'53 Chevy Pick-up Rat Rod Lowrider - SOLD!

Very Nice , wish I had the extra funds , I would love to do estimates for my buisness in that ! Good luck on the sale.

Pretty cool, but just don't get the whole patina thing.. that is basically rust right? I still think it would look better painted... but then it looses "Rat" designation..

[size=0.7em]Found this... thought it was worth sharing.. [/size]

[size=3]Rat Rods: The Story [/size]
A rat rod is a style of hot rod or custom car. In most cases, rat rods imitate or exaggerate the early hot rods of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Don’t confuse a rat rod with a “traditional” hot rod, which is an accurate re-creation or period-correct restoration of a hot rod from the same era.
Most rat rods appear unfinished with just the bare essentials to be driven. The rat rod is the visualization of the idea of function over form. Rat rods are not, meant to be shown off. Rat rods are built to drive. Sometimes the customizer will include using spare parts or parts from another type of car altogether.

The typical rat rod is an early 1930s through 1950s coupe or roadster. Early, pre-World War II hot rods often have their fenders, hoods, running boards, and bumpers removed. The bodies are frequently channeled over the frame, and sectioned, or the roofs chopped for a lower profile. Later post-war vehicles are rarely constructed without fenders and are often customized in the fashion of Kustoms, lead sleds, and low riders. Maltese crosses, skulls, and other accessories are often added. Chopped tops, shaved trim, grills, tail lights, and other miscellaneous body parts are swapped between makes and models. Most, if not all, of the work and engineering is done by the owner of the vehicle.

Many rat rods have primer-only paint jobs. Satin /matte black/hot rod black as well as other flat colors are also common. Other finishes may include “natural patina” (the original paint with rust and blemishes intact, appearing worn), a patchwork of original paint and primer, or bare metal with no finish at all in rusty or oiled varieties. Often these cars are unfinished to honor the the anti-restoration slogan that “it’s only original once”. Many rat rods also have free hand pin striping done by the owners with a pin striping brush. Contrary to tastes of
many car builders, rust is often acceptable and appreciated by a rat rodder.
The interiors of some rat rats can be completely finished to bare bones. Mexican blankets and bomber seats form the basis of many rat rod interiors. Most rat rod interiors are designed to be functional without many comforts.

There are disputes over the origin of the term “rat rod”. Some say it first appeared in an article written in Hot Rod Magazine by Gray Baskerville about cars that still sported a coat of primer. Some claim that the first official rat rod was owned by artist Robert Williams who had a ‘32 Ford Roadster that was painted in primer. Hot Rod magazine has since verified this. Although the term likely started out as derogatory or pejorative and is still used in this way by many, members of the subcultures that build and enjoy these cars have adopted the term in a positive light.

Awesome.
Drive it to the Jalopy Showdown drags at Beaver Springs Raceway(in Beaver Springs, PA) on September 29th. Rat Rods/ hot rods/ gasssers running the 1/8th mile, some running the 1/4. This would be right at home and maybe you could find a new home for it. I'll be there Friday-Sunday camping at the far end of the strip at the traps.