Now i know these are cool looking vehicles as i have been there,won the trophy,done that.
And yes its easy to grab a piece of poo,slam it,throw some crap on top off a roof rack and have a great looking ride.......
But where have all the nice cars gone?
What happened to nice paint n refurbished vehicles?
I know of a few in the works (minimal few) but thats not enough!
It just seems like the enthusiasm for building a clean ride has dissapeared in favour of taking the "easy" way out.
And i know things are expensive these days but im not talking 40 grand rebuilds here.
This isnt a post to dig at anyone,but merely a question of wonder.....
Would just be nice to start seeing new projects turning up to shows instead of old hacks.
I'll say it again...this is just about "Where have all the nice cars gone"
"O.S.K"
We make it happen!
There around, but time and money is always the problem, i know, i have invested over $15k - 20K and still a long way off, only cause i want it done right not a rush job.
This is my Volkswagen, there are many like it, but this one is mine. Without me my Volkswagen is useless, without my Volkswagen, I am useless.
61 Karmann Ghia 2110cc type1 w Los Panchito's
66 Deluxe Beetle 2270 type 4
10 Subaru WRX Impreza
easy way out may be true but ive just finished travelling the world for four years and the "easy way out" is my only option as im financially dead
I plan to 'rat/hoodride/scruffy'(as you put it) my '55 I've just bought, moreso as a way to get it on the road for a few months and enjoy it before pulling it off the road for a full restification(my cross of resto and modification). But it will merely be a slam job and roll as is, which is a tad bit ratty, but by no means a true rusty rat!
if it makes you feel any better im restoring/customizing my bug in a non-rat style :bounce
Just to clarify it again,
Im not bagging rats/hoodrides,
I just miss seeing all the new rebuilds that used to turn up at shows.
"O.S.K"
We make it happen!
i am, unforunately, waiting for when a rat/hoodride crashes either transiting to a show or on the road.
true 'rat' style, in my opinion is an original look exterior but worn, with sunburn/surface rust/ and the odd story of life ride with new running gear and updated spec underneath (bit like a sleeper but only scrapy looking). it was a cheaper option... repair the mechanics but leave the body, and drive.
but i think that as it is becoming more popular, for those that dont have hte funds to restore they therefore look at the rat scene as an oportunity to ride some scary pieces of shit that really are not road worthy at all, or they take it to extremes that really are unsafe to themselves and other vw members around them.
many rides are done well with attention to being safe sound and still rat style, but other rides are done due to fad (and go extreme) or budget, and of course they provide a cheaper option/result.
you see many dragin their front beam or are structurally not safe due to rust etc.then you have excessive narrowed beams with no approvals. under sized tyres. kinda scarey really, as sure they also dont have enough insurance to protect themselves or anybody else. even more so when mods are not approved and insurance is void.
me personally, i like a good rat as much as a resto/modified. enjoy seeing them and wondering about hte life the car has led. a resto takes that away a little.
i really do like em though and many look a treat, but there are many that i class as more like 'trailor ho's' (oposite to queens) than 'rats' as this is where they belong. only worhty for fun at a VW event and not on the street.
in the end i think they are great and worthy to the scene, but i do agree that some more shineys would be nice as well. as for the ho's lets try and keep them on the trailors or at least respect feloow dubbers and keep well clear when commuting. :thumb
the st george bus... the ultimate 'trailor ho' for sure.:P
[ Edited on 28/2/2007 by twoguns ]
Simply Cruzin'...
I got a cleen driver in the works!
C'mon kids gather round,
there's a new sensation hitting town,
It's moving straight, low to the ground,
it'll pick you up when your feeling down.
my 55 oval will sit on a fully detailed 70's pan. I have welded the shite out of it and it would have been easier to replace and make shinny than it would have to patch all the fenders and then spray it back to the OG pain and try to match it all back so it looks orginal.
I don't like shinny things as I abuse and also I don't conform ;-) not planned like that either just came about ;-)
WANTED kombi drivers side rear corner for a early bay! found after six years lol
WANTED engine lid for early kombi 71
My 54 singlecab is turning out more expensive and more work keeping the original paint...would have been quicker and easier to paint, my 11 window will be painted as the original paint has been rubbed back, will take some work to massage straight, but not much more than the sc...
I would like a nicely restored and painted bus in the shed, but id be too scared to park it anywhere i couldnt see it. At least with my ratty sc i cant remember or tell if the scratch is new or always been there...
