This Guy Is Crazy Enough To Build A 1930s Race Car

It’s never too late to own a dream car. But if someone can’t buy their dream car, they might as well just build their own. This is the case of Frans, whose love of old IndyCar race cars inspired him to build something similar. Frans built a classic of classic cars – a bold cruiser that pays tribute to the vintage era of car racing.

Building An Indycar-Inspired Vintage Racer

Hailing from Bilthoven, The Netherlands, Frans is a huge fan of the old IndyCar race cars, especially their long nose and shorter tail. He tried building his own IndyCar-inspired vehicle but he didn’t want to make a replica because the vintage car racer had to be his own. The opportunity came when he found a 1930 Nash 88 car on the Internet. He purchased the Nash 88 and had it shipped from North Carolina to the Netherlands.

Stripping the car to chassis, Frans started by mounting a chair in the middle. Then he built a sort of bird cage and then placed blankets to see “if the balance was okay.” Then, Frans tapped a metal artist to craft a body for his Nash project. It wasn’t just a mere patchwork since a serious amount of attention to detail went into the creation of the car. With that in mind, the form takes inspiration from knight helmets in the Middle Ages.

A 1930s Racer With Custom-Designed Body

While Frans’ Nash 88 race car features a custom and hand-crafted body, it retained the engine, the gearbox, and the drivetrain. He changed to 18-inch wheels because they were too small. Interestingly, the “engine bay” of the car is quite easy to open and lift, allowing Frans to fix the vehicle without much of a hassle. He also crafted an exhaust pipe that comes out in a different way in a different place in the car.

Frans called the car Dutchie after his own Dutch heritage and then borrowed its mascot image from a vehicle he spotted in a junkyard. As for the paintwork, Frans painted the car by himself. He also put on some rust to make Dutchie look like it has been in a barn for around 70 years. Interestingly, Dutchie features 16 spark plugs meant for airplanes.

A Four-Year Project Now On The Road

It took Frans around four years to complete his project. Proud of his creation, he drives Dutchie whenever he is in a good mood, which happens quite often. Dutchie is an impressive creation but it’s not for the faint-hearted.