Rat rods, like lowriders and hot rods are also custom cars. A rat rod is essentially a hot rod which imitates or rather exaggerates the hot rods of 40s, 50s, and 60s. Rat rods are made to look "unfinished" with just the bare essentials to be driven… the engines are often exposed and lack seating and safety features. Rat rods are an idea of “function” over “form”, they are meant for just driving and not for showing off. There are plenty of die hard rat rod fans who organize rides and shows… even though they are not made to show off!
Auto enthusiasts would grab every opportunity to show off their ideas and their hand-built beauties to the world. Car owners look around, pick ideas, appreciate creativity and then come out more ideas- design, build, power, livery… There’s no end to car designers’ creativity. A car show to an auto enthusiast is akin to “art show” to an artist.
