@@kentdixon5716 Great can't wait. The wife is the wood worker and she's chomping at the bit to build it. I do all the mechanical and have been gathering the running gear parts.
@@Hemi3310 Hey thats great! I wish my wife was into cars, but a guy cant have everything, she does occasionally complain about not parking in the garage, but lets me use it for the shop so, life is good.
You could make some money with this. Contact someone who knows how to make fibreglas molds. They can use your wooden buck as the base for their molds and from their cast as many duplicates of the car as ordered by potential customers.
This has to be the coolest little car ,of wood no less , I,ve seen in a long time . Been building vehicles for many a decade but this I,ve got to try of course with inspiration from you .Thank you so much for putting it on U-tube .Just after selling off a yard of customs accumilated over 40 years and retiring ,now you,ve upset the apple cart and I,m gunna try building a copy of this very neat little car. Thank you again .
Hey Cecil, thanks very much for the comment. I am currently working on the plans for The Backyard Coupe, and will be finished soon, so everyone who is interested can build their own. Feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns you might have, or even to chat, my email is on my channel but I will post it here just in case you missed it, kentdixon_692@msn.com so glad you enjoyed the video, sincerely Kent.
Couple questions. Is there a reason the windshield isn't slanted back? Wouldn't it be better to grind the welds, instead of rounding the wood? You should get a autodarkening welding helmet, Harbor, Northern Tool....around 40 to 50 bucks.. Makes setting the tacks easier. Good video. Can't wait to see the body work. Are you going to fiberglass the stress points?
Hey, not sure what you mean about the windshield slanted bank, The Backyard Coupe was designed as kind of a hybrid , combination model A Ford, 32 ford, and it does have a slightly slanted windshield, wherever I can I like to leave the weld bead a little bit , for strength, it is thin wall. Doesnt hurt the wood to make a little relief cut. Welding helmet ?, well I guess I might some day, I have been welding for many years, Kind of old school. The stress points, yes they will be epoxied , Glad you enjoyed the videos!
Hey David, No I haven't , I am pretty sure the problem with that would be the glue used to make it , I am sure that it would have interior glue, which would be a no no in this application.
Hey Dennis, still working on plans, not quite finished yet, but will be soon, If you have any other questions please give me a shout on my email, kentdixon_692@msn.com thanks, Kent.
Hello Kent. I happened across your channel the other day and my fiancé and I fell in love with your car and have since subscribed and watched all of your videos (and yes I have a beautiful woman that loves to build and work on cars and projects just as much as I do. Lol). We can’t wait for the plans to come out to buy them and build one I already have my drivetrain in the garage I built about 6 months ago and have been looking for a project to put it in and yours is the perfect candidate for it. Keep up the fabulous work and videos we’ll be watching for them and the plans to be available. Thanks Tony & Johnna
Hey Tony and Johnna, Thanks so much for the comments, so glad you like The Backyard Coupe, it really has worked out well for me, and I really enjoy driving it, the affordability of it is a huge bonus, and the main reason I designed it really , it was built for a fraction of the cost of a fiberglass kit car. So nice your wife loves the cars too! mine not so much but I have full use of the shop so, life is pretty good!
Hey Tony & Johnna, please shoot me an email, and I will send you a sample of drawings, and instructions for The Backyard Coupe, so you can get started on the build, thanks Kent.
Hey Lori, thanks! I didnt use any software to design it, just pencil and paper, then I built a crude model about 3 feet long to get the proportions right, then when it looked like what I wanted I built a life size car just out of 2x4s, even made the frame out of wood, just to save money and get everything mocked up. Then built the yellow and orange one in the videos, I am retro fitting the doors with slide up windows, and your right, the original does not have door seals, but I am retro fitting that as well and the plans will have them, thanks.
I was just thinking you might have been referring to the cad drawing at the beginning of some of the videos, that is a drawing from the plans that I hired a company to do.
Does the trunk lid schematic provide for a rumble seat? Perhaps you can design a second one so that it can interchange with the normal trunk lid when you're not taking passengers.
Hey Roger, well you could, but I like to finish it so it doesnt look like wood, like the first one I built in the video, yellow and orange, epoxy primer, then automotive paint.
Awesome project Kent. I plan on buying your plans and build one of these myself. Can you give me an estimate, minus the engine and transmission/running gear, what it cost to build the frame, and body? Thanks!
