Here’s my adaptation o f the ORANGE CRATE RACER PROJECT

FROM THE 1949 CLASSIC MAKE IT AND RIDE IT BY C.J. MAGINLEY, ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH D. MCKEE

BLAST FROM THE PAST

By Mister Jalopy

There were endless jewel thefts, art forgeries, safe crackings, land swindles, and train robberies in my suburban childhood town, but my lack of transportation and an office kept me from cracking a single case. I was certain that if I had a trusty ’ 40 Ford, the right overcoat, and a defendable treehouse, I would be able to run a successful agency. Despite having Private Investigator business cards, clients just wouldn’t take me seriously without the appropriate ride. Though I would not have been much closer to my noir dreams, it would have been nice to obsess over Make It and Ride It with my Pinkerton-certified magnifying glass. —Mister Jalopy

If the trunk were left open, it would be an ideal seat for a terrier named Dr. Watson.

MATERIALS:

2 pc two by four 62" long — frame

2 pc ¾" × 62" × 11½" — end pieces X, Y

1 pc ¾" × 1¾" × 20" — footrest

15 orange crate ends or partitions — floor, bulk-heads, and frame pieces A, B

4 pc two by two 11½" long — reinforcing pieces

2 pc two by four 16" long — axletrees

4 wheels 10" in diameter

BOTTOM VIEW

STEERING ASSEMBLY

One ¾" disc 8" in diameter — wheel
One ¾" disc 3" in diameter
1 pc ¾" dowel 18" long — shaft
Two 4" eye bolts
5'- 6' ¹/8" wire cable
Two ¾" awning pulleys
2 pc ¼" dowel — pegs

FRONT VIEW

10 flat iron washers about 1" in diameter
Two flat-headed screws 1½" long
One ³/8" bolt 4"- 5" long — king bolt

king bolt

TOP VIEW

Though not listed in the Materials section, the text suggests using orange crate side slats, linoleum, canvas, or sheet metal for the body.

No orange crates in your attic? Crate ends measure 10½"× 11½" and ⁵/8" thick.

1. FRAME

front axletree

front axletree

2. AXLETREES AND FOOTREST

rear axletree

footrest

front axletree