Future Rat

[Raul_Perez]

The theme for the '09 NNL West is "Rats and Cats". I wanted to build something that wouldn't look like every other ratrod I've ever seen. With that in mind I started wondering what a nice, well-built hotrod from today will look like in 50+ years...How well will it be kept up? What kind of engine will it have? What type of fuel will it run on???

While this is not intended to be a ratrod version of the "Back to the Future" car, many of the parts for this build came from the Back to the Future II model by Aoshima. (I couldn't resist using the Mr. Fusion...it just looked like too cool of a part not to use...).

This shot shows the piece of box steel, (that had previously been painted red), that was used to double Z the frame to make room for the horizontally opposed heads on the 8 cylinder engine that is designed to burn just about any kind of fuel that you can find to put in it...

Here are a couple of closeup pics of the "engine". The block was made from a 1:12th scale F1 oil tank with a few parts from a C6 Vette, a few parts from the BTTF II car and a bunch of scratch-built "bits" to finish it off.

Here are a couple of interior shots that show the new JC Whitney gauges that were installed to keep the driver aware of what was about to happen to him and his sorry excuse for an engine.

Here's a shot of the main fuel tank with the highly secret fuel monitoring system from none other than the latest JC Whitney catalog. The controls on the driver's door manage the fully electronic transmission and traction control system that's needed to route all of that horsepower to those monster meats out back.

Lastly, here's a shot of the bottom side of this little buggy. Many of the original parts from the late '90s hotrod are still in place, except for the updates needed to the exhaust system to accommodate the catalytic converter.

Well, I hope that you enjoy checking out this futuristic rat as much as I had building it.

Later,

Edited December 28, 2008 by Raul_Perez

[Geezerman]

That is just too kool for words.

Love that engine !!

top notch craftsmanship !!!!!

[Clay]

Great Job Raul, I remember that movie, its where he made the car take garbage instead of plutonium.

[Randy Kern]

Now that's something different, and cool! Raul, I thought you only did the shiny stuff, but I see here just how multi-talented you are. Looks like with that big motor you had to go back to an even more primitive steering setup .

[Raul_Perez]

That is just too kool for words.

Love that engine !!

top notch craftsmanship !!!!!

Thanks, Geezerman!! The engine was a lot of fun to cobble up.

Great Job Raul, I remember that movie, its where he made the car take garbage instead of plutonium.

Yeah...this thing is made to burn anything combustible!!

Later,

[Raul_Perez]

Now that's something different, and cool! Raul, I thought you only did the shiny stuff, but I see here just how multi-talented you are. Looks like with that big motor you had to go back to an even more primitive steering setup .

Thanks, Randy!! Yeah, the only way to route the steering gear around that big ol' motor was to go with cowl steering. Besides, I think that setup looks pretty cool!

Later,

[Dennis Lacy]

Very neat build, Raul! And quite imaginitive too! This makes me think of something that would be built post-apocalypse, like something you'd see in the old Mel Gibson Road Warrior movies. Love all the weathering and detail, my favorite of which is the way you did the front frame extensions. They look like someone took some 2x4" square tube with old red paint on it, cut it up and welded it in - awesome. Also dig the interior and the huge drum mounted in back for a fuel tank. Are the various interior controls decals from the BTTF kit too?

Oh, btw, I think your rear tires are on backwards?

[Bernard Kron]

It's Awesome! Weathering that sucker really pulled it all together. Of course we all knew you were a detailing maniac when it comes to engines and chassis, but this takes it to a different level. And it's good to know that CalSurplus will still be going strong deep into the 21st century supplying parts to discerning builders everywhere.

Edited December 26, 2008 by gbk1

[Raul_Perez]

Very neat build, Raul! And quite imaginitive too! This makes me think of something that would be built post-apocalypse, like something you'd see in the old Mel Gibson Road Warrior movies. Love all the weathering and detail, my favorite of which is the way you did the front frame extensions. They look like someone took some 2x4" square tube with old red paint on it, cut it up and welded it in - awesome. Also dig the interior and the huge drum mounted in back for a fuel tank. Are the various interior controls decals from the BTTF kit too?

Oh, btw, I think your rear tires are on backwards?

