SgtB's tC - Chalkboard Paint, VGL GFX, etc.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: San Diego, CA
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From: IN
My car has been slowly alternating between 'rat rod' and 'clean import' over the years, and I've always enjoyed the rat rod style more. I think if I go and do the metal lips (and I'll do them in diamond-plate so it looks even rattier) I will definitely go all out. Especially because I think it would be a fun challenge to rat out a car that is usually riced out.
I'm a huge Mad Max fan.
I'm a huge Mad Max fan.
I'll make it look good.And a "rat rod" isn't an import, let alone a Scion tC. And unless you plan on chopping the roof, taking out glass, etc etc it will NEVER be a rat rod.
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Fail, INC
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From: Team Sharpie
Most rat rods appear "unfinished" (whether they actually are or are not), with just the bare essentials to be driven.
The rat rod is the visualization of the idea of function over form. Rat rods are meant to be driven, not shown off. Sometimes the customization will include using spare parts, or parts from another car altogether.
Rat Rod definition: A Rat Rod is a newly developed name for the original hot rod style of the early 1950's. A Rat Rod is usually a vehicle that has had many of it't non-critical parts removed. They are usually finished in primer or paints that are often period correct. They are very often a conglomeration of parts and pieces of different makes, models and after market parts. The term "rat rod" was first used by the high dollar, show cars guys to describe the low-buck, home built drivers. Don't forget the roots of the hobby (streetrods), it was the little guy in a garage on a budget (with help from his friends) that started it all. If you call them HOT RODS, TRADITIONAL RODS, STREETRODS, or RAT RODS they are here to stay and are making a showing at auto related events across the country. These cars are a form or art and expression of their owners and builders.
What you say is "rat rod" (black primer and decals) is what I think of as the "suede" look. I had always considered a "rat rod" as the purposely not finished hot rods. Yeah some have back primer and decals, some are not painted, and have crappy old paint, or rusty, they usually dont sport rims of any sort except hub capless factory wheels. they are chewed up. I think most peoples "finished" hot rods go through some sort of RAT ROD stage before completion.
I actually prefer the rat rod look, over the Foose and Codington built G-Machine$ any day. The guy with rat rod usually has dirt under his nails and any money in his wallet goes for beer and smokes and keeping his ride going.
"I guess I think rat rod means a daily driver that is out of the ordinary and has a certain "owners flair" to the build."
"Bottom line, if you build it yourself, and it follows similar design cues to the traditional "rat", it is in fact, a "rat". The first Hot Rodders were doing the same thing your doing. Moding something you have that you drive to look cool, and sound bad."
I dunno, a quick Googling found these. It seems to me that a "rat rod" doesn't have to be any specific type of vehicle...it's more about the way it's been modified.
Is this xB not a rat rod?
It sure looks the part to me. It's a modern interpretation of the classical rat rod. If it can be done with a 'B then the themes can certainly be applied to a tC.
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From: Team Sharpie
Just painted the calipers black to match the paint better. Next I'm thinkin about making some front and rear... uh, would you call them skirts? Lips? Just going to bolt a sheet a metal on the front and back. Drawing inspiration from this car:
I'll probably paint the metal to match the car though.
I'll probably paint the metal to match the car though.
Oh hell yeah! I see great things coming from you, sir.
