Where to start?

Chance · ENNISMORE, ONT

Where to start?

Fordy Acres Car Farm · DORCHESTER, ONT

If you truly want a real "Rat Rod" you're going to need lots of epoxy, various nuts, bolts and screws from Home Depot and a bunch of coat hangers!!!

All kidding aside, it's a pretty wide open question with literally thousands of answers. You must have a picture in your mind of what floats your boat. First thing you'll need to do is to be realistic about what you'll be willing to do yourself and what you'll farm out. The more you can do on your own the cheaper the build will be - just keep in mind: the more you decide to do yourself, the more equipment and supplies you'll need!

Once you have decided on a build style and body type, you'll need to find a suitable body. Be realistic here- you aren't going to trip over a gennie steel '32 3 window for pocket change!!! If all the peices aren't included, think about the logistics of finding the missing puzzle pcs- some guys are going around for years collecting parts before opening the tool box.

For a rookie without alot of experience, my best advice would be to spend a little more for something complete and running. In my opinion, the '38 Chev that was on here recently for $1800(possible $1400) would be an ideal start for you!

Good luck and keep us posted as to what you are looking for- hopefully you'll get lots of great advice from this knowlegable membership!

-- Edited by Fordy Acres Car Farm on Thursday 9th of May 2013 08:22:50 AM

Cat in the Hat · BRANTFORD, ONT

DON"T START OVER YOUR HEAD OR SKILL LEVEL

Figure out where you are in the knowledge department..... somewere between

CALL CAA and Here's the stearing wheel.....I'll build a car to fit it?

For your first .....buy the most complete...change small things...expand to bigger projects

I have seen countless cars hiding in shops because they were bought with great intentions

and the buyer soon realized he was sooooooo far over his head, it gets parked away in the back of a shop

never to the light of day again.

Next...figure out what your good at.....no sense buying an english wheel when you lean towards interiors

Then buy the tools that make your area of knowledge easier to do. I have been building cars for over 30 years

and STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TOOLS

Good luck...you have started in the right direction....asking for help!

-- Edited by Grumpsbodyworks on Thursday 9th of May 2013 09:05:17 AM

-- Edited by Grumpsbodyworks on Thursday 9th of May 2013 09:13:56 AM

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

the best way to answer your question is what do you want in a rat rod? using my build as an example i wanted a more classic look with a long front frame. depending on what you are after will change the level of what you need to do. to some a rat rod is a coat of flat black paint and some red rims, some go to the extreme and chop everything to the point of making the vehicle almost undrivable. it might also be wise not to get into something that will overwhelm you and never get finished

flatblack55delivery · PORT HOPE, ONT

Questions. Are you a builder or driver.Do you have a fun car at this time.I always say buy the most complet car you can afford.We all started with the family sedan or similar that was passed down or some cheap peice of crap in our budget .Add some paint and a cheep set of wheels,or in my case mags on the back and stock on the front till I could afford a set.Your first hobby car is probably not going to be your dream car.Building a ground up car as a first hobby car is in my opinion a very bad idea.Kijiji is ful of cars that guys thought they could build then found out they had neither the skills or money to finish.This can be a very expensive hobby,I have been playing with cars for a very long time and still drive what some consider to be crap cars,but I am not in it for the trophie.I enjoy driving and racing and the people.Buy something clost to the road preferably running and driving make the small changes to make it yours while still driving it.Summer is for driving ,winter is for building.Like I said small changes make it safe,add wheels,maybe some chrome under the hood .Pick something afforadable,32Ford or 57 Chevy rag come later.Buy a Cutless or simmilar style and see weather you even like working on cars .It is really easy to sit on the couch and plan but it is much different when you go out to work on it and the first bolt you turn is so rusty that it snaps.This is a really fun hobby if you pace yourself ,you have to go thru a lot of crap cars till you get the funds or skills to build your dream ,but when you get there it is so worth the trip. Ed

Redneck Rydes · TRENTON, ONT & SOUTH CAROLINA

Go out to all the shows you can,ask questions,take pics,and listen to the guys on this site,flatback and fatstax know their stuff,you will learn as you go.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Go out and buy something done or dam near done and drive it... alot.. Buy the service manual. unless your rich you are going to learn like it or not. few spare parts thrown in the back and some tools will get you home 99% of the time. Allmost forgot pay as much as you can for whatever you buy. It will be cheaper in the long run. Something like this would be a good starter . Just the basics and no more. When looking never use the term rat rod to the seller , you may be ask to leave.

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1938-Chev-Matser-deluxe-4-door-W0QQAdIdZ480830466

DaveM · ONTARIO

I'll agree. Buy something cheap you can drive and enjoy while you learn. Any car can be tweeked on, personalized, modded as you like and as you can. Don't overwelm yourself with a first project that will take years to build and be hard to stay motivated on. As you drive and experience the car scene, you will learn what you like and maybe don't like. This will get you headed in the right direction with mods to your driver, or to eventually a project that you will enjoy the end result.

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

daves got the right idea, heavily modifying something will decrease its chances of seeing the road. i built my current project from the ground up only cause i have a driver and the time to build something like that. even minor mods to your ride can go a long way. ive seen enough people buy a kit body or something way beyond them only to see it never get finished.

IR Mechanik · INGERSOLL, ONT

I agree with DaveM, I'd start with a driver. Once you've found a car and have driven it, start asking and looking around. Find a forum specific to your vehicle. You'll find lots of good ideas and help from others with the same vehicle as you. I'm always on the galaxie forum at fordmuscle and the 67-72 chev pickup forums. From there make a plan (and budget!) of what you want out of the car. A plan you can implement in stages and keep driving is the easiest, that way you don't get overwhelmed and stalled or run way over budget. What you want to do will dictate what tools/equipment you can pick up along the way. Do a bit of homework before you buy. My '68 p/u parts are cheap and very plentiful, lots of performance bolt on upgrades available. my galaxie wagon, not so much.

