Toy car on a very adult scale
Source: Agencies |
October 13, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TWO people from Alaska have embarked on an innovative venture aimed at recreating their childhood. A full-sized pickup truck that has been converted into a giant lookalike of red toy wagons popular in America for decades.
Fred Keller and Judy Foster got the idea for their vehicle after visiting a car show and seeing a hot rod that had been converted into a wagon.
Keller, 68, had the expertise in the °?construction he needed to convert the pickup. His hobby is building model aircraft, and this was similar.
"The basic structure of the wagon is marine plywood, foam, fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin," he said. "It's a very strong structure."
Many components of the original car are still in the adult-sized toy: instrument panel, steering column, frame and engine all remain.
Keller completed the frame and then added smaller wheels, hubcaps painted white and used old laundry detergent caps for the hubs.
He also constructed the 2.4-meter tall handle from PVC piping wrapped in fiberglass, which rises from the front bumper high over the wagon's windscreen.
The wagon was completed in August after making a adjustments required by the state motor vehicles department to make it legal to drive on the street.
Keller says he and his four siblings used to pull each other around in their wagon, and he'd sometimes even hook it up to a "lawn mower and things of that nature to get some extra fun," he said.
And now, when people see their giant wagon rolling down the street, it brings back their own childhood memories.
Keller said the wagon is "a very solid ride." The couple added racing seats to hold them in a little better. "It holds well on country roads, so it's like driving a sports car."
Fred Keller and Judy Foster got the idea for their vehicle after visiting a car show and seeing a hot rod that had been converted into a wagon.
Keller, 68, had the expertise in the °?construction he needed to convert the pickup. His hobby is building model aircraft, and this was similar.
"The basic structure of the wagon is marine plywood, foam, fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin," he said. "It's a very strong structure."
Many components of the original car are still in the adult-sized toy: instrument panel, steering column, frame and engine all remain.
Keller completed the frame and then added smaller wheels, hubcaps painted white and used old laundry detergent caps for the hubs.
He also constructed the 2.4-meter tall handle from PVC piping wrapped in fiberglass, which rises from the front bumper high over the wagon's windscreen.
The wagon was completed in August after making a adjustments required by the state motor vehicles department to make it legal to drive on the street.
Keller says he and his four siblings used to pull each other around in their wagon, and he'd sometimes even hook it up to a "lawn mower and things of that nature to get some extra fun," he said.
And now, when people see their giant wagon rolling down the street, it brings back their own childhood memories.
Keller said the wagon is "a very solid ride." The couple added racing seats to hold them in a little better. "It holds well on country roads, so it's like driving a sports car."
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