Cazalea shares a photographic journey to a Rat Rod Show at Balboa Park, showcasing the unexpected artistry and engineering behind these custom vehicles. The author's narrative captures the essence of a unique automotive subculture, highlighting the creativity involved in transforming disparate car parts into cohesive, visually striking machines. This post offers readers a fascinating look into a world where automotive passion meets unconventional design.
The sun was setting as we left home and headed to Balboa Park
After months of inacitivity, both Citroens were revived, healthy and ready for a night out.
We made it to the park with no problems (tow rope and hazard vests in the boot)
We had only a hint as to what would greet us inside:
We had been invited to the grand opening of the Rat Rod Show - and we had no clue about the extreme level of professionalism and artistry that we were about to see!
BMW fans, look closely, for this is a 328i!
Yes, the carcass of a Chevy Suburban, a few bits from older cars, and the innards of a wrecked BMW were stitched together here, integrated by two madmen and a few cans of flat brown paint.
Proving that German cars make good lowriding rat rods, this VW Bug carried on with the theme.
Almost all of the cars had air bag suspensions so they could be lowered to the ground while parked or cruising slowly. Almost all the cars were driven to the museum exhibit hall, where they will reside for 4 months.
This one was a particularly nice integration of artsy elements. The co-builder, a very nice lady, told us the roof was made of slats of wood from Home Depot which she wove together after soaking them in a bath overnight.
The rear view mirror was my favorite detail
The interior was also tastefully done in astonishing detail. Mind you, this car is a Brand New Build, but looks 100 years old
Of course the shell is a 1931, so the patina has been patinating for awhile
If you are not seated, please sit. If you are sitting, please hold onto your chair. Now proceed slowly and read carefully:
There's Jeff Jones, on the right, talking about his car. A very nice, friendly guy.
Too low? Let me stand up and tower over the car.
Steampunk heaven
How low is this car? Jeff let a stranger wedge himself in to illustrate (note the removeable steering wheel on the roof). I didn't have the courage to say "Me too, me too!"
It was quite amusing watching the guy try to get out.
Air bags raise the rear about 6 inches so Jeff can drive it around. He says he sits on the copper and leather "seat" but isn't opposed to a couch cushion for long drives.
All copper and aluminum, buffed with a pad and clear coated.
Low as a grasshopper
He drilled all the holes with a hand drill and deburred them himself. Most of the 10,000 rivets are solid, bucked from the back.
We moved on to the Cockroach, a seemingly immobile creation (it has a modern 4-banger under the hood). This truck is rusty steel and wood, and came down from San Francisco.
Steering lock is somewhat limited by the front skirts
The builder was a nice clean-cut guy who wore a suit to the dinner.
The show graphics were really spectacular, and the guys who did the artwork AND the printing were in attendance, along with the men and women who built these cars.
A few ladies in appropriate dress were posing here and there - I think they were involved with one of the cars
Nice use for a connecting rod
Ouch!
This one blurs the boundaries between hot rod and rat rod.
A Mad Maxxian view of the future. He started it and flames were popping and spitting across the floor
If you go to the show, and get tired of all the Rat Rods, you can feast your eyes on many other cars, such as this superbly-painted Impala, a Daily Driver!
Thanks for joining me at the Rat Rod Show. Come down and see it if you can.
Cazalea