Hey Jacob, thank you! The cost estimate is around $1000-$1200, of course depending where you get your steel and other supplies, dont get your steel at metal mart, lol it ok for little bits, but for large amounts like the tubing you will need, I go to the scrap metal dealers that also sell metal, its waaayyyyy cheaper than those metal convenience stores.
@@kentdixon5716 Hey Kent, one more question, do you know what you spent in total to build the whole car? Chassis, body, suspension, and drive train? I need to get an estimate for my budget before I dive in head first... Thanks!
@@jacobkelly8936 Hey I spent $10,000-$12,000, complete, that was with brand new 290 hp crate, and brand new parts like front axle, vega steering box, radius rods, headers etc, you could save even more if you shop some swap meets.
Hey Stephanie, thanks! Yes the quarter windows, the roof/door header pieces, rear quarter panels, are all shaped with a router. Then after sanding and minor body work, coated with epoxy primer to seal it , then automotive paint.
Hey, yes it has a steel tube inner structure for strength then wooden profile pieces attached to the structure, then it is skinned with 1/8 marine grade plywood.
Hey Mike, this is the part your going to like, the yellow and orange car driving in the video, has a gen 1,sbc 700r4 trans, 8.8 mustang diff, with me in the car, The Backyard Coupe weighed in at 2250 lbs!
Hey Jason, the original Backyard Coupe, didnt have door glass but I am retro fitting it with glass, and the plans which I am working on right now will have door glass. Plans will be out this spring!
Hey Juan, think of a wooden boat thats painted, they actually sit in the water and if primed and painted they can last years, The Backyard Coupe never really sees any bad weather and if properly primed and painted will last quite a few years.
@@kentdixon5716 I really dig your work and your attitude. About a thousand years ago I built forming bucks for some hand built aircraft my brother designed and built. So your fantastic five window made me smile. I am so old, I actually owned a NEW 1968 Plymouth Fury wagon with wood (plastic) grain from front to back. I also ordered it with a 383/four bbl, so I got to surprise one or two fellows with much faster (looking) cars. A "sleeper" I think the kids call it. Your ride is in no way a "sleeper", it's just flat badass.
@@oldhick9047 Thanks again, really appreciate the comments! That sounds like an interesting project, building aircraft! I have always wanted to build a small airplane, but in all honesty I think I would be too scared to fly it lol. You cant be that old, my old man just turned 90, yesterday! anyway 1968 brings back memories for me too, it was my first car 68 Dodge Dart with a slant six, wanted a 340 but couldnt afford it, had many mopars after that though.
@@kentdixon5716 Mopars are King (except 5 windows of course). There are several kit airplanes that you don't need a license to fly man ! I have owned and flown one for years. The FAA has a class of aircraft they call, "Ultra Lites" and some are much more than a kite with a Briggs 5 horse bolted on. Mine is a fully enclosed cockpit, mini Piper J3 cub, at least to look at. No friends allowed of course, the FAA says it's ok to snuff yourself in your homemade shit box but leave your friends and family at home. Which is really no sweat because everyone knows I cobbled it together, so ahh....no takers.
Well, in a nutshell shaping sheet metal to make a car body is a lot more complex than you might think, wood is easy to work with, requires no expensive tools , and is more durable than most people realize. Especially with a steel structure underneath it.
Hey thanks, You mean gussets on the inner structure?, No have not had any issues with any of the steel tubing at all, had to pass 2 complete safety inspections, and the car has been driving on the road for 6 years now.
Thanks!, the thing I like is nobody knows its made of wood except you guys watching the videos, prime it and paint it any color automotive paint you like.
Hey Hot Rodders, thanks to all my subscribers, and comments, I am working hard on the plans, will be out this spring!!
How are the plans coming along.
@@Hemi3310 Hey Terry, about 75% complete, working on the chassis right now, and will also post a new video in a few day s on how it goes together.
@@kentdixon5716 Great can't wait. The wife is the wood worker and she's chomping at the bit to build it. I do all the mechanical and have been gathering the running gear parts.
@@Hemi3310 Hey thats great! I wish my wife was into cars, but a guy cant have everything, she does occasionally complain about not parking in the garage, but lets me use it for the shop so, life is good.
@@Hemi3310 Hey Terry, what are you gonna use for running gear?
You could make some money with this. Contact someone who knows how to make fibreglas molds. They can use your wooden buck as the base for their molds and from their cast as many duplicates of the car as ordered by potential customers.
Eres un artista amigo👍 gracias por compartir, saludos desde España 🇪🇦
Hey , I had a friend help me with the translation. Gracias, agradezco su comentario.!!
