Resin Shifter Knob Appraisal

Rat Fink Cast Resin Shifter Knob

This item is a Rat Fink-themed shifter knob, crafted from cast resin. It depicts the iconic Rat Fink character, a grotesque, oversized, and often drooling rat created by Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth. The knob features a detailed, three-dimensional representation of Rat Fink's head, characterized by large, bulging eyes, a prominent snout, and a wide-open mouth filled with numerous sharp, pointed teeth. The material appears to be a cream or off-white colored resin, with dark, possibly black or dark brown, accents strategically applied within the crevices and recessed areas to enhance the sculpted details and give it an aged or cartoon-like effect through shading. The texture of the resin suggests a smooth, hard surface, typical of cast resin products. Notable features include the exaggerated anatomy of the Rat Fink, consistent with its hot rod and Kustom Kulture origins. There's a spherical element, possibly an eye or a decorative bauble, perched on top of the head towards the rear. The level of detail in the molding of the fur, wrinkles, and individual teeth indicates good craftsmanship for a resin piece of this type. No visible damage such as cracks or significant chips is apparent from the image, though some light surface wear or minor scuffs might be present given its likely intended use as a functional item. The overall aesthetic points to an item from the Kustom Kulture movement, likely produced in the latter half of the 20th century or as a retro-style piece in the 21st century. The specific function as a shifter knob suggests a threaded or hollowed-out base, although this is not visible in the provided image.