Mazda Miata forms basis for unlikely rat rod

Hell, it wouldn't even be the last thing. Unless, of course, you're a person looking for cheap transportation as you being graduate school in Georgia. It's hard to believe the car in the lead photo started life as aMiata, and has since been transformed into a real ratty rod that's fitted with parts from a variety of vehicles.

The owner states the he was rear-ended in the Mazda Miata, and this started him down a path to turn the wrecked vehicle into a rat rod. The engine, transmission, rear differential, gauges, suspension and steering components are all from a 1996 Miata. The frame was custom-fabricated from the remains of the crash-damaged car. The front and rear sub-frames were attached to the custom frame that was created, and this allowed for the stock steering and suspension points to be retained.

Up front, the grille of the rat rod was created by turning two 1960's Ford fender covers sideways, then welding them together. The headlamps are from a 1940s Packard, while the hood ornament was plucked from a 1941 Cadillac. Inside, the seats were wrestled out of a '70s-era Monte Carlo. Oddly enough, the entire package works well together to create that rat rod aesthetic, and the Mazda motor has no problem moving custom rig down the road.

The asking price is $8,000, and you can find out more about the Mazda-powered rat rod by clicking over to the eBay listing