Wood, do you believe it? Fully functional WOODEN car hits the road – and it looks like something out of a sci-fi blockbuster
Real-time machines may only exist in science fiction, but this engineer’s wooden vehicle certainly seems ready to return to the future.
A woodworker in Vietnam named Truong Van Dao has made a fully functioning car out of wood, complete with rotating gears and pistons.
In an incredible video, Mr Van Dao is shown hand-carving every wooden part of his vehicle, which is powered by electric batteries.
And although the car doesn’t travel much faster than walking pace, commentators are puzzled by its complicated and time-consuming design.
The charming contraption is reminiscent of Baldrick’s working time machine from Blackadder β although this four-wheeled contraption only travels through space and not through time.
A Youtuber named Truong Van Dao of ND Woodworking Art has created a functional time machine-inspired car
Mr. Van Dao posted his video to his YouTube channel, which he describes as a βfather and son duo creating beautiful wooden cars that combine artistry with functionality.β
His amazing builds include wooden versions of all the real cars, like the Cybertruck, to an entire wooden train.
In this video, Mr. Van Dao attempts to create a “conceptual car that resembles a time machine.”
Although the video description states that AI was used in the design of the car, there is no footage of the design process and Mr Van Dao does not elaborate further.
Instead, the first thing we see is Mr. Van Dao welding the metal frame that forms the base of the car.
He first builds a basic four-wheel chassis before adding the round frame that gives the vehicle its unique shape.
Although it is inspired by time machines from science fiction, the wooden construction makes the end product resemble Baldrick’s time machine from Blackadder: Back and Forth (right).
Describing his channel as a father-son duo, Mr. Van Dao created this incredible vehicle for his son
The only metal parts in the car are the structural frame that Mr. Van Dao welded together
Every other part, including the huge wooden wheels, is hand-carved from wood and attached to the frame
Using light-colored wood, Mr. Van Dao builds the wheel-like structure of the vehicle
By installing four electric batteries and some basic wheels, the simple frame can already move, but Mr. Van Dao still has a lot of work to do.
He starts on the wooden exterior and first makes the two solid wooden front wheels by gluing planks and turning them on the lathe.
These are secured in place and secured with elaborately cut hubcaps.
Mr. Van Dao then makes short work of the rest of the frame and adds the structural and decorative elements made of light-colored wood.
Even the handlebars are hand-carved from a single piece of wood before being assembled.
But perhaps the most impressive parts of this build are the intricate moving details it adds to capture the essence of a steampunk time machine.
Gears are mounted in the frame and secured with cords so that they turn when the engine is turned on
These gears and pistons rotate and move as the car is activated, giving it a sci-fi look
Stacks of wooden gears are cut out and darkened with a blowtorch before being assembled and mounted next to an elaborate set of pistons.
When the wheels turn, the gears and pistons rotate with the motion of the vehicle.
When it’s finally complete, the vehicle looks like a cross between HG Wells’ The Time Machine and Baldrick’s wooden time machine from Blackadder: Back and Forth.
With one seat in the wheel-like frame, there’s just enough room for Mr. Van Dao and his son to take this strange vehicle for a spin around town.
The wooden car moves at a brisk walking pace, attracting the looks of surprised locals.
The video even shows groups of schoolchildren gathering to inspect the vehicle and sit in the driver’s seat.
The finished product provides just enough room for Mr. Van Dao and his son to sit in the front seat as they drive the car around town
Local children were amazed by the construction and gathered to take a closer look
And on YouTube, commenters were no less amazed at the craftsmanship and creativity on display.
One commenter wrote: ‘The amount of work that went into this is insane, your kids must think you are the best dad in the world.’
“That wouldn’t be out of place in a sci-fi movie, absolutely great work,” wrote another.
While another impressed fan added: ‘Crazy! Your artwork is amazing! The car manufacturers must learn from you.’