Quote:
pro-240c wrote:
"rat rods" are very different from "grass roots" rodding of which you speak - even though both may involve holes in the floor to see the "grass roots"....
seeing a 22 "T" with rusted chassis rails, 4 wheel cable operated drum brakes, rust hols in the doors so i can see the driver's sock colours, crossply front tyres on wire rims and oh-so-horrid original steering with the only major mods being a 350hp 351C, a C4 and drop spindles makes me cringe - and it should make everyone else out the worried to even see that sh1t driving next to them. it's not only exceptionally dangerous to have a rusted chassis, but a rusted chassis that was orignially designed for a flathead fourpot making 22hp now has a 350hp+ engine in it.
grass roots rodding is getting a repro chassis with rack and pinion steering and disc front brakes, a cheap body (glass or steel) and having some fun with a low buck engine combo. my dad built something similar out of a 35 chev using a 253 and a torana front end. cost him about 10k on the road i think.
THAT'S budget rodding - not driving an assembled scrap metal yard and calling it a "hotrod".
Here in NSW all registered cars have to meet certain safety criteria, the vehicle you describe would not get a pink slip so would not be on the road any more than a rusted out Datsun 1000 with a worn out steering box, original brakes and an SR20 turbo under the bonnet would be.
I think the "disturbing trend of rat rodding" you are describing should properly be called "overpowered under braked deathtrapping" and there are many enthusiasts guilty of it throughout the car world, not just the rat rod scene.
Transfer