Thanks, Dennis!! Yeah, I wanted the the frame extension to look exactly as you described it.

Some of the controls are from the BTTF kit, some are parts-box goodies. I made the dash and door panel gauges in PowerPoint, printed on photo paper and glued in place.

Yes, it was late, I was tired and I put the rear tires on backwards. Thanks for the catch!! They're fixed now!!

It's Awesome! Weathering that sucker really pulled it all together. Of course we all knew you were a detailing maniac when it comes to engines and chassis, but this takes it to a different level. And it's good to know that CalSurplus will still be going strong deep into the 21st century supplying parts to discerning builders everywhere.

Thanks, Bernard!! Yes, CalSurplus and JC Whitney will last well into and probably beyond the 21st century!!

Later,

[Roadkill2525]

Great looking rat Raul, how to see it before NNL West. Is the alternator rated for 1.21 gigawatts and will it run plutonium?

[Raul_Perez]

Great looking rat Raul, how to see it before NNL West. Is the alternator rated for 1.21 gigawatts and will it run plutonium?

Yes, it will run on Plutonium, but no, the alternator is not rated for 1.21 gigawatts... The only time when this rat is in a different time zone is when the time on the driver's watch is wrong.

Later,

[curt raitz]

This is one "mean looking" car... looks as though it eats children in the mornin'

I see you're up late tonight, Santa good to ya this year?

[Raul_Perez]

This is one "mean looking" car... looks as though it eats children in the mornin'

I see you're up late tonight, Santa good to ya this year?

Yeah...I got a few new models. How about you?

[Classic Plastic]

As they say: "One man's trash is another man's treasure"! Awesomely detailed build dude! You're inspiring me to try my hand at a "Rat Rod"! Carb intake looks like part juicer, part moonshine jug?! Great imagination Raul!

[Raul_Perez]

As they say: "One man's trash is another man's treasure"! Awesomely detailed build dude! You're inspiring me to try my hand at a "Rat Rod"! Carb intake looks like part juicer, part moonshine jug?! Great imagination Raul!

Thanks!! The engine has two fuel intake systems. The primary system is electronic fuel injection from whatever liquid fuel gets put into the drum. The backup system is the "Mr. Fusion" sitting on top of the intake that will burn anything that won't fit through the fuel lines.The air intake is through the air filter box that sits just behind the radiator.

Later,

[outlaw035]

raul my friend once again im speechless...the rat is nothing short of awesome in every detail...how do u come up with these ideas....never mind....some people are just born with them....neal

ps im glad u pick a 32...

[MikeMc]

raul my friend once again im speechless...the rat is nothing short of awesome in every detail...how do u come up with these ideas....never mind....some people are just born with them....neal

DITTO

Now someone is gonna start the whole "RAT" issue all over!!!!

[rv1963]

Awsome work on your future rat i really like the mix of old and new Tech it gives the car some attitude.

[Raul_Perez]

Thanks, guys!!

Sorry, Mike; but with the theme at upcoming the NNL West being "Cats and Rats", we'll be seeing a lot more rats coming out of the cracks between now and early March! Boy, is that a mouthful!

[cruz]

Really unique Raul, I love it!!!!

[curt raitz]

[we'll be seeing a lot more rats coming out of the cracks between now and early March!]

e-e-e-w that could be messy!

[Raul_Perez]

Really unique Raul, I love it!!!!

Thanks, Marcos!! I wish that I had the time to come back east and share it with you guys in person!!

[we'll be seeing a lot more rats coming out of the cracks between now and early March!]

e-e-e-w that could be messy!

Yeah...that's kind of what I thought, too!!

Later,

[evilone]

Looks good raul.Now if only i can find my flux compasator i might be able to do one like this LOL.You going to the NNL in san diego bro?

[Raul_Perez]

Looks good raul.Now if only i can find my flux compasator i might be able to do one like this LOL.You going to the NNL in san diego bro?

Thanks, Kevin!!

I purposely left the flux capacitor out of this build. That would have tied it too closely to the movie...

No, I won't be going to the NNL in San Diego, but I will be at the NNL West in Santa Clara next March.

Later,

[stevegt738]

Interesting concept and well executed. That flat 8 looks like a mechanics nightmare . Well done.