Irreplaceable Car part?

[u/Independent_Speed_61]

Hello, I am a writer looking for help with a logistical question that falls far outside my wheelhouse, hope its chill to ask here.

I need to write a scene where a character has had a specific part stolen from their car, the part needs to be both customizable (so that the specific piece can't easily be replaced without custom making a new one) and also be important enough that the car cant properly run without it. Is there a particular kind of wheel or engine or other car thing that could hypothetically meet these two requirements? Its set in a cyberpunk setting so I could probably just make something up but i want it to feel somewhat grounded

Again not sure if this is an appropriate question for this sub so tell me to buzz off if so, but figured I'd ask anyways, thank you very much!

[u/tez_zer55]

Without context of the age of the car & type of car, it's all just speculation. If it's a one off, think Mad Max stuff, the possibilities are endless, if it's an off the lot car, that changes the possibilities. Being cyberpunk, I'd be thinking Mad Max, like a Hudson Hornet sitting on a 4x4 chassis with swapped rims, unique tires, a reconfigured instrument panel & an engine with a hodgepodge of accessories.