Definitions

What is a RAT KOMBI? You can be truly original only once!......
But, maybe!

What is the "rat look". As you really can’t give a precise definition, my thoughts are that ideally mechanically, rat-look Kombis must at least be capable of getting a “Road Worthy Certificate” and often have a lot of attention lavished on them underneath so when you put the Kombi up on the hoist she’s perfect. There is a very fine line between "Rat", and just "neglected"....... Although, some rats with all new mechanicals, running gear & wheels, on original preserved paintwork / sign writing, with preserved surface rust can look incredible she has to have a believable patina. Original preserved paintwork / signwriting, with preserved surface rust just look right. Good rats have character. It is not something you can fake, it just is. something that shows history of use and the people who have owned it. that you can feel the lives of those who have owned her previously.
Sleepers. good mechanicals that have been modified into something that looks like it’s just been started and driven out of an outback shed after so many years!

A bit of the “bad boy” and evil image of a slammed lowered dark German Vehicle! Also some very talented repo signage and retro paintwork out there. I can’t give a definition as such but for me it has to have a believable patina. Good rats are just as good cause they have character. It is not something you can fake, it just is. something that shows history of use and the people who have owned it. that you can feel the lives of those who have previously been associated with it. something that shows history of use and the people who have owned it. that you can feel the lives of those who have previously been associated with it. Yes, it can be a fine line between rat 'look' and a mechanical, rusty heap that needs more love!

But also, what passes for rat in other countries like the USA & UK where road worthy criteria is a lot less strict than here in QLD is very different to Australia, or at least QLD! No vehicle can have mechanical defects or 'obvious' rust in NSW or it will fail pink slip, so a ratty looking bus should at least be rust free (except for patina or bogged up) and mechanically safe. In California, the only thing the authorities care about is emissions. The Kombi can literally have rust holes everywhere, be heavily modified, suspension slammed to the ground, no wipers, no blinkers, etc, etc and be registered. Now that's a rat! There are some wonderful Rat Rods on the internet but As with any type of vermin though, you get some big ugly rats from time to time.

Following is from an article that appeared in the “VW Magazine” issue 25 Feb-April 2010.

Without doubt, a heated VW debate will always start when the question “what makes a rat a rat?” is proposed on forums, chat rooms or at club meets world wild. Although the style has been with the scene for some years, a consensus on what constitutes a rat is far from being resolved, although there is an agreement that rusted hulks fir for landfill should never be confused with the definition. Terms such as patina, character, original, and matching numbers are often bantered around in close partnership with lowering, narrowing and big motors, yet whatever your combination , the fact remains that the rat style is here to stay and grow. The style attracts both those enthusiasts striving for something different, and those looking for a niche in the hobby. Some stumble across readymade rats, keeping the barn find look while repairing ad improving what needs to be fixed, while others choose vehicles specifically for their rat potential, with a deliberate emphasis on creating the look.

What is a SURF RAT KOMBI. Then maybe you can be again original a second time!

This term hasn’t maybe been used before, but a Surf Rat Kombi is more where my heart lays. There’s no bad boy image association, just the sounds of the surf sand and sun screen. If you have grown up with Kombis since the 1960’s then you will understand. It’s the love peace and good side of the drive… you really probably have to be a true “baby Boomer”