Topic: Evicted from the show!

[miraclepieco]

Yesterday was a big city-sponsored event, the "Classic Car Lineup." The city closes several main streets downtown and parks hot rods along the curbs. Well, more accurately, street rods.  I got there early and found a good spot. After about an hour, with the event in full swing and thousands of spectators everywhere, a short, fat, slimebag of dubious immigration status, wearing an "Event Staff" shirt arbitrarily decides he wants me to turn my car around to face the other direction. I replied that I'd been there an hour, everyone else was parked the same direction as me, the way he wanted me to park was against the traffic flow, and with all the spectators surrounding the car I wasn't about to move it - especially with little children everywhere and my mail slot rear window offering horrible rear visibility. Well, this little Napoleon evidently thinks the thousands of spectators are there to see HIM. He gets belligerent and gets in my face. Understand that, after limping all the way in there with an overheating car, I'm in a damn foul mood. So I replied something with lots of X-rated expletives and implications on his mother's morality. Needless to say I was kicked out of the show. I got the last laugh: as I was being escorted out by security dozens of teenagers gathered around my car and followed me out, video-phones recording and shouting "Awesome rat rod, dude!" 

Screw these local town-sponsored crap-fests. From now on I only attend events that are organized by car people. Apologies to anyone who is trying to improve the image of rat rods; I've always thought the "Good Guy" image was for old geezer street rodders and that rat rodders should be a little bit outlaw. Today I upheld that image.

[lowboy]

WAY TO GO WOOT WOOT  I would have done the same thing  sometimes these "officials" let there position go to there head A Friend of mine had trouble with one of those types at a carshow he was DJing at.He wasn't even a sponsor as he sometimes does.

[Rubberhead]

I'll be as politically correct as I can when I say - FUCK THAT ASSHOLE...

[oldskool49]

I agree. And that sawed off POS. KARMA

[hotwheels]

Good for you, i would have ended up getting kicked out too....

[Xlarashun]

He's Probably a PRIUS kinda person, Just Sayin!!!

[Tramp307]

Keep this in mind fellow rats, everyday there are more of us, and everyday there are less of them(good guy geezers). It doesn't take a genius to figure out that we as rat rodders are doing more with less, are actually DOING the work, and are becoming a major force to be reckoned with.In short, we won't go away, not even close, so don't hope, don't ask, don't even bother giving dirty looks or the finger cause we are here to stay, doing what these guys did 50-60 years ago but have forgotten what it's all about! I would much rather hang with a bunch of fellow rats helping each other out than standing around with a group more concerned about their insurance premium and whether or not they made the august payment on that shiny new hi boy they financed, bought in part because well, they didn't want to do the work but still wanted to look cool and call themselves street rodders, WHATEVER. The worst part about this type of person is that they will actually go to a show and gladly take credit for, and accept prizes for something they know nothing about! And they call me lowlife!?!?!?!

[hotwheels]

Well said........

[radford46]

That's the way most shows go if they're not specifically friendly to rats. Too many chiefs not enuff Indians.
Speaking of buying them not building them, I've stated I bought mine, but I've got a super mechanic/builder friend that says he likes to go to shows with me because I'm the only owner that will admit to not building it. Some needed improvements I've done,but I bought the basic cool truck as is.
I always tell him I would lie about it but then someone that actually knows something would call me on it.

[miraclepieco]

Speaking of buying them not building them, I've stated I bought mine, but I've got a super mechanic/builder friend that says he likes to go to shows with me because I'm the only owner that will admit to not building it. Some needed improvements I've done,but I bought the basic cool truck as is.

I have no problem with people buying cars.  Real builders know we have to sell the cars we build to finance the next one.

[hotwheels]

I agree, i have no problem with people buying em either or paying to have one built.

[radford46]

Yep,y'all seem to handle it well. Not much bashing on this forum.
Here's what I get a lot of questions about and I just give the builder credit. LS engine with a very visible 'snorkel' but everyone says,wow is that a 348 or a 409? Even the car guys. It's like the snorkel is invisible.

