Make a statement with these unique, hand-painted Rat Fink ladies motorcycle shorts! The shorts were hand painted with a paint designed specifically for leather or faux leather material. They can be hand washed! The shorts are accented by a snap closure and a zipper and have pleats on the sides that allow extra room in the waist (see photos). These shorts are perfect for a range of occasions and a must-have for any motorcycle enthusiast, art or vintage collector. I photographed one tiny spot where I saw a flaw in material. It is photographed and I have pointed to it directly.

The size L shorts have a flat front and a 28-inch waist size. These rare vintage shorts have a classic fit and are perfect for summer, fall, and spring seasons. The shorts are themed after 60s nostalgia with influences from the motorcycle and car craft communities, as well as the iconic Big Daddy and Ed Roth. Rat Fink[1] is one of several hot rod characters created by artist Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, one of the originators of Kustom Kulture of automobile enthusiasts.[2] Roth conceived Rat Fink as an anti-hero to Mickey Mouse. Rat Fink is usually portrayed as either green or gray, comically grotesque and depraved-looking with bulging, bloodshot eyes, an oversized mouth with sharp, narrow teeth, and wearing red overalls with the initials "R.F." on them. He is often seen driving cars or motorcycles.[3]

Rat Fink

Rf

First appearance

1963

Last appearance

2022

Created by

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth

In-universe information

Gender

Male

Occupation

Biker

Nationality

American

Roth began airbrushing and selling "weirdo" T-shirts at car shows and in the pages of hot rod publications such as Car Craft in the late 1950s. By the August 1959 issue of Car Craft, "weirdo shirts" had become a craze, with Ed Roth at the forefront of the movement. His T-shirt designs inspired an industry.[4]

Rat Fink was advertised for the first time in the July 1963 issue of Car Craft. The ad called it "The rage in California". Also in 1963, the Revell Model Company issued a plastic model kit of the character. The initial run of the kit was from 1963 to 1965, but the Rat Fink kit, along with Roth's other creations, has been re-issued by Revell over the years. Rat Fink continues to be a popular item to this day in hot rod and Kustom Kulture circles in the form of T-shirts, key chains, wallets, toys, decals, etc.

Other artists associated with Roth also drew the character, including Rat Fink Comix artist R. K. Sloane and Steve Fiorilla, who illustrated Roth's catalogs. Rat Fink and Roth are featured in Ron Mann's documentary film Tales of the Rat Fink (2006).