I had them draw multiple outlines of the block onto paper, then sketch several designs within the outlines. When they had a design they liked, they cut out the design to make a template. Next step was to trace the outline of the car on both sides of the block.

I then had them use a coping saw to cut out the car. I showed them how to put the block into a vise, then I did a few strokes to show them how, Then I had them try it. Sometimes I guided their hand until they got the feel of it. They finished cutting out the car.

Once the car was cut out, I showed them how to put sand paper into a holder and showed them how to sand. I then turned them loose to sand the car to the final shape. Sometimes they used a rasp for part of the shaping. Again, I did a few strokes to show them how, then let them finish it.

Next step was weights. This is one part that I generally did most of the work. The first car, I had my son tape coins on the bottom. Some cars, I drilled holes which they filled with fishing sinkers or other bits of lead, then covered with wood putty. Some cars I chiseled out an area of the bottom to fill with lead.

The boys did the painting. I showed them how to paint, using scrap wood, then let them do the painting. I sanded the flash off the wheels. and showed them how to put on the wheels. Usually, I did the first wheel, they did the other three.

My oldest son's first car looked great but barely made it to the bottom of the track. One of the other dads showed my son how to put graphite onto the wheels. My son's car then won the pack meet, won the district meet, then took third in the all-city meet (Savannah, GA). Other sons cars were always competitive. Of the 15 or so cars, three or four took first, the rest usually finished in the top four. On car had wheel/axle problems and finished in the middle of the pack.

On of the biggest disappointments was my third son's third car. He had a great design, did all the work himself since it was his third car, and spent a lot of time on the sanding and painting. It looked so well made that the judges disqualified it for the "Best Looking Car" award, because they were sure he couldn't have done it so well by himself. He was really pissed off.

My biggest regret was not keeping all their cars to display in the den. Most got thrown away; I think two of the boys still have one or two of their cars.