<P> 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 1940s, 1950s, and early - 1960s . The style 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 . </P> <P> Originally, rat rods were a counter-reaction to the high - priced "customs" and typical hot rods, many of which were seldom driven and served only a decorative purpose . The rat rod's inception signified a throwback to the hot rods of the earlier days of hot - rod culture--built according to the owner's abilities and with the intention of being driven . Rat rods are meant to loosely imitate, in both form and function, the "traditional" hot rods of the era . Biker, greaser, rockabilly, psychobilly, and punk sub-cultures are often cited as influences that shaped rat rodding . </P>

What is the definition of a rat rod