Grand Rapids Cruise August 25, 2007 Rat Rod is a style of Hot Rod or Custom car that 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. More recently however, a trend has arise