Hey hot rodders, hope you enjoy the new video, please leave comments or questions below, and thanks to all my subscribers!!
You are an artist person. I am from Iraq. Please send me the gauge for the dimensions of the iron, please
This has to be the coolest little car ,of wood no less , I,ve seen in a long time . Been building vehicles for many a decade but this I,ve got to try of course with inspiration from you .Thank you so much for putting it on U-tube .Just after selling off a yard of customs accumilated over 40 years and retiring ,now you,ve upset the apple cart and I,m gunna try building a copy of this very neat little car. Thank you again .
Hey Cecil, thanks very much for the comment. I am currently working on the plans for The Backyard Coupe, and will be finished soon, so everyone who is interested can build their own. Feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns you might have, or even to chat, my email is on my channel but I will post it here just in case you missed it, kentdixon_692@msn.com so glad you enjoyed the video, sincerely Kent.
Greetings please, the measurements are height, width and length, please
Kent that is really cool. Your doing an excellent job . Can't wait to see it finished.
Hey Arthur, Thank You! really appreciate the comments.
Looking forward to the release of the plans!
Hey Stephanie, glad you like the car , working hard on the plans!
It even has enough room for tall people 🙂
Yes, Chris actually rode in it, and he is 6,4 and he did fit into The backyard Coupe!
Couple questions. Is there a reason the windshield isn't slanted back? Wouldn't it be better to grind the welds, instead of rounding the wood? You should get a autodarkening welding helmet, Harbor, Northern Tool....around 40 to 50 bucks.. Makes setting the tacks easier. Good video. Can't wait to see the body work. Are you going to fiberglass the stress points?
Hey, not sure what you mean about the windshield slanted bank, The Backyard Coupe was designed as kind of a hybrid , combination model A Ford, 32 ford, and it does have a slightly slanted windshield, wherever I can I like to leave the weld bead a little bit , for strength, it is thin wall. Doesnt hurt the wood to make a little relief cut. Welding helmet ?, well I guess I might some day, I have been welding for many years, Kind of old school. The stress points, yes they will be epoxied , Glad you enjoyed the videos!
Have you ever used the Flexible Plywood? It’s a little spendy, I’ve used 1/2” and it works well when building bars, and islands!
Hey David, No I haven't , I am pretty sure the problem with that would be the glue used to make it , I am sure that it would have interior glue, which would be a no no in this application.
Do you have a blue print?
Hey Dennis, still working on plans, not quite finished yet, but will be soon, If you have any other questions please give me a shout on my email, kentdixon_692@msn.com thanks, Kent.
How can I get the plans?
Hey Scott, they will be available this spring , about 75% complete right now, I will have notifications when finished, thanks.
Nice car, you are an artist
Thank You, plans for building The Backyard Coupe , will be available soon.
Hello Kent. I happened across your channel the other day and my fiancé and I fell in love with your car and have since subscribed and watched all of your videos (and yes I have a beautiful woman that loves to build and work on cars and projects just as much as I do. Lol). We can’t wait for the plans to come out to buy them and build one I already have my drivetrain in the garage I built about 6 months ago and have been looking for a project to put it in and yours is the perfect candidate for it. Keep up the fabulous work and videos we’ll be watching for them and the plans to be available. Thanks Tony & Johnna
Hey Tony and Johnna, Thanks so much for the comments, so glad you like The Backyard Coupe, it really has worked out well for me, and I really enjoy driving it, the affordability of it is a huge bonus, and the main reason I designed it really , it was built for a fraction of the cost of a fiberglass kit car. So nice your wife loves the cars too! mine not so much but I have full use of the shop so, life is pretty good!
Hey Tony & Johnna, please shoot me an email, and I will send you a sample of drawings, and instructions for The Backyard Coupe, so you can get started on the build, thanks Kent.
Can our not fiberglass it when finished and then finish it smooth ideal situation if you know a bat builder with a resin tank
you could, but do not need to, just do the body work, minor filling and sanding then epoxy primer then sand , and paint.
Could you please post where I can get your plans
Hey Nick , currently working on plans, they are about 75% finished , will be out for sure this spring!
They will be for sale online, and I will notify everyone the second they are available, thanks.
@@kentdixon5716 can't wait looking forward
Thank you!
Looks very good, what software, etc did you use to design car? Do you plan on adding door seals and windows for cool weather driving.
