Rat Fink Model Kit

You can buy one now!

The 3D printed Rat Fink Model Kit can be found on ebay:

Ships from ModelKits.ca small business owned by Orillia Diecast in Orillia Ontario Canada

Assembly video of the Rat Fink Model Kit: Rat Fink Model Kit Instructions

Width: 16 cm/6.5"
Height: 21 cm/8.5"
Depth: 24 cm/9.5"

Your new Rat Fink model kit will be 3dprinted by me, Shawn Knight.

You must treat this as a model kit. 3d printers are known to leave defects that need sanding and cutting. You can glue with acetone (melts the parts together), super glue or anything that sticks to plastic.

Most parts are done in PLA (plastic). The eyes and nose are harden resin.

You can paint any of the plastic parts and resin parts. I use water based acrylic paints.

He will still look good without painting or preparing the surfaces.

Ignore the rubber band in the picture, the model shown has not been glued yet.

NOTE: These and other items are printed on demand, there is no inventory. It takes up to 2 days to print the parts. Please be patient for me to make your Rat Fink model kit!

Assembled and Painted

Kit Parts

An Ed Roth Essay

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth was an American artist and custom car builder who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s for his unique and outrageous designs. He is perhaps best known for his creation of the character "Rat Fink," a grotesque and mischievous rodent that became a symbol of the hot rod and custom car subculture of the era.

Roth was born in Beverly Hills, California in 1932, and grew up with a love of cars and art. In the 1950s, he began customizing cars and motorcycles, and soon gained a reputation for his innovative and unconventional designs. He became a regular contributor to car magazines of the era, such as Car Craft and Hot Rod, and his creations were featured in numerous car shows and exhibitions.

In 1963, Roth created the character of Rat Fink, a green, snaggle-toothed creature with bulging eyes and a wicked grin. Rat Fink quickly became a hit with the hot rod crowd, and was soon emblazoned on T-shirts, decals, and other merchandise. Roth also created other characters, such as Mr. Gasser and the Weird-Ohs, which further cemented his reputation as a master of automotive art.

Roth continued to build custom cars and motorcycles throughout the 1960s, and also branched out into other areas of design, such as clothing and jewelry. He was also known for his flamboyant personality, and often appeared at car shows and other events dressed in outrageous costumes and performing stunts.

Sadly, Roth passed away in 2001 at the age of 69, but his legacy lives on in the world of custom cars and the wider popular culture. Rat Fink and other Roth creations continue to be popular with collectors and enthusiasts, and his influence can be seen in the work of contemporary artists and designers.

About Rat Fink

Rat Fink is a character created by American artist and custom car builder Ed "Big Daddy" Roth in 1963. The character is a green, grotesque-looking rodent with bulging, bloodshot eyes, a long snout, sharp teeth, and pointy ears. Rat Fink is often depicted as sneering or grinning maliciously, and is typically shown in exaggerated poses, such as driving a hot rod or playing a guitar.

Rat Fink quickly became popular with fans of hot rod and custom car culture in the 1960s. Roth used the character as a symbol of rebellion against the mainstream, conformist values of the era, and as a way to poke fun at traditional American icons like Mickey Mouse and Superman. Rat Fink was often emblazoned on T-shirts, decals, and other merchandise, and became a mascot of sorts for the hot rod and custom car subculture.

Over the years, Rat Fink has become an enduring symbol of the counterculture of the 1960s, and has appeared in a variety of media, including comic books, movies, and video games. The character has also been featured in numerous exhibitions and retrospectives of Ed Roth's work, and has inspired a whole generation of artists and designers who share Roth's love of hot rods, custom cars, and outsider art.

Today, Rat Fink remains a beloved and iconic character of American pop culture, and continues to inspire new generations of fans who appreciate its irreverent, rebellious spirit.

