Ford HotRod C-Cab T-Bucket for the SuperTee Pink Projects Fund Raiser
This wooden toy is built in honour of my 4yr old grandson Asher who’s already had 4 zippers [now 5], doing remarkably well considering the difficult start to his life. He’s truly God’s Blessing.
I joined a remarkable mob of Aussie woodworker on Instagram in making a donation for a fund raiser for The “SuperTee Organisation” who supports sick children in hospital with the encouragement of a Super Hero T-Shirt.
This is my donation 50 to 60hrs of, one off, hand built wooden toy vehicle using reclaimed or offcut timber.
The design is out of my head, made up as I built the vehicle, after seeing so many beautiful HotRod’s on the internet to get ideas and scale to the build this iconic shape vehicle.
I did this one with an open door style this time, so folk could see inside the Cab showing the Seats, Console, T-Bar Shifter, Pedals, Dashboard and Glovebox details.
Part of the “Project” parameters was to use some supplied “Purple Pink Maple Veneer” in the build, something I struggled to get my head around.
Timber isn’t naturally that loud, just the vehicles I’m replicating are!
This HotRod is 17” [430mm] long; 7” [180mm] high and 8 ¾” [220mm] wide at the back wheels.
I have used a range of beautiful Aussie Hardwoods, mixing & matching to give depth & character to the HotRod!
Chassis – Spotted Gum decking offcuts from a builder friend.
Engine Block – Townsville Iron Bark suppliers by Mark Dainer [who also supplied the Maple Veneer].
Blower – recycled skateboard from Mark Dainer, on 1” [25mm] Tassie Oak Dowel with a Zebrawood front [thank you Pat].
Running Boards & Manifold – Local Iron Bark from my own milled tree.
Rear Wheels – TallowWood 3 ¾’ dia x 2 ¾” wide from recycle Telegraph Pole at Recycled Timber, Warragamba Recycled Timber Pty Ltd
Front Wheels – Red Gum 2 ¾” dia x 1” wide from offcuts from a woodworking mate.
Axle Pegs with S/S Washer & Nylon Washers are shop bought for the 1 ¼” recess on the wheels.
Headers [Zombie Pipes] – Tassie Oak ½” Dowel.
Headlights – Tassie Oak 1 ¼” Dowel with a half a macramé bead.
Cab Roof – from a reclaimed threshold for a 1970’s Blackheath house which was being renovated.
Cab Sides – from reclaimed 1960’s commercial cupboard from the local community club.
Tray Sides – from reclaimed 1960’s commercial cupboard from the local community club.
Cab Floor and Firewall – Both miscellaneous offcuts from a woodworking mate.
Dashboard and Glovebox – Both offcuts from Blackheart Sassafras from a woodworking mate.
Fuel Tank – was a prize piece of Fiddle Back Tiger Myrtle I won in a Guessing Competition from Rare Tasmanian Timbers, with 2 rings of the Townsville Iron Bark and Bloodwood plugs.
Rear Bumper – American Walnut reclaimed from an 1890 Boston Pump Organ with shop bought timber lights recessed.
The Rear “Ford Logo” on the Tray was Laser Cut by my wooding mate Alex [aka LBD] in country Victoria.
Seats – Laminated Purple Pink Veneer onto a reclaimed desk drawer from my now passed Father-In-Law, Bob, which has been quilted with added arm rests & head rests.
Centre Console – Purple Pink Skateboard material offcut from Mark Dainer with the added “T-Bar” Gear Shifter.
Pedals – Offcuts of the seats build on bamboo skewers.
Steering Wheel – Wooden Button with a cut to size piece of Purple Pink Veneer insert and small axle peg Horn.
Finish – Home Made Wipe-On-Poly [30% Tung Oil, 40% Clear Satin Polyurethane, 30% Mineral Turps] 3 coats.
I use “Titebond Original Glue” for the main part of the build but also have used a lot of “Starbond Medium Thick CA Glue” for the tricky parts that needed fast dry times.
I’m very honoured to be given the opportunity to make a beaut playable wooden toy vehicle to support this great fund raiser cause with a whole mob of magnificent woodworkers on Instagram who have stepped up to the challenge along with some very generous vendors/supporters.
My HotRod raised $300 for the SuperTee Organization, so pretty pleased with the effort!
Gorgeous! Love the pink seats. Wonderful to have raised $300. And pray that Asher continues to do well.
The theme for the fundraiser was pink but I really don’t like pink especially with the beautiful colours of Aussie Timbers! Being a bloke who learnt to follow rules, regulations and orders in the Navy, I complied and the interior was the least offensive to me. But saying that, yes, it does look good!
On Asher’s progress; in September 2021 he had his fifth zipper with a major pumping upgrade to his heart and lungs. He’s doing amazingly well, still lots of allied health support but attempting preschool twice a week.
