Tim's amazing wooden car.....huh?

[hondacuraplanet]

I'm online one night just over a week ago, looking at the stuff in the Salvage Vehicles section on eBay, and came across something that made me scratch my head so hard that I bought it

This contraption started out life many years ago as a 1960 Nash Metropolitan. How it got to this day, in this form, is anybody's guess. It was sitting in a barn for over 20 years in its present condition, the body was made by an obviously insane craftsman, with seats out of a 60s Mustang. Whatever his dream was, I'm going to take it the rest of the way.....but how remainds to be seen

Obviously, my boys are in LOVE with this thing, mine are the two blonde ones . I'm going to bring my dad in on this one, who's retired and an outstanding woodworker, to make an inter-generational project out of this, and hopefully some kind of heirloom? Who knows.

Price: $75.40. I put in a half-baked bid on eBay on it, I never thought I'd actually win it

So, friends, give me some ideas on how to assemble this 21st century Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It's obvious that I'm going to have to do a bit of restyling on the front and perhaps the back, but the guy was such a craftsman with the way this body's made, I'd like to keep the back in natural wood, finished like a boat. But anything's possible .

If nothing, this thread will provide a good laugh into the eccentric mind of yours truly

 

[slamstrom]

All it needs is a paint job, unless you like the wood panel look.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[Vega$ NSX]

 

[SaleenS7Rs]

This reminds me of the Splinter.:biggrin:

 

[Dtrigg]

Wide body kit...:biggrin:

 

[White92]

Is that still registered as a Metropolitan? Can it be driven legally once you're done?

 

[DocL]

I'd sell the seats for $75.40 so you can break even. Then I'd paint it Red and put a roof on it. After that I'd cement it down in your backyard and let the kids play in it. I really don't think I'd feel safe driving it on the road.

 

[queenlives]

I'd sell the seats for $75.40 so you can break even. Then I'd paint it Red and put a roof on it. After that I'd cement it down in your backyard and let the kids play in it. I really don't think I'd feel safe driving it on the road.

yep, part it out - that met engine may have some value - and use it as the beginning point for an, ahem, "nice" full motion race simulator

 

[Gofastguy]

I find it hard to believe that nobody said to lower it! ....So that's my suggestion!

 

[docjohn]

looks like a homemade vw thing....I've seen worse cruising the twisting roads on many carribean islands...I would wrap it in a matte black...seems all the rage:tongue:

 

[hondacuraplanet]

Is that still registered as a Metropolitan? Can it be driven legally once you're done?

It doesn't appear to have a VIN tag anywhere on it, I asssume that was lost with the shell. In NY, I should be able to register it as a homebuilt/kit car as long as I have proper paperwork as to where everything came from.

Or, it'd be a neat adult go-cart

 

[synergy004]

Drop it as said above, get some crazy offset wheels and post it in the Hella Flush thread LOL.

 

[Gofastguy]

Go for the weight reduction...Instead of CF, replace panels with balsa.

 

[OutbackKY]

I like the stained wood idea. I think if you ripped off the front fenders, and covered them up with some decent plank wood, you could end up with the road going version of this:

 

[tosugrad]

At least it won't rust.

 

[Russ]

Turn it into a Morgan replica:

http://visboo.com/how-morgan-cars-are-made-out-of-wood.html

 

[hondacuraplanet]

Decided to hang a Metrpolitan front end on it, fabricate rear fenders, and turn it into a woody convertible

Progress is being made in getting it on the road......

 

[NSX2398]

How timely ..the January 2011 Car & Driver magazine has an article on some guys in Pennsylvania who run a Metropolitan repair business. I think their site is www.metropolitan-restoration-service.com or 570-922-0012. I know you're not restoring it, but you may need parts.

 

[gdae]

Updates?

Don't know how I missed this thread in the first place. But:
You could install some raised-panel doors on it ....
Or you could fab up a lot of sconces out of pvc, install on the sides, and then insert flowers, and Boom! Instant parade float. Seriously, I think if you just covered it up, it would be great for parades.:biggrin: