When thinking about rat rods, Mazda wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind, but this four-wheeler is powered by an engine pulled straight out of the Miata.
The eBay auction describes how the owner was rear-ended in his little sportscar, giving him the idea of turning it into a rat rod. Though even we find it hard to believe, this custom’s engine, transmission, rear differential, gauges, suspension and steering components are all from a 1996 Miata.
“My research didn’t turn up much information on Miata hot rods, aside from a collection of insane human beings who swap LS Corvette motors into Miatas. For the most part I was doing things backwards by keeping the Miata drivetrain and ditching the body. The most logical starting point was simply pulling everything off of the wreck. Underneath, there is a very convenient frame member connecting the back of the transmission housing to the rear differential. From there I could establish a parallel rail chassis design using 2x3” rectangular tubing,” the seller says.
In the “cosmetic” department, the grille 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. The Miata’s motor should have no proble pushing this rig down the road, so it seems that the owner was onto something.
All this uniqueness can be yours for just $8,000, should you choose to bid on the Mazda-powered rat rod.
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