I actually think this is kinda cool.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/17/ebay-find-of-the-day-mazda-miata-forms-basis-for-unlikely-rat-r/
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May 17, 2011 9:09 a.m. SyntheticBlinkerFluid HalfDork
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May 17, 2011 9:16 a.m. mtn SuperDork
Somebody on here has driven it!
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/i-think-i-may-have-spoiled-miatas-for-m...
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May 17, 2011 9:24 a.m. N Sperlo Reader
I wouldn't be ashamed to drive it, that's for sure.
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May 17, 2011 9:36 a.m. tuna55 SuperDork
And it's on autoblog and EBAY NOW!
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May 17, 2011 11:39 a.m. ultraclyde Reader
For once, I'm proud of our state!
I used to dream of building a light '32 ford fiberglass replica with an s2k driveline, just to be different. this guy did it cooler.
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May 17, 2011 1:58 p.m. Tom Heath Web Manager
I'd love to own it, but $8k should buy a fan-daggone-tastic example of a Miata, not a faux-rat. Awesome car, but not an awesome bargain.
At the risk of sounding like a curmudgeon, I think another could be built for less than half the cost. Maybe I just like the idea of the car's creator keeping it.
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May 17, 2011 2:08 p.m. integraguy Dork
With such powerful 4 and 6 cylinder engines being built in the last 10-15 years, I'm surprized we don't see more cars like this.
My father's 10 year old (Vulcan-engined) Taurus has all of 150 horsepower, which is now considered as "passable" for a small 4 cylinder. And if that's not bad enough, his old '79 Mercury Zepher had a 5.0 V8 that was also rated at 150 horsepower.
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May 17, 2011 2:11 p.m. T.J. SuperDork
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May 17, 2011 6:13 p.m. Jamesc2123 Reader
That's my friend Ben Mckee's creation. I posted it up here a while ago, and he bumped it up for the sale.
My god is it fun to drive...and Tom I know how much it cost to build, but a lady never tells, does she...
I wish he weren't selling it, but I think just building it is a large part of the point to him, then its time to move on. He's coming up from GA to NY tomorrow, and we're diving in to a free XJ6 which I'm rooting for being combined with something tiny and British for an all-Brit rat rod. Ideas?
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May 17, 2011 6:55 p.m. Graefin10 Reader
ultraclyde wrote:
For once, I'm proud of our state!
I used to dream of building a light '32 ford fiberglass replica with an s2k driveline, just to be different. this guy did it cooler.
That sounds like a great idea.
Does anyone know if the hot rod iterations of push rod suspesions handle well? It would be really cool to do what ultraclyde said with a sophisticated suspension, disc brakes light wheels and sticky tires.
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May 17, 2011 9:46 p.m. ronholm Reader
Locost??????
Seriously... Love it..
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May 18, 2011 1:06 a.m. problemaddict Reader
Jamesc2123 wrote: we're diving in to a free XJ6 which I'm rooting for being combined with something tiny and British for an all-Brit rat rod. Ideas?
How bout xj6 + spridget + sawzall?
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May 18, 2011 8:02 a.m. nderwater Dork
More details on that car!
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May 18, 2011 10:13 a.m. problemaddict Reader
I've got no info. I believe DSW took that picture at a FL carshow many years ago. I looked for more info back then and found nothing. Haven't looked in a while, but I can't get that car out of my head.
Formula looks pretty simple: remove fenders, hacksaw hood to sorta match up with whatever 30's grille you can get your hands on, sawzall rear fenders to fit huge meats, cruise! Gives me really nasty ideas of what to do w/ my MGB, but my B is way to nice to hack up like that. Another 'some day' project....
[EDIT] This is turning into a total threadjack, but looking for that car, I came across this one. Which is awesomesauce:
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May 18, 2011 10:38 a.m. Luke SuperDork
I still think this thing is brilliant. I absolutely dig the concept and the execution.
One question - was the custom frame necessary? Or just a result of the accident damage?
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May 18, 2011 11:17 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork
How about a Jag powered Spridget? I've seen this one up close & personal; nicely done, excellent burble.
All you need is time, patience and money. I have only two of those at any time.
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May 18, 2011 11:31 a.m. alfadriver SuperDork
nderwater wrote:
More details on that car!
Find car that is in bad enough condition that nobody feels bad that you are going to cut it up.
Find donor parts that would be approporate.
Marry together.
No need to put any finish on it.
(need anymore than that?)
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May 18, 2011 4:33 p.m. Jamesc2123 Reader
The frame was necessary; This is what a Miata looks like sans body, and a rusty model A shell doesn't quite add the proper stiffness...
I like the Sawzall Spridget idea, since there aren't a lot of British cars with the narrow hood prewar look (at least not in the free to cheap price range.). A T series could work if one could be found for cheap, but that's about all i can think of.
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May 18, 2011 5:10 p.m. JoeyM SuperDork
914Driver wrote:
All you need is time, patience and money. I have only two of those at any time.
This belongs in "Say What?"