Hey Lori, thanks! I didnt use any software to design it, just pencil and paper, then I built a crude model about 3 feet long to get the proportions right, then when it looked like what I wanted I built a life size car just out of 2x4s, even made the frame out of wood, just to save money and get everything mocked up. Then built the yellow and orange one in the videos, I am retro fitting the doors with slide up windows, and your right, the original does not have door seals, but I am retro fitting that as well and the plans will have them, thanks.
I was just thinking you might have been referring to the cad drawing at the beginning of some of the videos, that is a drawing from the plans that I hired a company to do.
So cool
Thanks!
Fantastic!! Love it!...subed and cant wait for the plans to come out! Keep up the great build!
Hey, thanks for the comments, plans are definitely coming!
Please contact me about plans. ronnie_mcintyre@yahoo.com
@@ronniemcintyre7169 Hey Ronnie, working on plans right now, about 75% finished will be out this spring for sure!
will be for sale this spring!
Please let me know when plans are available jvalenze12932@gmail.com thank you
Pretty cool. Great job.
Thanks !
Do you have a Facebook or a way to contact you I have a some questions it’s really important thanks
Hey George, my email is kentdixon_692@msn.com look forward to hearing from you, thanks.
still working on plans.
Nice woody!
Thank you!
Any chance you would sell a set of plans
Hey Steve, absolutely ! I just haven't quite finished them yet they are about 75% complete, will be for sale this spring, thanks.
@@kentdixon5716 contact when ready
@@stevenbrown1613 Will Do!
Hey Steve, shoot me an email, and I can send you sample drawings and instructions for The Backyard Coupe.
Do a woodie
Cool !!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍
Thanks!
You are way more talented than I will ever be
Hey, I doubt that, just obsessed with building a cheap alternative to these expensive modern day hot rods!
Yes sir, one owner and no rust, um I mean termites.
Ha Ha, just think of a wooden boat, but The Backyard Coupe will not see any water to speak of , will last a long time!
Does the trunk lid schematic provide for a rumble seat? Perhaps you can design a second one so that it can interchange with the normal trunk lid when you're not taking passengers.
Sorry no rumble seat.
@@kentdixon5716 Your talented and original!
@@kennethbredow3098 Hey Kenneth, thank you!
I like this all build
Woodstain or veneer weatherproof coats..glossy like boat deck?
Hey Roger, well you could, but I like to finish it so it doesnt look like wood, like the first one I built in the video, yellow and orange, epoxy primer, then automotive paint.
@@kentdixon5716 clocked it@88 looked good like funfair. Good times.pram front wheels out front,on the sides,like railer
Awesome project Kent. I plan on buying your plans and build one of these myself. Can you give me an estimate, minus the engine and transmission/running gear, what it cost to build the frame, and body? Thanks!
Hey Jacob, thank you! The cost estimate is around $1000-$1200, of course depending where you get your steel and other supplies, dont get your steel at metal mart, lol it ok for little bits, but for large amounts like the tubing you will need, I go to the scrap metal dealers that also sell metal, its waaayyyyy cheaper than those metal convenience stores.
@@kentdixon5716 Alright, thanks for the reply and info!
@@kentdixon5716 Hey Kent, one more question, do you know what you spent in total to build the whole car? Chassis, body, suspension, and drive train? I need to get an estimate for my budget before I dive in head first... Thanks!
@@jacobkelly8936 Hey I spent $10,000-$12,000, complete, that was with brand new 290 hp crate, and brand new parts like front axle, vega steering box, radius rods, headers etc, you could save even more if you shop some swap meets.
@@kentdixon5716 perfect. Thank you.
Great work Kent! Do you round out the quarter windows with a router?
Hey Stephanie, thanks! Yes the quarter windows, the roof/door header pieces, rear quarter panels, are all shaped with a router. Then after sanding and minor body work, coated with epoxy primer to seal it , then automotive paint.
Working on flood
Wow
What’s it made of wood?
Hey, yes it has a steel tube inner structure for strength then wooden profile pieces attached to the structure, then it is skinned with 1/8 marine grade plywood.
MAN THAT IS REALLY COOL, HOW MUCH DOES THE BODY WEIGH WHEN ITS COMPLETED
Hey Mike, this is the part your going to like, the yellow and orange car driving in the video, has a gen 1,sbc 700r4 trans, 8.8 mustang diff, with me in the car, The Backyard Coupe weighed in at 2250 lbs!
