Need advise on pedal cars. I understand that the undercar mechanisms can be bought seperately, where? what brand would be the best start? I want to build my son one for his first B-day. Low Cruiser style or early 30's traditional I thought would be cool, I would like to see what you have built, and would appreciate being schooled. Pics of pedal cars you built and links to past tech articles would be appreciated. Is the $199 kits worth it? fiberglass or steel? Mods, Pls. delete post if I might have duplicated a past thread.
Use the HAMB search for pedal cars. Here are a coupla good threads: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111865&highlight=pedal+cars http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95306&&showall=1 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56734&highlight=pedal+cars Here's an early '60's Murray "Lancer Wagon" that originally belonged to my wife. We resurected it three years ago for our kids, using repo wheels, tires & hubcaps from Speedway. Murray and Kiddilac were two of the bigger names back in the day. Best advice I can offer is to get yourself a Speedway pedal car catalog and read it cover-to-cover. Hope this helps.
thanks for the input guys. seems like speedway is the place to go. I am still interested in pics for ideas.
Here is one I modded for my wife's dog....... I lowered it all around, more at the rear than the front for the tail dragger look. Made the lake pipes from stainless tubing, shifter handle and tow bar are also stainless, upholstery errr, none.
That is bitchin, Have any tips or guidance you can give on getting it that low? Sorry, never worked on a pedal car before. Anything that would prevent me from buying 2 of a part because of my ignorance would help now before I start cutting. Also, Is that a standard $149 kit they have? thanks in advance.
Well I tried to get you a pic of a neet...little 29 Ford roadster hot rod I did for my grandson a couple years ago, but I can't get my pics small enough for some reason on this board. Any, if you will send me your e-mail address I send you some to look at. Or maybe someone can get them and post em. the Dickster
Here's mine, I did for my almost 2 year old son. Found the body and wheels on ebay and built the frame and everything else. Pulls as a wagon because if you want it to sit low you won't be able to pedal. Here's some pix of it in the early stages, but it's finished now, with interior etc. Patina stayed the same. Casey
Google "Magic Image resizer" this program will resize a whole directory of pics in seconds..ok maybe minutes if you have a large collection of pics. works sweet for message board uploadings. email: bretondad@comcast.net
Looking at these pics really help my ignorance. Thanks man and that car is sweet, I wanted to build one with the traditional patina and as low as yours. I would like to see the finished pic if possible. I will look on egay to see if they have any deals. Point also taken on looking at other places besides Speedway. Man if that thing is ever for sale send me a pm, not for my son just as a collector piece for me. I would like to be able to build and paint a car for him myself as a reference on what the future holds for us two. I am already collecting pieces for a modelA truck for when he turns of age to drive. Funny thing is he's only 10months old. Thanks for all your input. keep em coming as long as the mods keep this open.
This is a $40.00 local paper find, it was originally produced as a Police car. Keep an eye out in your local rags, garage sales etc, they turn up from time to time but stay away from the "Antique" stores, they are pricey. I just sectioned the rear axle mount and moved the front mount up, mine is also a pull along deal now like C.C.'s. I also did an old 30's scooter, raked the neck, cream colored wheels and bar, flat black paint with a red bell... I have the deco style full wheel skirts/fenders from an old pushchair that are awaiting a suitable project to present itself.
This was a quickie that I slapped together for my daughter Regan. It's the Legion Speed Shop Special. I'm working on a kustom next. It will be one that I'll push.
Here is one I bought off of EBAY and redid. I welded all the seems together and molded everything. Painted it Volvo silver w/ magenta pearl flames. I didn't want to lower this one so my daughter could actually ride it.
Here is a stroller I built for the grand kids. Has leaf spring front and coil overs in the rear . Sorry but its a glass body.
Kirk!.....very cool.....What did you start with......Is it new or old sheet metal?....If new where can a guy get one?
Again, Thanks for the input and pics. stay away from antique shops and keep an eye out on yard sales. got it... I am opting for a low stance look for the first year so its ok if I have to pull or push it like a wagon. with that said, I will try to see if I can get one in the next Pomona show. I will raise up to pedal height as he grows so he can ride it. keep em coming. Al~chevnut
This ain't a pedal CAR. Restored original Pedal Plane. When the grandkids got to big to use it we hung it from the ceiling in the bathroom to make it look like it is diving on the shower. BB
there was a guy in Claremont or Pomona. I bought tires and hubcaps from him several years ago. I cant find his website any more but it was called "pedal cars by Jorge (or George) Medinilla" he had a lot of cool stuff, dont know if he is still in business? good luck.
You guys are making me anxious to be a grandpa and iI keep telling my wife and kids ain't no way we are ready.
It was a kit. I didn't mean to imply that I scratch built it. I stripped off the windshield, headlights, fenders and spare tire. I did the scallops and the graphics. It will eventually get an upholstered seat and I'll lose the convertible top plastic thingy. I bought the kit from a vendor at a Goodguys event.
Here you go....... My son Blaze with his orange pedalcar I built for him. I bought the body for $60 at a swapmeet and built the chassis.It has an uphostered seat and flame throwers. The yellow 29A lakes mod I built from scratch.Its a stroller I gave to my wife on Valentines day and four days later Blaze was born(the day Earnhardt died,so his middle name is Earnhardt) Its all steal with chrome dropped axle,diff,hairpins and exhaust. smile says it all..... heres one I got from Boones that were buildin right now for Blazes siter Ember granpa is addicted too and bought him this,its an original Little sis takin out big bros ride!
both those cars are awsome. your son's got more in his stable than i do. lucky guy! also noticed your roadster in the background. bitchin.
It wouldn't be hard to fabricate your own "chassis", but you might save a bit of time purchasing a kit and robbing the internals. The front steering is set up in a vertical format in the kit cars, so that might be a bit of a hassle.
Got him this 75th anniversary duece. I figured I need to decide which one to get before Xmas passed so I went the easy route and just paid for a new one. I am planning on getting his seat upholstered with red leather and having Doug Door pinstripe it at the GNRShow at the end of Jan. I am still on a lookout for a custom pedal car I can paint myself but here's a pic of him riding it Xmas day. He freaked each time he saw his sister riding it..and it took a good effort to pull him off it. My Christmas seem to be getting better and better as my little dude grows up.. Attached is a pic..
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