58Chev · ETOBICOKE, ONT

Grumpsbodyworks wrote:
DON"T START OVER YOUR HEAD OR SKILL LEVEL

I have seen countless cars hiding in shops because they were bought with great intentions

and the buyer soon realized he was sooooooo far over his head, it gets parked away in the back of a shop

never to the light of day again.
Then buy the tools that make your area of knowledge easier to do. I have been building cars for over 30 years

and STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TOOLS

Good luck...you have started in the right direction....asking for help!

All great information here.

Grumpsbodyworks,
Has my wife let you into my garage? wink I wish I have read this kinda stuff BEFORE I bought my 58 Chevy 6 - 7 years ago. evileye

It still sits in my garage unfininshed and untouched in the past 3 - 4 years. I have accumulated a sh!te load of parts for it over the years.
just no skills or time, I have amassed a good collection of tools but as Grumps said, "STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TOOLS"

I did not expect to get this far into my project but it happens.

Chance,
I have been in the boat of trying to sell it in the past and use that money to buy a driver, but when perspective buyers have dropped by to take a look. It's more than they can handle also.

Good Luck with whatever you choose

EDIT:::

This car was almost a driver when I had it shipped to me, drove it into my garage and started to tear into it to fix what needed to get it on the road. (brakes, electrical) Maybe oneday it will hit the road and run safe & legal.

-- Edited by 58Chev on Friday 10th of May 2013 07:11:28 AM

Cat in the Hat · BRANTFORD, ONT

58,

Building a car takes time, knowledge, faucilities......and cash! If your missing one of those items you will end up with a garage full of

unfinished projects. Dreams are not enough !

A mild build will take over 500 hours.....a full blown custom could take thousands.....be prepared!

How much you can do (Skill and Tools) determins cost...the more you have to outsource $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

It is very easy to get way deep and not see an end and end up abandoning your dream car.

It is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar cheaper to buy a finished car and add your personal touches, than to build if you have to outsource.

The 31 coupe im building with Devilish right now is about 1000 hours of labour and only HALF WAY!

BTW 58....I didn't peek in your garage (but would like to see the car) you are no different than thousands of others

Maybe I can stop by one day....and offer suggestions to get you back on track.......love to see that car on the road one day.

INDIAN RIVER, ONT

Would agree with previous posts, buy the best vehicle you can afford and closest to road ready. Something like this plane jane 4dr Chevy.

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-Chevy-Belair-W0QQAdIdZ483382457

Drive it plenty and then find out if you are comfortable doing any of the work on it yourself. If so then start building on your skill set and tool collection.

Kijiji has plenty of ads where the owner has "lost interest" or "no time to finish".

Just my 2*. Don't want to discourage you just trying to be realistic, seen too many jump in way over their heads over the years.

Chance · ENNISMORE, ONT

Thank you guys for all the great advice and ideas. Its given me a lot to think about and re-evaluate.. I'm a dream big kinda guy, and I could see myself getting in over my head easily. I'm at the starting line, thinking about the checkered flag, and not worrying about the race. However, I understand that it wouldn't happen over night, but I like the idea of getting a driver, and then maybe start collecting parts and pieces..and then one mod at a time, make it a Chance Original! :P I guess I just gotta start making an appearance at some swap meets, and shows and just start talking to dudes. Cuz I am truly a newbie at the sport...so I should just start putting some time in...
Would there be any literature, or links, or anything that could help me learn about old cars, and what makes them tick?

Cheers!

58Chev · ETOBICOKE, ONT

Chance wrote:
Would there be any literature, or links, or anything that could help me learn about old cars, and what makes them tick?

Cheers!

Chance,

here is a good place to start.

Chris58 · WATERFORD, ONT

57150, you took the words right outa my mouth. Four doors can make great customs. Anything from the 50's as a 4-door or 2-door sedan. Keep it in the Big Three for ease of parts and help from regular builders. A young guy picked up a running 57 Pontiac 4 door sedan (Canadian car) with a 307 and a powerglide. It won't steal the show but what a cool cruiser!

Like the other posters said, get a runner. My 2 cents regarding tools...when you need a tool, go and buy it...don't borrow and don't buy junk Chinese tools where possible. You'll slowly amass a useable tool collection in no time. And don't try to be Chip Foose or Mr Gene Winfield yet. They started at the bottom too.

Good luck. Ask questions. Get out to shows, cruises and swap meets and absorb all you can.

Chris58

57150 wrote:
Would agree with previous posts, buy the best vehicle you can afford and closest to road ready. Something like this plane jane 4dr Chevy.
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-Chevy-Belair-W0QQAdIdZ483382457
Drive it plenty and then find out if you are comfortable doing any of the work on it yourself. If so then start building on your skill set and tool collection.
Kijiji has plenty of ads where the owner has "lost interest" or "no time to finish".
Just my 2*. Don't want to discourage you just trying to be realistic, seen too many jump in way over their heads over the years.

-- Edited by Chris58 on Monday 13th of May 2013 11:08:03 PM

-- Edited by Chris58 on Tuesday 14th of May 2013 12:08:49 PM

Newagerod · OSHAWA, ONT

I have a 1931 model a pickup rat rod project if your looking pm me (body, frame, doors, hood, dash, grill, grill shell)

Fordy Acres Car Farm · DORCHESTER, ONT

Is your pick up a roadster or closed cab?

Newagerod · OSHAWA, ONT

Roadster but it was a closed cab.