A Strange project at Strange Days.

[Chaz]

I post progress on this project regularly, but I've never placed it here. This is a project that we've been working on for years of spare time. Its called the Finkosel and What it will be is an operational kiddie carousel with wooden hand carved Ed Big Daddy Roth figures instead of horses.
We're actually getting close to a finish line here. We mounted the artwork to the rounding boards that fit above the figures on the carousel.. These five panels form a complete circle. This week we hope to mount them on the machine and take a video of the thing under its own power. We still hope to debut it at a good sized car show even though we missed the Peterson exhibit and Autorama.

The scalloped area at the bottom mounts the lights. There are over 200 on the machine

WE ARE GETTIN EXCITED!

For those unfamiliar with this project you can check it out here:
http://www.finkosel.homestead.com/files/index.htm

 

[mulepackin]

That is incredible!!! Next time I'm in Mssla. I'd like to see it (your shop too).

 

[wilbilt]

As always, I am in awe.

 

[cc_rider]

The image of Rat Fink (?) yanking the gearshift out of the floorboard is based on a true story. There used to be a mechanic and racer nicknamed 'Hands'. He was very short but had enormous hands and feet. He had some kind of genetic defect; most people with it died as children though. Anyway, he was crazy strong. There's stories about him picking up V8 blocks by putting his thumb into one cylinder and his fingers in the opposite one. Or picking up mounted racing slicks, one in each hand, fingers stretched ALL the way across the tread. His specialty? carburetors, of all things.

The story goes, he was racing one day, and while shifting, actually ripped the gearshift out of the floor. I don't think the car had a windshield, so what you saw was this enormous hand sticking out, gearshift attached. Oops.

Everyone mentions how Rat Fink has outsized hands and feet. Most people don't know that's based on a real person.

I heard all this from a mechanic buddy who grew up around Houston. I'll try to find more details and specifics.

c.

 

[RPH]

Sweet work.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Looks great .........but if you plan on letting little kids even touch it it wont last long unless its made of solid metal...Also you got to know that if there is any way in a million years a kid can hurt himself on something HE WILL. I would want a signed liability waver from any parent that let his kid near it.

 

[Der Bugmeister]

Quite simply, I'm in awe. Thanks for sharing those with us!

What I wouldn't give to have something like Mr. Gasser and his '57 gracing my garage...

 

[Chaz]

We assembled the various pieces this weekend and videoed it. Theres still a lot of work that needs to be done, but you can view it here:

 

[Down Under Bloke]

Looks great I love it.

Are you concerned that some little kiddies may find it scary? It looks to small for those on their second childhood; a bigger version may get more punters.

 

[Oranje]

Chaz-
That may be the coolest thing I've ever seen.
Great idea and obvious talent/hard work poured into it.
Totally dig it, and I bet Big Daddy would of gave it two thumbs up.