The history of rats is evolutionary. It's easier to say what a rat is not!

A rat is not a heap of shit!
A rat is not a car built then made crap!
A rat does not have to have flash wheels or tough engine!

Rats per se were originally cars built from the donor material and left over bits from building another car.

Of course there were ratty looking cars around - mostly from quick rough jobs done specifically to lighten, modify or use better components.

Rats have come now to mean cars deliberately built to be "Rats". This is counter to the whole point. It is a kind of perverse version to other build by numbers "looks".

In essence a rat is really a car built on a low budget from existing parts. You scrape together the best of what you can get out of your own stuff or other bits picked up from where ever they can be got and assembled into the best machine you can make fromt he resources you have.

Oh yes... a rat is perfectly a rat even with a flash paint job or even billet (but who would ever want to put that ostentatious shit on their car anyway!).

$2 genuine rat den. Have been in rat for yrs! As to paint tho, did put another coat of $2 gloss black on bonnet again ( was bit too shabby..) A rat can't be made in an instant. Like a fine wine or expensive super mouldy cheese, it takes time to mature. Spray on rust or sanding back is like buying cask wine or a big lump of kraft cheddar. :P To make a delicious meal one needs the best ingreedients. Some are fortunate enough to be able to pick the required bits straight from the paddock!

Now that should be the final and original "TRUE" rat example
an original vehicle found in a shed "with rats " after forgotten for years lightly rusted
by time and pure country moisture itself,
Caressed by morning sun after found
with a rust job that money couldnt buy

Maybe if i get it out of the shed one day i might be able to compete with you Frenzix.
I'm just letting it ripen a little more for now though

[Edited on 9-6-2004 by vw0064]

It probably could come out now, but do you remember the tail lights i sold you. well i remember where they come from now.
Oh well shit happens i spose.

Good to see they are comming to good use to you.

I doubt i will even drag the oval out of the shed for another couple of years unless the owner of where it's keeped moves on.

Affraid you would get court in the act with that one Tim.
You would first have to move the box trailer, then the ski boat, then open the front shed and move the 67 beetle body, then the 67 floorpan, then you would have to open the back doors to the first shed and move the honda, then open the back shed and remove the oval.
Buy the way there is 2 ovals in this shed:P

it'd be worth it for 2 of dem.....