Very rarely I see a "rat rod" done correctly. The theme of rat rod is you build what you have access to. If you have pride in your workmanship you will build it and engineer the parts you will use and make them as nice a possible.
I am thinking like a 1952 Cranbrook lowered a bit with a traditional white walls and chrome reverse wheels. Maybe a chopped top car or something. I will try and find a picture of what I am thinking of and post it.