Art vs. History

[Old Henry]

Just to establish that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, here are two of the most expensive sculptures in the world:

La Grue, that sold for $19,193,000.00



Walking man that sold for $104,327,000.00



See any resemblance between these and "Rat Rods"?

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Should be titled ' History vs. History' .

Or, "The Broad Spectrum of Art". The Ford designers that created the aesthetic beauty of the original Fords were also "artists" and, when each new model came out, it was hoped that at least some customers would call it a "Work of Art". I think each of the original models was such and that, rather than recreating it, I have just restored the 1947 version of the piece of art.

So, each vehicle is a combination of art and history.

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

Just to establish that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, here are two of the most expensive sculptures in the world:

La Grue, that sold for $19,193,000.00



Walking man that sold for $104,327,000.00



See any resemblance between these and "Rat Rods"?

Yes, I do see a resemblance, as each is an interpretation from the artists. Weather building a Custom car, street rod, rat rod or fashioning a sculpture from ones "minds eye", they are all individual expressions. Restoring a car to its original condition is commendable however, in my opinion, it lacks imagination and completely sanitizes any individualism, to set it apart, it would be like Picasso taking a photo of a nude, instead of expressing it on canvas in his own way. We all know that the automotive aftermarket grew out of the desire to set your car apart from others and make your own statement. Art is everywhere and in everything, just as beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

[Torchie]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Henry, That is why I don't go to car shows anymore. They are full of scrap heaps like that abortion you had to park next too. "Rat Rods" are for people who can't afford even some kind of a paint job. Now a traditional hot rod is something I like to look at. A Rat Rod, that's the biggest load of crap ever contrived.

I normaly don't weigh in on the Rat rod vs hot rod vs restored but oh well....
The term Rat rod just like many things in our culture has become overused and cliche'd
For any one that thinks that all Rat Rods are just junk thrown together with crappy welds and not enough money to paint, I would suggest visiting some of the RR sites out there. Most of these builders make their own chassis. The quality of the welding and workmanship is very high. Many are running very sophisticated front and rear suspensions. Many Fabricate their own parts and use very interesting engines such as Diesels and Propane fueled V-8.
And most of them start off sheet metal that most restorers would not haul home for scrap.
The fact that they prefer to not paint their cars should not be mistaken as a lack of ability to paint their cars.
Of course their will always be the ones that look like cartoons but that too is a personal choice.
We all have a reason why we like/restore/hot rod/ rat rod/ old cars. We all want something different than what everybody in this cookie cutter world has. I for one aplaud that
Now I'll get off the soap box......
Torchie.

[russcc]

To each his own. Henry that is an awesome paint job. Is that maroon ? I can't tell from the photo. If so, what did Ford call it. Thank you. Your travel posts are unsurpassed.

[Brian]

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"I don’t know much about history, and I wouldn’t give a nickel for all the history in the world. It means nothing to me. History is more or less bunk. It's tradition. We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present and the only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history we make today." the REAL old Henry!

[Jeff/Illinois]

That thing doesn't even look safe to operate on the highway. I've seen plenty of these built by somebody who had no business doing this.

A certified journeyman- welder is always interesting to listen to as they examine these 'builds'!!!!!!

[V8COOPMAN]

Here's some well-engineered rat rod "art" to consider, as it hopefully steers AROUND you and your family out on the road. DD

[Gary in La.]

I think TORCHIE said it best!

[cmbrucew]

DD
Best use of a chinese end wrench I've ever seen.
Still would not trust it.
Bruce

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by russcc

To each his own. Henry that is an awesome paint job. Is that maroon ? I can't tell from the photo. If so, what did Ford call it. Thank you. Your travel posts are unsurpassed.

I told MAACO that painted it to match the original Monsoon Maroon color and this is what I got. It is very good paint as far as I'm concernced, especially for the price (but what do I know) but looks many different colors in different lights from chocolate brown, to maroon, to eggplant, to black depending on the light and time of day.

P.S. Thanks for mentioning the travel posts. I'll have a new one next week of driving "The Million Dollar Highway", an All American Road in Colorado.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

That thing doesn't even look safe to operate on the highway. I've seen plenty of these built by somebody who had no business doing this.

A certified journeyman- welder is always interesting to listen to as they examine these 'builds'!!!!!!

I haven't seen a lot of rat rods and most do look like junk thrown together to me but this one really was a work of art. It reminded me a lot of the vehicles in the old movie "Water World" that were, shall we say, improvised and embellished. It did have a custom made frame and suspension parts where they couldn't be seen. It had a very consistent theme that was followed faithfully throughout the vehicle both inside and out. The owner seemed to be a fairly competent car guy and said that it ran and rode as smoothly as a modern vehicle. I guess the best of both worlds - a work of art that was also very serviceable. Now I wish I had taken more close ups of it as it really was nicely done for a rat rod.

[Old Henry]

Just stumbled onto this "Rat Bike"

[Vic Piano]

That's sew COOL...

[51 MERC-CT]

Looks like a comedians bike ( meant to keep you in stitches )

[Tim Ayers]

Looks like a mobile sweat shop.

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

...it would be like Picasso taking a photo of a nude, instead of expressing it on canvas in his own way. ...

At least in the photo, the woman wouldn't have three tits

[Vic Piano]

So, I take it, you're not an art lover...???

[Old Henry]

I think everyone loves some kind of art but the art each loves may be very different from what others love.

I had a client once that made stuff out of clay - pots, etc. He appreciated my work for him so much he gave me what he thought was one of his most beautiful pieces. For me, I thought I made something better in 1st grade. It was more of an "abstract" piece. I was gracious and swooned over it in his presence but hid it from all eyes, particularly mine, thereafter.

I love Wedgwood, fine China, and porcelain ceramics and other more traditional art but once in a while I find some interest, if not a sort of beauty, in something abstract like the very nicely done rat rod next to us Saturday.

When I was in primary school I used to love to draw things and was told I was pretty good but never magnified whatever talent I had for such. Now my "creative outlet" is photography such as I take on my road trips to share. Some love it and there seem to be some that hate it. To each his own.

[51 MERC-CT]

I personally like all the road trip videos it allows me and others to view things that I probably will never get to see in person.
Speaking of photography, just a suggestion, in order to make photos more forum friendly (not so big ) try reducing size to 5x7x100ppi
per this example