This great picture from reader JMaz Photo reminds me that most adult men who work with tools have a pinewood derby story and an old racer lying around somewhere, either on film or the actual dusty old roller stuffed in a shoebox atop a shelf. All of them were glorious constructions, full of hope and wonder.
Of course, after race day they were either put on a shelf next to a ribbon or trophy, or strapped to a firecracker propulsion system (with a lit fuse) and left to the automotive gods to decide their fate.
When I saw JMaz’s prototype I thought back to my own derby days and resolved that, while loading holiday decorations into the attic this weekend, I would look for my old rig. Though it didn’t win the competition (like Chuck’s did), I had a great time building it with the old man, which is the point.
Whether or not JMaz’s rig wins any trophies, we hope it turns out to look as much like the Batmobile as it does right now — which is complete sweetness, by the way.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