[Vermonter]

I just got back from a ratrod specific swap meet/car show last weekend. I enjoy shows that are specific to the lifestyle, not just the  kind of car you have. It was nothing but hipsters and betties, pinstriping, a burlesque show, a pinup contest, camping, folk art shows, and a ton of PBR. 21 rockabilly bands played while burgers hit the grills and there was even a guy cutting hair out of a suitcase. All held at a gun club. Best time of my life 3rd year in a row.
The "officials" running the show were probably more drunk than any spectator there and would gladly give you a hell ride on there golf carts around the event. Police showed up long enough to say "to hell with this, were out of here".
To hell with the town sponsored car shows. They only do it to bring in cash for the town, they dont give a shit about the people who declare it a lifestyle.
You did the right thing.

[miraclepieco]

Man, you are exactly right! 

[oldskool49]

Yep,y'all seem to handle it well. Not much bashing on this forum.
Here's what I get a lot of questions about and I just give the builder credit. LS engine with a very visible 'snorkel' but everyone says,wow is that a 348 or a 409? Even the car guys. It's like the snorkel is invisible.

That is a good cover up. But how can you not miss the snorkel ?

And one other thing, I will be brief on my short soap box.  Built Not Bought

[Rubberhead]

Yep,y'all seem to handle it well. Not much bashing on this forum.
Here's what I get a lot of questions about and I just give the builder credit. LS engine with a very visible 'snorkel' but everyone says,wow is that a 348 or a 409? Even the car guys. It's like the snorkel is invisible.

That reminds me of a car at the LoneStar Roundup earlier this year:

That's a small block Chevy under those valve covers...

[hotwheels]

I know for me, being a car guy/ collector (mustangs), i got a bit bored going to shows and all the car's looked the same. Yea, a mustang is a mustang, a challenger is a challenger, maybe a different color but in the end, they still look the same. Rat rodding how ever, changed that for me, gave me a chance to see what i call 'art'. When i see a rat rod, not one ever looks identical to the other, the bodies are different, drive trains and all the little things that are added to make a rat rod their own. I love it and enjoy seeing all the different idea's that people have when they build or buy a rat rod. The sky is the limit with what you can do and add to our rat rods. I love the hobby and can only hope others will warm up to what we do and the love we have for our rolling pieces of art.

[oldskool49]

There is a greater variety in Rat's. But, correct me if I am wrong, it seems that there are getting to be a few that are being built that resemble another. Especially one that has been in a magazine.   

[miraclepieco]

There is a greater variety in Rat's. But, correct me if I am wrong, it seems that there are getting to be a few that are being built that resemble another. Especially one that has been in a magazine.   

Yep, what I call "the formula" - Model A sedan, fenderless, chopped, channeled, stepped frame, speed holes, wide whites, SBC, lakes headers, bomber seats, etc etc. In other words, just like mine!     This look was popularized by the Sailor Jerry car (almost 4 million YouTube views!) and has become to rat rodding what the deuce coupe is to street rodding.

As rats have become more popular, some duplication is inevitable. Especially now that fads that once took decades to mature travel instantly around the world via the internet. Whenever someone builds a cool car, others are bound to quickly copy it - why? BECAUSE IT'S COOL!

With this build I wanted that certain look, even if it wasn't unique. I wanted to identify with a niche of cars that I liked the attitude of.  I think it would be cool to form an entire club of cars that looked similar to mine. It's the baddest style on the planet.

Sometimes "unique" can be just ugly and dumb.

[oldskool49]

There is a greater variety in Rat's. But, correct me if I am wrong, it seems that there are getting to be a few that are being built that resemble another. Especially one that has been in a magazine.   

Yep, what I call "the formula" - Model A sedan, fenderless, chopped, channeled, stepped frame, speed holes, wide whites, SBC, lakes headers, bomber seats, etc etc. In other words, just like mine!     This look was popularized by the Sailor Jerry car (almost 4 million YouTube views!) and has become to rat rodding what the deuce coupe is to street rodding.

As rats have become more popular, some duplication is inevitable. Especially now that fads that once took decades to mature travel instantly around the world via the internet. Whenever someone builds a cool car, others are bound to quickly copy it - why? BECAUSE IT'S COOL!

With this build I wanted that certain look, even if it wasn't unique. I wanted to identify with a niche of cars that I liked the attitude of.  I think it would be cool to form an entire club of cars that looked similar to mine. It's the baddest style on the planet.

