Contributed photo The Rodster is based on a 1983-94 Chevy Blazer donor vehicle. (Click for larger image)

How long has it been since people looked at your car wherever you go? Or how about people (total strangers) waving at you as you drive by? This is what happens when you drive a car that stands out rather than one that melts into the vast pool of mediocrity that most people drive. The thing is, it doesn't even have to be a rare, collectible car-it just has to be different.

If you're looking to drive something different, there are lots of ways to go. You can buy a restored vehicle and use it as a daily driver. Depending on the restoration, some of these cars won't be economical for everyday use and if the car is really a collectible, you'll be afraid of driving it everyday. Another route is to build a kit car-but here again, it can be a difficult project to undertake.

	Contributed photo Hard to believe, but that's a Chevy Blazer! (Click for larger image)

If you decide to go the kit car route, you ought to take a look at The Rodster, made by Caroselli Design. The Rodster combines the look of a custom street rod with the ease of ownership of a "daily-driver." The conversion kit takes uses a donor vehicle-a 1983-1994 2-door Chevy S-10 Blazer and simply put, converts it into a street rod. According to Caroselli Design, this can be done in 120 hours in your garage. All that is needed after that, is to have it painted.

The Rodster design maximizes the advantages of its donor vehicle by retaining the Blazer's major OEM components: the complete drive train, all factory emission equipment, interior (2-seater) with the original appointments and the windshield/cowl. Even the factory doors are retained by using a proprietary Caroselli Design window tracking mechanism. And since the original kit was introduced, there is now a new nose that can be used which makes it easier to install a V-8 engine. One of the Rodster's advantages is that the end result retains the Blazer's registration.

The modification required to the donor Blazer include cutting the roof, modifying the original cooling system, relocating the battery, lowering the suspension by 3 in. and modifying the door window tracks. The kit consists of hand-laminated fiberglass body parts, designed-in mounting flanges, the unique tilt nose and even the trunk is functional.

	Contributed photo No doubt about it- with the Rodster, you'll get lots of looks. (Click for larger image)

You can probably find a useable donor Blazer for $2000 or less. As long as the frame is fine, you don't have to worry about body rust because you won't be using most of it (except for the doors). The Basic Rodster conversion kit is $4395 and is comprised of all the proprietary body pieces used in the Rodster.

The Complete Kit, at $6595, has everything you need to build a Rodster except the donor vehicle, wheels/tires, miscellaneous fasteners and paint. The Super Deluxe Complete Kit is $7695. There is also an available lift-off Carson Top at $795.

For more information log on to the www.rodster.com or contact Caroselli Design, 128 Center Street # B El Segundo, CA 90245 310/322-2767.

[Peter C. Sessler is the author of 25 books on cars, published by Motorbooks International, Tab Books, Smithmark Publishers, and HP Books. Some of his titles include "Ford Pickup Red Book," "Muscle Car Greats," and "Car Collector's Handbook." Publication is pending on his latest book, "Model Car Handbook," to be published by Scale Sports.]