The problem is that there's a
very fine line between automotive art and automotive trash. And it's not a straight line. As a matter of fact, there are even two separate lines - one for men and one for women.
My granfather once framed a fluid mixing device he designed. It was simple and elegant and it looked friggin' cool.
I think in most cases, you're going to have to use parts which look really cool to begin with. Then you're going ot have to come up with a design which complements the parts and turns the piece into 'art' instead of 'trash.'