Project Information
This project was a gift for my first child. It combines two of my hobbies, woodworking and classic cars. My wife and I own a '55 Chevy BelAir and travel every year to the Back To The Fifties car show in St. Paul, MN. I was inspired by many other customized Radio Flyer type wagons at the show. Because I have more experience in crafting wood than steel I chose to make a wagon based on a 1920's Chevy Depot Hack. Depot Hacks, or Station wagons, were the Airport shuttle buses of the rail age. They were generally a large truck frame and engine with a big wooden body for hauling passengers and luggage. My miniature version is also, of course, modified to with the classic hotrod treatments; a "small" block V8 engine, dropped I-beam front axle, headers and a chopped roofline. Almost all of the wagon is made of ash, expect the steering wheel and handle grip, which is walnut, and of course the wheels and such. The headlights are for a bicycle and were purchased online. Our daughter has enjoyed "driving" the wagon so far, and loves ringing the bicycle bell (added after these photos). I wish I had more pictures of the making the different parts, but I was trying to squeeze in this project where I could with a new baby in our home. The only thing I would change is to find a way to make it lighter, because it is very heavy. We have received many nice comments from people at car shows and walks around town. It was a fun project and hopefully will last a long time.