Rat Look discussion

[Barry]

ok Ron, so like fake titties (as opposed those rat type below the belt ones ) you think they look good, but you know something ain't right about them......

[Ron&Gill]

ok Ron, so like fake titties (as opposed those rat type below the belt ones ) you think they look good, but you know something ain't right about them......

Haha! Yes, like fake titties... they cost a lot of money too...

The Rat-Look often reminds me of "mutton dressed as lamb" which can be just horrible, but also laviscious if done just right.

I don't entirely dislike it, you know, it's a lot of work and effort and money and someone's taste, just not completely mine. That one at F4R open day with the tennis raquet cable-tied to the roof rack was kinda neat, a lot of thought went into that and I like them on show. It's just not me. What can I say?

It's like some guys don't like the decal on the side of The Razor, (me included, but for a different reason), to each their own.

[MELLO YELLOW]

Confused
You dont like "fake titties", Rat look or mutton dressed as lamb

[Barry]

Aren't they all the same thing - something trying to be what it isn't ?:lol:

[Ron&Gill]

Confused
You dont like "fake titties", Rat look or mutton dressed as lamb

No, I said I kinda like it, but as Barry says, it's trying to be what it isn't. But then, I don't like mutton and I don't like rat, even though I are both... that just leaves the fake titties... numb-numb...

[MELLO YELLOW]

LOL

[vader]

Confused
You dont like "fake titties", Rat look or mutton dressed as lamb

No, I said I kinda like it, but as Barry says, it's trying to be what it isn't. But then, I don't like mutton and I don't like rat, even though I are both... that just leaves the fake titties... numb-numb...

You just had to go make the fake titties numb-numb-numb....

[vader]

I have noticed over the last few weeks that there are quite a few referrals to cars being a "Rat Look" car.

I think its about time this topic gets discussed. If this topic offends anyone, I apologize, its not a dig at you.

I seem to get the impression there are two types of Rats around....
1) a car built specifically to look old with full proper running gear and a rock solid body with surface rust or paint that has been made to look rusty or old
and
2) a POS that is rusting which people refer to as Rat instead of rotten.

[/img]

The differentiation that needs making is the difference between "Rat" and "Rat-Look".

"Rat" IS a POS held together with duct tape and household fittings. It originates from the Ratbike scene from the early 80's as a statement against the new and shiny bikes of our consumerist age. See "shabby chic" in interior decorating from the same era.

"Rat-Look" is a wannabe, or rather a DON'T wannabe. It wants to look like a Rat, but not be one. It is almost the anti-culture of the Rat, as there is loads of dosh spent on the car. It is definitely not a POS, if done right. To me, it's still not right. It's called distressing, like I used to do to my Airfix models, we called it weathering.

I suppose any good car, original or restored, with it's faults and bits of rust is simply on it's way to becoming a Rat (read POS), some faster than others, until it is restored (again) back to original spec, or Cal looker, or Rat-Look, or Nu-Cal, Nu-Rat, whatever. And i suppose it's up to the owner to decide when his original ACVW is a Rat and up to the cops to decide if it's a POS.

Enter RAT DarkSide....

[Tony Z]

No Vader... you have the Rust-side

[vader]

Im gonna start a new look ....

The Rust Bucket Look....

[Hloni]

Im gonna start a new look ....

The Rust Bucket Look....

You indeed will have a following my lord. Ol' Betty might contemplate you looking at her.

[1972]

Would something like this qaulify for Rat?

I saw that car in the ultra vw (i think) and it was painted like that, and it it was then clearcoated to to keep that look. Oh and it was up for sale a while back

Original patina that was clear'd I belive.....I think the pics are on the KCW site?

[dablakmark8]

I saw it on the net at oldvw.com