Rat rodders don't give a fuck about going fast or taking turns. They also think primer is a color. They are the steampunkers of the hot rod universe - so long as it's made out of ostrich feathers and has surplus "e"s in the name, it's cool by default.

Well, rat rods are more about aesthetics than functionality, which I'm sure you know but I'm just more stating this for anyone else who reads this. I do think though, there is something charming to the idea that they want to use flatheads for authenticity. They really aren't my thing, much like donks and lowriders aren't my thing, but when I see one at a show or out in the wild, in good shape and done well, I still find myself admiring them. They're all about form over function, but somehow function seems to find its way into their art. I think an extreme example, on the other end of the spectrum, would be pro-street and mudders, where function comes first, but somehow that function lends itself to a certain aesthetic that people try to emulate.

For nearly any automotive application you care to name these days, there's probably a VVT DOHC sub-2L inline 4 that's doing the job quite nicely, thanks.

My knowledge in automotive history is pretty spotty, but I think Honda could take a lot of credit for this trend. I'm not a Honda fanboy by any means, in fact Honda fanboys kind of turn me off to the brand if I'm being honest. But in the late '80s and early '90s, I think Honda's VTEC technology really paved the way for respecting smaller displacement engines.

MV Agusta F4

I'm unfamiliar with the engine so I googled it. Am I right in that it's for bikes? What do you like about it?