Other Characters and His Famous Cars

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth was primarily known for his custom car designs and artwork, but he also created a number of distinctive figures and characters over the course of his career. Here are a few of his most famous figures:

Rat Fink - As mentioned earlier, Rat Fink was Ed Roth's most famous character. He was a green, grotesque-looking rodent with bulging, bloodshot eyes and sharp teeth. Rat Fink became a symbol of the hot rod and custom car subculture in the 1960s and has remained popular ever since.
Mr. Gasser - Mr. Gasser was another character created by Ed Roth. He was a caricature of Roth himself, with a big nose, shaggy hair, and a wild-eyed expression. Mr. Gasser was often depicted driving a hot rod and appeared on a variety of merchandise, including T-shirts and model car kits.
The Weird-Ohs - The Weird-Ohs were a series of model kits created by Ed Roth in the early 1960s. They were caricatures of classic horror movie monsters, such as the Wolfman and Dracula, but with a humorous twist. The Weird-Ohs were a big hit with kids and became some of the best-selling model kits of all time.
The Outlaw - The Outlaw was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1959. It featured a distinctive bubble top and an asymmetrical design, with the driver's seat positioned off-center. The Outlaw became one of Roth's most famous creations and was featured in a number of car magazines and exhibitions.
Beatnik Bandit - The Beatnik Bandit was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1961. It featured a unique bubble top, asymmetrical design, and a flamboyant, space-age style. The Beatnik Bandit was one of Roth's most popular creations and won numerous awards at car shows.
Surfite - Surfite was another custom car designed by Ed Roth, this time in 1964. It was a beach-themed vehicle that featured a surfboard mounted on the roof, as well as other beach-themed accessories. Surfite was another popular creation that helped cement Roth's reputation as a master of automotive art.
The Monster - The Monster was a life-size fiberglass sculpture created by Ed Roth in the late 1960s. It was a grotesque, multi-limbed creature with sharp teeth and a wild expression. The Monster was one of Roth's most elaborate and ambitious creations and was often displayed at car shows and exhibitions.
Road Agent - The Road Agent was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1959. It featured a streamlined, futuristic design, with a pointed front end and a bubble top. The Road Agent was another popular creation that helped establish Roth's reputation as a pioneer of custom car design.
Tweedy Pie - Tweedy Pie was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1959. It was a cartoonish, yellow-and-black vehicle that featured a distinctive, oversized bird's head on the front end. Tweedy Pie was another popular creation that was often featured in car magazines and exhibitions.
Mysterion - Mysterion was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1963. It featured a distinctive twin-engine design, with two Chevrolet V8 engines mounted side-by-side. Mysterion was one of Roth's most ambitious and innovative creations, and it was featured in a number of car magazines and exhibitions.
Road Race Roadster - The Road Race Roadster was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1959. It was a sleek, low-slung vehicle that was designed for racing, with a powerful Chevrolet engine and a lightweight fiberglass body. The Road Race Roadster was one of Roth's earliest and most influential creations.
The Outlaw II - The Outlaw II was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1960. It was a radical redesign of Roth's earlier Outlaw model, featuring a streamlined, asymmetrical design and a bubble top. The Outlaw II was another popular creation that helped establish Roth's reputation as a master of custom car design.
Orbitron - Orbitron was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1964. It was a space-age vehicle that featured a unique, asymmetrical design, with a pointed front end and a bubble top. Orbitron was one of Roth's most unusual and distinctive creations, and it has been the subject of much fascination and speculation among fans of custom cars and outsider art.
Beatnik Bandit II - The Beatnik Bandit II was a second iteration of the original Beatnik Bandit, which Ed Roth built in 1961. The new version featured a longer wheelbase and a more streamlined design, with a bubble top that extended all the way to the rear of the car. The Beatnik Bandit II was another popular creation that helped establish Roth as a visionary and innovative designer.
Rotar - Rotar was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1965. It featured a futuristic, space-age design, with a long, pointed nose and a bubble canopy. The most unique feature of Rotar was its rotating engine, which spun around inside a clear, plastic sphere mounted in the back of the car. Rotar was one of Roth's most ambitious and experimental creations, and it remains a favorite among fans of custom car design.
