The term "Rat Rod" can be considered to be a traditional street rod that was built by its owner not to be mistaken with a Hot Rod which is an accurate restoration of a vehicle from the same area. While the term Rat Rod started off as a derogatory reference to the low-budget attempt to build a street rod or hot rod, it was this term that gives its distinction from the anti-yuppie street rodder. Rat Rods are nothing new, in fact the youth of the 1940's and 50's were building Rat Rods as daily drivers; from highboy Fords to a '50s Buick or Mercury's each part is bolted, welded or hammered to together by its owner with great pride.

A rat rod is not made to look pretty, in fact it is intentionally made to look a little rough and mean. Most rat rods or painted flat black or gray and have an "unfinished" or "work-in-progress" look. It is not uncommon to see a Rat Rod bearing its original paint color with patches of rust or exposed metal. Other finishes can include hand-painted pin-stripping as made famous by Von Dutch who was a major influence in the customizing of vehicles in the 1950s up to today.

In addition to the exterior appearance, often times Rat Rods are pieced together using spare parts from a variety of other makes and models of a vehicle. Generally, rat rods derive from early 20's, 30's and 40's vehicles. The body is generally missing hoods, fenders and bumpers while the body is channeled over the frame giving it a lower profile. Vehicles from the 50's & 60's that are converted into Rat Rods are often seen with the top chopped (A roof that's had sections removed from the pillars and welded back on in a lower position) and customized into Leadsleds, Low Riders or Kustoms.

Rat Rods have become a form of expression for their owners and can truly be considered a work of art. They are made simply to be driven with owners taking pride in their "hand-built" accomplishment.