Jeremey Rainey's Volkswagen Beetle rat rod is the definition of the "built not bought" slogan that so many hot-rodders live by. He purchased a rusty 1964 bug and went to work on the blank canvas.

The phrase is a spin-off of "rat bike," which was in reference to custom motorcycles built on the cheap. The late Gray Baskerville, venerated hot rod writer, is said to have been the first to apply ...

The best analogy to describe the difference between hot rods and rat rods is that you'd proudly take home and introduce a hot rod to your parents, but on your deathbed, you'd still remember the wild ...