Freaky Fiat Custom Rod

Hot rodding is all about creating something different. A culture of being different is inevitably going dilute until what was once different becomes normalcy. That being said, if something like Mick Mielczarek's Fiat hot rod ever becomes normal we will be living in a very exciting world indeed.

“I wanted it to look as though this was both a mechanic’s kind of hot rod and also, a kind of tribute to the internal combustion engine," says Mick. "Before I made anything for it, I would think to myself, 'what parts can I use or substitute in instead?'”

While the term custom get's thrown around a lot, Mick has taken thinks to the next level and possibly even the level after that. If you can find anything like the wild and wonderful creations scattered all over this 'rod off-the-shelf, you had better get the hell out of Mick's shed.

The centrepiece of any good hot rod is the engine and this ferocious Fiat is packing a doozy. A Toyota 1UZ-FE has been given plenty of room by the elongated wheelbase that is used to fit pipework for the twin Garrett T25 turbos, feeding a comfortable 11psi through the custom grill/intercooler. This modern powerplant produces 450rwhp but performance wasn't really the main focus of Mick's project and it certainly isn't all the 1UZ provides.

See the steering wheel? Mick knocked that up himself out of 3 1UZ-FE conrods. Information is also relayed through 1UZ parts, with 4 pistons machined out to house Dakota Digital gauges. The camshaft below the windscreen is used as a demister and the shifter is literally made out of a shifter! In fact, it would be safe to assume that any piece of detail you see on this car that looks as if it is there simply for decoration actually serves a purpose and is fully functional.

Functional also describes the car as a whole quite well as despite the crazy appearance, Mick's custom creation is 100% road legal and registered. "The car was built to be driven, to be enjoyed," says Mick. "I drive it every opportunity I get, so that’s what I’m gonna keep doing. I take it to every hot rod event possible!” As you can imagine, the reaction it get's at shows is pretty ridiculous and with Mick creating every piece of this perfectionist's puzzle, he deserves all the accolades he gets.

Check out the finer details in issue 12 of Heavy Duty Hot Rods, on sale now.