Rat rods aren’t anyone’s idea of typical cars. T.J. Lutkins, 46, of St. Clair Shores, said his 1950 Ford Custom, “affectionately known as a Shoebox by car afficionados,” might even be too ratty for ...

Logan Fryz’s 1949 Willys probably won’t remind you of any jeeps you’ve seen before. It’s got some olive green paint and an American flag hanging off a rear corner, and it looks like a machine to be ...

Back in the early 80s, Uncle Sam decided to equip its ground troops with something-on-wheels that would go anywhere, carry enough firepower to orchestrate a coup by itself, take a beating if needs be, ...

Regardless of being admired or mocked, rat rods are a work of personalization. They harbor innovation instead of conformity, functionality instead of precision, and enthusiasm instead of refinement.

Building a rat rod isn't for everyone. Slamming together one of these radical machines requires an out-of-the-box thinker. Someone who's willing to commit years of work to fabrication and ...