Sometimes "unique" can be just ugly and dumb.

And what makes it your's, the individuality is the little things that you/are done to the car. To the true lover of all things they will see the little touche's that make it your's. But  the i'll informed, closed minded they never see beyond their closed off world. At this point I am trying to get it where a Model A C-dan owner and I can get together and do the shoot. Why just this 1 ? Because of the little things that separate his from all of the other's.

[Rubberhead]

I know for me, being a car guy/ collector (mustangs), i got a bit bored going to shows and all the car's looked the same. Yea, a mustang is a mustang, a challenger is a challenger, maybe a different color but in the end, they still look the same. Rat rodding how ever, changed that for me, gave me a chance to see what i call 'art'. When i see a rat rod, not one ever looks identical to the other, the bodies are different, drive trains and all the little things that are added to make a rat rod their own. I love it and enjoy seeing all the different idea's that people have when they build or buy a rat rod. The sky is the limit with what you can do and add to our rat rods. I love the hobby and can only hope others will warm up to what we do and the love we have for our rolling pieces of art.

Ditto, it was Mopar muscle cars for me but I completely agree. I don't think that I'll ever own another Mopar muscle car - rat rods have stolen my passion...

[Rubberhead]

There is a greater variety in Rat's. But, correct me if I am wrong, it seems that there are getting to be a few that are being built that resemble another. Especially one that has been in a magazine.   

Yep, what I call "the formula" - Model A sedan, fenderless, chopped, channeled, stepped frame, speed holes, wide whites, SBC, lakes headers, bomber seats, etc etc. In other words, just like mine!     This look was popularized by the Sailor Jerry car (almost 4 million YouTube views!) and has become to rat rodding what the deuce coupe is to street rodding.

As rats have become more popular, some duplication is inevitable. Especially now that fads that once took decades to mature travel instantly around the world via the internet. Whenever someone builds a cool car, others are bound to quickly copy it - why? BECAUSE IT'S COOL!

With this build I wanted that certain look, even if it wasn't unique. I wanted to identify with a niche of cars that I liked the attitude of.  I think it would be cool to form an entire club of cars that looked similar to mine. It's the baddest style on the planet.

Sometimes "unique" can be just ugly and dumb.

I agree, partially because I have a 1930 Model A Sedan as well - go figure...

You mentioned the Sailor Jerry car and I had never heard of it - I thought - and then I looked it up and it turns out to be one of the cars in one of the coolest 'duals' (I guess) that I've seen but I had no idea that it was the car you were talking about. I'd have been pissed if this was may car, but here you go; Rat Rod vs Lamborghini Aventador:

Small | Large
	Small | Large

[miraclepieco]

One of the first rats I ever saw was Gas Monkey's Model A sedan that won the Cannonball Run cross country race. I thought it was unbelievably cool and a real affront to the stuffy automotive establishment. That style is still the quintessential rat rod today.

Slammed Model A sedans may be the most copied rat rod nationwide, but my area is behind the automotive times and I have the only car of that style here. It's  been to just three shows but it's easily the most popular car there because the public watches TV and knows what's cool - even if the local automotive establishment is stuck in a rut with their endless parade of Easter eggs.

Now if I can just get it to run cool...     

[Rubberhead]

I love that car, but good luck finding more than a couple pics of it on the interwwwebs...

Although far from finished, mine is the only one that style in my area too. Even in its under construction state, those who have seen it absolutely love it . There is one other sedan in my area but it sits on top of an S-10 frame and suspension - not my cup of tea...

Did you ever get to try that Spal fan?

[oldskool49]

That was fun to watch. I would have liked to have been the cameraman on that. But what they said about the ride or lack of I can see and agree. I also understand why a lot of rat are trailer-ed the long distance. A friend that  has a 32 trailer-ed it in from KC. Now KC is just under 200 miles, but it is better to transport that way than the risk of driving . I am surprised that the rat was not bagged. But rather that would help get over that drive or not ??

It did give me more of a visual on a feature shoot that I have coming up on a "T". This "T" is a one of. And he is going to give me a ride. So this will be a great adventure.