Dragnut - Dragnut was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1965. It was a sleek, low-slung vehicle with a pointed front end and a distinctive, curved roof. Dragnut was powered by a supercharged Chevrolet V8 engine and featured a number of innovative design features, including a custom-built chassis and suspension.
The Great Speckled Bird - The Great Speckled Bird was a custom motorcycle designed and built by Ed Roth in the early 1970s. It featured a unique, bird-like design, with a long, curved beak and a set of wings that served as handlebars. The Great Speckled Bird was one of Roth's most unusual and distinctive creations, and it remains a favorite among fans of custom motorcycles and outsider art.
Surfite - Surfite was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1964. It was inspired by the surfing culture of Southern California, and featured a surfboard mounted on the roof, as well as a number of other surf-themed design elements. Surfite was one of Roth's most colorful and playful creations, and it remains a favorite among fans of custom car design and surfing.
Tweedy Pie - Tweedy Pie was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1959. It was a compact, cartoonish vehicle that was designed to look like a caricature of a traditional hot rod. Tweedy Pie featured a bright yellow paint job and a number of exaggerated design elements, including a giant chrome engine and a set of oversized wheels.
Road Agent - Road Agent was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1964. It was a sleek, low-slung vehicle that featured a distinctive front end with two headlights mounted side-by-side. Road Agent was one of Roth's most popular creations, and it was featured in a number of car magazines and exhibitions.
The Beatniks - The Beatniks were a series of cartoon characters created by Ed Roth in the early 1960s. They were a group of beatniks, or hipsters, who lived in a world of hot rods and custom cars. The most famous of the Beatniks was Rat Fink, but there were also characters like Mr. Gasser, Mother's Worry, and others.
The Outlaw - The Outlaw was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1959. It was a streamlined, low-slung vehicle that featured a distinctive, shark-like design. The Outlaw was one of Roth's earliest and most influential creations, and it helped establish him as a leading figure in the world of custom car design.
Stealth 2000 - Stealth 2000 was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1967. It was a futuristic, space-age vehicle that featured a distinctive, bubble-shaped canopy and a number of other high-tech design elements. Stealth 2000 was one of Roth's most radical and experimental creations, and it remains a favorite among fans of custom car design.
Beatnik Bandit III - Beatnik Bandit III was the third iteration of the original Beatnik Bandit, which Ed Roth built in 1961. It featured a similar design to the first two versions, but with some updated features, including a longer wheelbase and a more aerodynamic body. Beatnik Bandit III was another popular creation that helped cement Roth's reputation as a leading figure in the world of custom car design.
The Road Agent II - The Road Agent II was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1965. It was a modified version of the original Road Agent, which was built in 1964. The Road Agent II featured a number of updates and improvements, including a more aerodynamic body and a new, more powerful engine.
The Mega Cycle - The Mega Cycle was a custom motorcycle designed and built by Ed Roth in 1965. It was a massive, three-wheeled vehicle that featured a giant, fiberglass body and a number of other unique design elements, including a large, curved windshield and a set of custom exhaust pipes.
The Road Agent - The Road Agent was a custom car designed and built by Ed Roth in 1964. It was a low-slung vehicle that featured a distinctive, wedge-shaped body and a number of other unique design elements. The Road Agent was one of Roth's most popular creations, and it helped establish him as a leading figure in the world of custom car design.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth was a renowned artist and custom car builder who revolutionized the automotive industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for creating Rat Fink, a grotesque and mischievous character that became a symbol of the hot rod and custom car subculture of the era. Roth's innovative and unconventional designs gained him a reputation as a master of automotive art and he continued to build custom cars and motorcycles throughout the 1960s. His flamboyant personality and outrageous costumes made him a memorable figure in popular culture. Although he passed away in 2001, Roth's legacy lives on in the world of custom cars and wider popular culture. His creations continue to inspire new generations of artists and designers who share his love for hot rods, custom cars, and outsider art.These are just a few more examples of Ed Roth's unique and innovative figures and creations. His work continues to inspire and influence artists and designers today, and he remains a beloved and iconic figure of American pop culture.