Finished my Rat Rod Panel PT

[wazzzzman]

Outstanding, I love it. Wish I had the skill to do that. But then again it is my wife's PT and she would kill me so I guess I had better not try.

[monkey]

...y'ah,can't whack a Rat Rod....absolutely tippy-top job there!!!..Mind you I am biased as my other ride is a Ratty '55 Cambridge that can be seen lurking about at
www.alcoholbollocksandchevys.org.uk/
...that really has brightened my day....hmm,might even attack the old PT this afternoon with some satin black..oh,hold on I think Wifey has something to say.....ooh,dear

[Badger]

Nice look!

What's under the hood? Stock?

[ZZRain]

Wow, that is one nice looking Cruiser !! Happy Cruisin !!

[RatRodPT]

Thanks for all the compliments PT peoplez! Right now the engine is stock. The base car I started this project with was a 2001 with 100k miles on it. good runner still though and for $3k it was a reasonable $$$ starting point. Since I've only had this car since March of this year, I opted for customization first, engine later. The interior has also been customized a bit, but in keeping with the retro rat rod theme, its understated- serape blankets over headrest-less seats, serape headliner, burl dash and interior accents. I'll get some pics of the interior posted soon. I've only driven it finished a couple of times now, but it does turn heads for sure.
I learned a ton from my first PT project which started in 2002 with a brand new PT; which was orginally purchased to be my daily driver, but shortly after that I caught the "PT fever" and off I went. Really off. Maybe too off:
Flickr: PTXtreme's Photostream
Cheers!

[bruent]

Rat Rod, I'm Bruce the President of the Sequoia PT Cruiser Club. I'm told that we will be seeing you at our event Oct. 24-25-26 (Tachi Palace Casino, in Lemoore Ca.). Pete said you would be bringing the Rat rod? Is that Correct? I can't wait to see it. I'm sure everyone will go crazy. I loved your other ride, it really has to be seen in person to be appreciated.
See you soon,
Bruce

[RatRodPT]

Hey Bruce,
Yes, I will be bringing at least the Rat Rod to the Lemoore show. Trying to arrange bringing Xtreme also, so we'll see. The show last year was fabulous, and this year looks to be even better! See ya soon.

[Oldschoolpaulie]

Great work, but I have a (possibly) stupid question. Why did you opt for the flat paint, instead of gloss?

[bruent]

I was always under the asumtion that Rat Rods were always painted with a flat primer. Anyway where I come from they were. Maybe that is why he did it, but he can answer that question better than me. Just a thought!
Bruce

[RatRodPT]

Yes, in keeping with the Rat Rod (aka Kustom Kulture or Suede & Chrome) theme, I went with Hot Rod flatz paint by TCPglobal.
The color choices available now for flat or satin car paint are amazing. Click on the link below from the company I bought the paint from, then scroll down and look at the paint selections:
Hot Rod Flatz

Here's some Rat Rod info from Wikipedia:
A rat rod is a style of hot rod or custom car that, in most cases, imitates (or exaggerates) the early hot rods of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. It is not to be confused with the somewhat closely related "traditional" hot rod, which is an accurate re-creation or period-correct restoration of a hot rod from the same era.
Most rat rods appear "unfinished" (whether they actually are or are not), with just the bare essentials to be driven.
Many Rat Rods appear unfinished with primer paint jobs being common. Other finishes may include “natural patina” (the original paint with rust and blemishes intact), a patchwork of original paint and primer, or bare metal with no finish at all in rusty or oiled varieties. Many rat rods also have free hand pinstriping done by the owners with a pinstriping brush.
Interiors of rat rods vary from fully finished to a spartan, bare bones form. Mexican blankets and bomber seats form the basis of many rat rod interiors. Most are designed to be functional without many comforts although this will vary with the owner’s taste.

Not sure about the rest of the U.S., but satin paint jobs, are all the rage on the West Coast. I've seen even professional level, $200k showcars sporting satin paint jobs. The satin metallics and pearls on a car are unbelievably beautiful!