist’ - who built it. I can totally dig them in that sense, but when it comes to motoring, I appreciate elegant lines and stout performance over the mad-scientist-meets-redneck presence of a rat rod. Nothing personal to those who love them; I’m just not a fan.

I think it’s because the original rat rods in the ‘40s and ‘50s were genuine motorised Frankensteins. They weren’t designed to look like barely-there barnyard projects, they were barely-there barnyard projects. Builders didn’t have parts or cash to make them better, whereas modern rat rods generally have a fair amount of cash invested to make them look like they don’t have a fair amount of cash invested. Like I said, I get the concept. It just doesn’t really click with me.

And now I’ll contradict myself completely, because this 1929 Ford Model A rat rod for sale in Louisiana does click with me. I’m not falling in love or anything, but I swear the computer actually growled as I came upon this while browsing the U.S. listings on eBay. As I type this article it’s selling for a reserve-not-met price of $8100, with three days left on the auction. Coming from someone who’s not really into rat rods, I’d say that’s a fair price given what little info I have on this particular car.

Those details include a 383 cubic-inch (6.2-litre) V8 with a Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission. The tranny is listed as having a 3000 stall torque converter so I suspect it’s pretty quick off the line. It’s got a bagged rear suspension which certainly gives this rod a properly slammed look, and the seller says it has new wheels and tyres. But since they’re supposed to look old and busted, not really sure that matters much.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know about this obviously custom-built car. It wouldn’t be a Christopher Smith found in the classifieds if I didn’t complain about the listing, so this time I’ll be complaining about the ALL CAPS font used to convey that little bit of info. I suppose it’s informative enough to grab people’s interest, and there is a phone number to call for folks who are serious buyers, but it wouldn’t hurt to share a bit more info. How about the frame? Rear end? A few tidbits on the build perhaps? After all, it’s the build that makes these cars interesting.

I haven’t followed the market for rat rods too closely, but I do know they can be all over the place price-wise. I’ve seen plenty go for under $10,000, while others with a bit more effort beneath the rusty facade nab $50,000 or more. I’m not sure I see this particular rod going past $10,000, and I tell you what, for that price I think this could be all hell kinds of fun. I’d actually smooth up the body some and throw a legitimate coat of paint on it, maybe semi-gloss black or a deep blue. Paint the wheels to match and find a better looking grille. Now we’re talking.

Yeah, that kind of work isn’t what rat rods are about. But you know what? Maybe Frankenstein would’ve been a nicer guy if he’d had a nice suit to wear. The question is, should rat rod enthusiasts forego the temptation to just buy one like this and build their own instead?