Build Your Dream Car (Alfa Romeo Vintage in Wood)
Introduction: Build Your Dream Car (Alfa Romeo Vintage in Wood)
Background
This Covid -19 lockdown seemed right out of a movie; entertaining to watch but hard to digest in real life. It was difficult to grasp that a single virus had made the entire world come to a standstill. Fortunately, I chuckled to myself, it’s not a Zombie virus, which would have turned some into slow cannibals and left the rest hysterical, running for their lives.
Covid-19, seemed a far more welcoming situation, yet my empty mind was a devil’s workshop. I was becoming a little restless with the long confinement, the uncertainty of future, the gradual weight gain and overdose of screen time. I wanted to be free working in college, on my automotive clay model.
Four months passed by and gradually the lock down restrictions eased but college remained shut. On one fine day, as I was brooding over all the defeating possibilities, I found a ray of hope. I always longed to work on wood and my school teacher’s carpentry workshop was near, yet I never had the time or the opportunity to do so. This was the perfect hour to knock on his door.
Step 1: Choose Your Dream Car
I have been fascinated about cars since childhood, so I plunged into making one of my dream cars, an Alfa Romeo 6c 1750 classic of 1928. I chose this model, as classic cars have a soul of their own; their fluid style, elongated hood, sweeping fenders and elaborate design has captured many a childhood imagination. Its glory days have waned but it's fine wine, which turns exquisite with the passing of time.
Please bear my blabbering, as its hard to stick to plain sentences when one is talking about dreams. Speaking of which, you can make your own dream car too, just follow the process to build your own.
Note: As it was my first project on wood, the entire project took me 45 days, about 3 hour work session per day. As I love cars, I stayed motivated. This is the reason for you to choose your dream car, and take on a project that will keep you inspired till the end. It is a different matter if you are skilled and have some experience working with wood.
Step 2: Gather Your Tools
Machines and tools
1. Lathe
2. Pillar drill
3. Belt sander
4. Fretsaw
5. Hand plane
6. Bench vise
7. G- clamp
8. Saw
9. Profile gauge
10. Try square
11. 668
Chisel and hammer
12. Files and rasps
13. Needle files
14. Sanding drum
15. Drill bits for wood
Materials
1. Sandpapers of 600, 800 and 1000 grade
2. Sanding sealer
3. French polish
4. Thinner Wax
5. Cloth
6. Wood glue
7. Araldite
8. 3 screws
9. 1 cycle spoke
10. Acrylic sheet
Wood
1. Red cedar - used on the car body
2. White cedar / Beech / Pine - light colored wood for central strip on bonnet, headlight center and door handle
3. Kalimaruthu wood - darker than Red cedar, for the wheels
4. Rose wood - used for the hub of the wheel, Front grille, Headlamp, steering wheel
Step 3: Use Blueprint to Scale the Car.
once I chose the car, I referred to a blueprint to maintain its right proportions.
* I have provided the blueprint as a PDF file which if printed to scale in an A2 size paper, will give you the dimensions of my model, which is in 1:5 scale.
* Use this as a reference for the dimensions of most parts of the car.
If you are experienced you could just eyeball an image and achieve the volumes visually, but that requires some experience in 3D modelling or sculpture. I have provided a jpg image to assist you with that in the next step.
Step 4: Plan of Action
An Overview of the Entire Process
I began working with the largest parts, such as the base, the hood and the rear, in order. I avoided working on their details but worked on achieving the rough volume, as seeing the car take shape quickly, would give you a sense of progress. This would motivate you to work on the details, which consumes more time.
Then I moved to the middle section of the vehicle; the doors, the seats and the windscreen. After completion of each part, assembled them to see the fit and overall look. Then I traced and cut the large sweeping fenders that run the entire length of vehicle. 220