Rat rod on Verneukpan salt pan in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Rat rods are owner-built custom cars with an intentionally worn-down, unfinished appearance. Typically lacking paint, in rough condition and showing rust, they are often made from cheap or discarded parts, which may include non-automotive items that have been repurposed. The typical rat rod is a late-1920s through to late-1950s coupe or roadster, but sometimes a truck or sedan. Originally, a counter-reaction to the high-priced hot rods (old, classic or modern American cars rebuilt or modified with large engines) many of which were seldom driven and served only a decorative purpose, the rat rod is intended to be driven, is typically loud and made to go fast