@@kentdixon5716 MAN THATS A PERFECT WEIGHT , GREAT JOB GREAT VIDEO , I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE T A TRY AS SOON AS MY FLOOR IS PORED IN MY SHOP THIS SPRING,
@@mikecondoluci53 Hey Mike thanks! Yes it really is light, about the same as a cobra kit car, with some good hp, this car will really fly!
Just wondering if the car has door windows would love to build one
Hey Jason, the original Backyard Coupe, didnt have door glass but I am retro fitting it with glass, and the plans which I am working on right now will have door glass. Plans will be out this spring!
Awesome can’t wait for more videos keep up the good work
@@jasonrogers104 Thanks, really appreciate it!
Nice job great video 👍
Hey Jeffery, Thanks!
Can we get plans
Hey Scott, plans are 75% complete, they will be for sale this spring!
How do you preserve the wood from moisture damage?.
Hey Juan, think of a wooden boat thats painted, they actually sit in the water and if primed and painted they can last years, The Backyard Coupe never really sees any bad weather and if properly primed and painted will last quite a few years.
Epoxy primer works really well, then good quality automotive paint.
Wooden airplane wings often use a very thin layer of fiberglass cloth. Sanded out it leaves a glass like finish for paint.
@@SK-tr9ii You could , I have not used this method, might add more expense and cost.
How can I get the plans?
Hey Carl working on plans right now, they are about 75% complete will be out this spring!
I will be selling them online .
@@kentdixon5716 Thank you!
Do you have a build book or plans you sell?
Hi Owen, yes I am currently working on plans for sale, will be out this spring!
Hey Owen, shoot me an email, I can send you a sample of plans and instructions for The Backyard Coupe.
@@kentdixon5716 i don't see your email on your page.
@@owenmilam228 Sorry Owen, I will post it on My Channel, kentdixon_692@msn.com
@@kentdixon5716 rustymetalfab86@gmail.com
Perfectly cool !
Thank you!
@@kentdixon5716 I really dig your work and your attitude. About a thousand years ago I built forming bucks for some hand built aircraft my brother designed and built. So your fantastic five window made me smile.
I am so old, I actually owned a NEW 1968 Plymouth Fury wagon with wood (plastic) grain from front to back. I also ordered it with a 383/four bbl, so I got to surprise one or two fellows with much faster (looking) cars. A "sleeper" I think the kids call it. Your ride is in no way a "sleeper", it's just flat badass.
@@oldhick9047 Thanks again, really appreciate the comments! That sounds like an interesting project, building aircraft! I have always wanted to build a small airplane, but in all honesty I think I would be too scared to fly it lol. You cant be that old, my old man just turned 90, yesterday! anyway 1968 brings back memories for me too, it was my first car 68 Dodge Dart with a slant six, wanted a 340 but couldnt afford it, had many mopars after that though.
@@kentdixon5716 Mopars are King (except 5 windows of course). There are several kit airplanes that you don't need a license to fly man ! I have owned and flown one for years. The FAA has a class of aircraft they call, "Ultra Lites" and some are much more than a kite with a Briggs 5 horse bolted on.
Mine is a fully enclosed cockpit, mini Piper J3 cub, at least to look at. No friends allowed of course, the FAA says it's ok to snuff yourself in your homemade shit box but leave your friends and family at home. Which is really no sweat because everyone knows I cobbled it together, so ahh....no takers.
@@oldhick9047 Im not worried about the license , I have a fear of flying lol.
Why didn't you just make the car out of sheet metal
Well, in a nutshell shaping sheet metal to make a car body is a lot more complex than you might think, wood is easy to work with, requires no expensive tools , and is more durable than most people realize. Especially with a steel structure underneath it.
I thought about asking the same thing.
This is art! Awesome job.
@@garyvs.carsmore4607 Thank You!
@@garyvs.carsmore4607 Thank you very much!
Hope you're using Elmer's wood glue
Cool build Kent. I was wondering if your going to put in any gussets? Especially where the square tubing meet at 90* angle.
Hey thanks, You mean gussets on the inner structure?, No have not had any issues with any of the steel tubing at all, had to pass 2 complete safety inspections, and the car has been driving on the road for 6 years now.
@@kentdixon5716 yep on the inner structure, but if there are no problems then awesome. Loved the videos really great job.
@@outdoorfuninthesun2393 Thanks, I appreciate the comments!
Bad Chad of woodworking.
Thanks!, the thing I like is nobody knows its made of wood except you guys watching the videos, prime it and paint it any color automotive paint you like.