Well my bug was rebuilt for $1500 and that was a piece of crap. Now it's a nice looking rebuilt 63 beetle!
[ Edited on 28-2-2007 by 1963 Empi Radar ]
[ Edited on 28-2-2007 by 1963 Empi Radar ]
byronbus wrote:My 54 singlecab is turning out more expensive and more work keeping the original paint...would have been quicker and easier to paint, my 11 window will be painted as the original paint has been rubbed back, will take some work to massage straight, but not much more than the sc...
I would like a nicely restored and painted bus in the shed, but id be too scared to park it anywhere i couldnt see it. At least with my ratty sc i cant remember or tell if the scratch is new or always been there...
Hah Ha good one!
So when is a rat a rat? my 57 has only been welded once in it's life, has all new running gear and motor, new electrics including loom. The only reason I don't want to paint it is because I'd lose the logo's, so is it a rat or just unrestored?
[ Edited on 28-2-07 by flipflopsurfer ]
[ Edited on 28-2-07 by flipflopsurfer ]
byronbus wrote:My 54 singlecab is turning out more expensive and more work keeping the original paint...would have been quicker and easier to paint, my 11 window will be painted as the original paint has been rubbed back, will take some work to massage straight, but not much more than the sc...
I would like a nicely restored and painted bus in the shed, but id be too scared to park it anywhere i couldnt see it. At least with my ratty sc i cant remember or tell if the scratch is new or always been there...
its scarey isnt it, i am driving my first clean car and i hate leaving it anywhere out of site, i just have to inspect the whole car every time i get back to it, was horrified the other day when i found that the mechanic had chipped the bpillar. it is only the 2nd chip on the whole car
😠 but then you do get pleasure from the looks on peoples faces driving around a pristine example of auto history.
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool
flipflopsurfer wrote:So when is a rat a rat? my 57 has only been welded once in it's life, has all new running gear and motor, new electrics including loom. The only reason I don't want to paint it is because I'd lose the logo's, so is it a rat or just unrestored?
[ Edited on 28-2-07 by flipflopsurfer ]
[ Edited on 28-2-07 by flipflopsurfer ]
perfect rat! :thumb:thumb
Simply Cruzin'...
NOOOO, I'll be accused of joining the multitude, (I only like the pretty pictures, well logos) can't it just be a SH**TY SPLITTY?
[ Edited on 28-2-07 by flipflopsurfer ]
I can understand why people like rats. it's far cheaper to build one. you start with a scrappy looking car and it never has to look shiny. I've spent in excess of $30k on a modded car and it's till no where near a show car. And I know what BBCK means too. You get afraid to leave it places. But the rat look is starting to wear thin. I'm guessing, just like restocal and a bunch of other things it will become old hat at some stage.
i feel the attitude of "been there, won the trophy, done that" is missing the point of these cars to begin with.
also i see the opposite, all i seem to see at shows are shiny rebuilds, which is wat a show is all about. if anything the 'rat' scene seems to be in its early days in australia. i am also yet to see a rusted out unroadworthy dub dragging its beam. not in australia anyway.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One man's junk...
byronbus wrote:My 54 singlecab is turning out more expensive and more work keeping the original paint...would have been quicker and easier to paint, my 11 window will be painted as the original paint has been rubbed back, will take some work to massage straight, but not much more than the sc...
I...
it probably could too, depending on the detail in either direction taken, but that is good bruce. cause you are trying to keep the character and the safety and quality of ride. kudos to you for htat, and am sure it will be good to see when done.
[ Edited on 28/2/2007 by twoguns ]
Simply Cruzin'...
i have both a "shiney" and a "scruffy"
not that the "shiney" is a show car
havin' a ball doin my "scruffy" and cost is at about $600 odd(not including accessories i already had) and it's nearly ready for rego
trouble is doing a show car not only hits the hip pocket hard,it can take up to 3 years to do !
i put me "scruffy" together in about a month
another point is what would happen to rusty alberts,bumpers etc they would end up down the tip.
the purists may hate em
but there is plenty who like em and they are still vw's(aussie scruffies don't seem to be rusted out deathtraps we see in other countries)
I don't know about unrestored, but updated vans being cheaper, I reckon I have close to 25k wrapped up in the van and that's looking as it does.
Original cars in original paint should be Ratted and pieces of shit in primer trying to pass themselves off as Rats should be restored.
You cannot recreate original Patina. It is an artform in itself.
Graham.
