I agree to a point, I think it should be fun and use what you have avaiable. Now not many people build a car planning to sell it but also not many people keep them a long time either so I like to think of my investment and what it's appeal is to other people. I find the best way for me is not to follow fads much, they pass quickly. Stay with time houred proportions, proven asthetics. It still leaves plenty of room for personal expression.
I have referred to an article by Dad Baskerville about this subject and the stuff he wrote was all dead on. One of the things is parelells. Keep the front wishbones and drag link parelell to each other and the ground (or frame). This one simple rule is something you will really notice if you are aware of these things. I have seen some high dollar rods with the drag like marching up hill to the axle and it ruins the whole car for me. Then the guy will swear it doesn't bump steer, I guess you would have to drive it for that to happen. Another thing I can't stand is having the radiator out in front of the tires, especially on an openwheeled rod. I even think the stock 38-39 Ford pickups look weird because of that (and I even own one) That is the main reason I often don't care for S-10 framed hotrods because so many end up with the radiator sticking out too far.
