This vintage Ford Model A Rat Rod is, in fact, a Polaris RZR.

      @PapaWheeliesWorld/YouTube

      Get The Drive’s daily newsletter

      The latest car news, reviews, and features.

      It’s a lovely day in the neighborhood, but it's also a bit too peaceful. Time to shake things up with another Polaris RZR body swap. This one is sure to make Henry Ford roll in his grave—and maybe even try to take the wheel.

      The RZR is the most popular side-by-side in the sport segment, which often ends up on its side, tumbling down hills, or crashing into trees. People tend to have a bit too much fun, you know. Resourceful builders see an opportunity when one arises: for instance, a wrecked Polaris serves as the donor for this off-road Honda Fit, and now we have another damaged RZR transformed into a Ford Model A.

      In the first part of a presently 13-part series, Papa Wheelie salvages a 1929 Model A from his uncle’s yard, where it had been left for quite some time. While he doesn't mention exactly how long it sat, a photo reveals the vehicle in a covered garage, partially obscured by various items, including a large container of cat litter. Sigh.

      However, that’s not a problem. He really just needed the body panels; its core comes from a 2016 Polaris RZR Turbo that was rolled by “a friend of a friend.” Wow, what a friend.

      “Many of you might say, ‘Hey, that’s pretty dumb to do that,’” Mr. Wheelie states at the 1:25 mark in the introductory video. “But my idea of hot rodding is about using what you have.” And what he had was a neglected Ford and a rolled RZR.

      The first video was uploaded in January 2022. Twelve updates and about three years later, the pieces are finally coming together. Or at least they're pieced together enough for an initial test drive. The completed “pre-runner” Model A now has a completely different appearance from its former dilapidated state.

      Sporting vibrant teal and black paint, the Model A no longer has its sidemounted spare tire, features a lowered profile, and sports whitewall tires on steel wheels. The vehicle has also been made street-legal with functioning headlights, taillights, turn signals, and a registered license plate. However, hitting the streets can be quite confusing for your senses.

      “I heard it coming down the road,” said a friend. “I was like, who is arriving on a motorcycle?” He wasn’t the only one taken aback.

      During its inaugural trip, Papa Wheelie finds himself driving behind the local police (4:00). Eventually, the patrol car pulls over to let him pass, but much to Wheelie’s astonishment, they don’t follow.

      Because, after all, vintage Fords aren’t meant to sound like that. But who really cares? Every driver and passenger of Papa Wheelie’s “Model rAzR” comes back wearing the biggest smiles they can manage. Especially the kids.

      Although the project has not yet concluded, it's definitely closer to completion than ever before. The team still needs to make adjustments to the hand controls and gauges. The excessively squeaky tires will also be swapped out for a staggered set of high-performance 32-inch (or maybe 30-inch?) ITP Coyote tires mounted on Vision wheels. The next video will include a comparison test between the vehicle's low rider hot rod stance and the elevated off-road suspension.

      The Model A was prized by gangsters and hot rodders alike. This Polaris-based variant would likely receive a thumbs up as well. As for the Father of the Assembly Line, would he really be upset about one of his creations still being appreciated nearly a century later?