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Building the Half-Scale Go-Kart

33:28
49:56
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At 33:28 in

Leonard Wood's Workshop: Half Size Holley Carb and Ford 429 Hemi Project! (Wood Brothers Racing)

What happens here

Leonard shares the story of building his first half-scale go-kart when he was 13 years old, predating the mainstream popularity of go-karts. He built a four-wheeled vehicle with an engine and chain drive, emphasizing his early passion for mechanical engineering and problem-solving.

Goal: Recount the creation of his first half-scale go-kart.

Tools and materials

  • Chain and sprocket — Transmitting power to the wheels
  • Half-Scale Go-Kart Custom-made — Illustrating early mechanical innovation
  • Small engine — Powering the go-kart

What they say

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about 30 years old. And then when I stopped working for the team or was no longer on the racing team as far as competition was concerned, I restored two of those cars here. That Sitgo car from '89 , there was only the body, and that was the first thing I had to do; restored it. And then that Elliot Sedley car, a 2001 Motorcraft car, restored it too . And, you know, I did a lot of other things in the studio, helped hang paintings and all that stuff. And then Mr. Leonard came here to work, not long ago, he stopped working in the Charlotte area and started working here full-time with me. This led to miniature things and many other restoration projects that we did. And, like that raffle car that we sent to the Henry Ford Museum, the scale model, of course, Mr. Leonard did most of it, but I helped him a little bit. The one thing we like to ask people like you, who are over 80 and still doing everything, is what do you think is the secret? I think, being busy, focused. I lost my wife about 26 years ago in a car accident and I live alone but I just focus on what I want to do. And my nephews, Ed and Lyn, they come up with things they want me to do. And I always wanted to make a car, a big car, but I had no money or time. But they let me do the things I like, like Lotus and all that. It's like building a real

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