The Ford Rat Rod

Why choose a Ford for your next ratrod project? First go ahead and try to define a Ratrod...ask 10 people "what is a rat rod???"... and you will probably get eleven different answers. Loosely defined it is a car or truck that makes an attempt at looking like an old hot rod of the Thirties or Forties, but is just a little uglier.

"Back to basics" is a bit of an understatement for the typical Ford ratrod. Typical ratrods look unfinished, but that's the look the owner was probably aiming for, and he will probably thank you any comments you make along those lines.

Grey primer seems to be the paint color of choice of ratrodder 's, with an occasional layer of exposed rust to give it a two tone appearance. You won't find too much chrome plating here either. Oddly wide white wall tires seem to make a statement on many Ford Ratrods.

But...typically a Ford Ratrod will be a "go fast" car (or truck). These vehicles are built to be driven, and driven fast! You will find them chopped, channeled, sectioned, with trim shaved off, and fenders discarded.,

Unlike the current Street Rod crowd, Ratrodders are not afraid of getting scratches and dings, they actually wear them as a badge of honor. Older Ford cars and trucks seem to be the choice for ratrods, but we're not sure why. Perhaps its the availability of all those old Fords that makes a Ford Ratrod so popular. Old beater Ford Ratrods seem to be popping up everywhere you look!