Think carefully about choice of engine, what are your priorities, power and torque figures, fuel consumption, reliability and ease of maintenance, spares available locally off the shelf?

For a traditional hot rod the choice can only be a big American thundering V8, however you must also consider ease of maintenance and availability of spares in Thailand, not forgetting fuel consumption, as the price of oil goes ever higher and higher. A good big Jap engine will give ample power output for most people, and can be "dressed" with polished aluminium and chrome to look very good indeed.

We have just fitted this 350 cu inch V8 to a Japanese pick up.