Do you use modern cars parts for rat rods?

[greymack]

I was curious to how many of you guys use modern cars parts in building older cars? For an example if you use a 2000 mustang or camaro for its drive train only and what do you do with the body after wards?

[SuperStockAndy]

Never used anything like that in a rat rod, but I just keep spare bodies only to say I'll make drag cars out of them

[thatz4u]

trade the bodies to a guy that races slot cars

[W-409]

I'm with Andy. I don't usually use modern parts, like modern engines, or wheels. YUCK.

On Drag Racing car, I might use Electric Fan, or Disk Brakes, just because everyone uses them in real life, but otherwise I don't find use for them. And all of the spare bodies what can't be built into Factory Stock (for example), will be converted to Drag Cars.

[Fat Brian]

Modern car parts look out of place on a rat rod but if you are doing a custom modern hot rod you could use a new Mustang or Vette engine. My left over bodies are usually used to test paint techniques or various paint brands for compatibility prior to shooting my actual build.

[rmvw guy]

I usually don't buy any modern kits, I'm kind of stuck in the 60's or older..Only exception would be VWs or a pickup truck. I guess that tells you my age. LOL

[Joe Handley]

Define modern. I've seen a few rat rods that are using more recent small block Chevy and Ford truck motors that have had their EFI systems pulled for carbs, some even using more modern US and Japanese 4 cylinders (also truck sourced) for their rat rods.

[MachinistMark]

plan to build an Ls (gen III or IV) based engine for my 1:1 camaro eventually, simply because they are the greatest engine ever made, by anybody.

but modern parts on my models no. cause i buy no modern models to rob parts off, because i dislike modern cars!

edit - rat rods are hot roddings Unwanted Ginger stepchildren.

Edited June 2, 2012 by MachinistMark

[greymack]

Hey guys well lots of great comments.I think I'll stick to building old school rat rods.

[hotrod59f100]

I seen a 1.1 rat rod reo from the 30-40s? using a 2000 Honda elc fan and many modern items all wile keeping the look.

[Danny Lectro]

Why not use modern parts in a Rat Rod? My understanding is that Rat Rods came about through rodders using whatever they could get their hands on to maker their car go fast, sometimes even using stolen parts. I personally feel that being purist about it is too limiting, and goes against that spirit.

I say, with models and 1:1 cars, do whatever looks good and feels good, and whatever you can afford.