A RETIRED train driver has used his skills to create a perfectly cool theme park attraction – he uses it to run errands and bring smiles.
The creatively brilliant engineer also built a drivable pedal car for agricultural exhibitions.
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Dan Hryhorcoff, a former mechanical engineer from Pennsylvania, is famous in his community for creating life-size, fully drivable creations to bring people joy.
When the pandemic hit and Hryhorcoff was confined to his home, he took up a personal project – a totally cool bumper car.
“I owned a machine shop for 35 years and built things for other people, and when I retired I didn’t want to build things for other people anymore. So I built my own toys,” he told the ABC affiliate. WPVI-TV.
In 2017, he was featured in Farm Show Magazine displaying his drivable replica of a Murray General pedal car using an engine and transmission parts from a 1997 Ford Ranger.
“I built it just for fun,” he said the exit.
Although it was fully operational and could accommodate four passengers, it was not road legal – but it was, and still is, used at concerts and festivals.
By combining a three-wheeled motorcycle and the front end of a 2007 Chevy Aveo, he did it.
He said his creation, inspired by a 1953 bumper car, came about during one of his many trips to a local theme park with his nieces and nephews.
During lockdown, it was the perfect time for Hryhorcoff to be creative.
“This was my Covid project,” he said.
“I wanted to get away from people and I needed a project to do, and I thought, ‘Well, [the bumper car] It’s perfect.'”
He said he could have used a four-wheeled platform from a car, but chose a three-wheeled motorcycle to stay as close to a real bumper car as possible.
By using the front end of a 2007 Chevy Aveo, he was able to fit within the guidelines of what makes a vehicle street legal in Pennsylvania.
“It has everything you need to make it a street-legal rider,” he said.
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Occasionally, he said, he’ll use it to run simple errands or grab a coffee, and that’s when locals will give him the thumbs up for a job well done.
“I get a lot of smiles and laughs,” he said.
Hryhorcoff said he has fun with the bumper car for now, but is looking forward to his next project.
“You have to have projects,” he continued.
“You have to have more things to do than you can handle. Maybe someone else will have fun with it when I’m tired.”
What makes a vehicle “road worthy”?
In Pennsylvania, where Hryhorcoff lives, certain items must be equipped on the vehicle to make it roadworthy.
To be considered roadworthy, a motorcycle must contain these items before registration:
- A muffler that works constantly and is in working order. This aims to limit carbon emissions and reduce engine noise.
- The suspension system must undergo a visual and functional inspection.
- Tires must be functional (i.e., not cracked, bald, or the incorrect size or pressure).
- The wheels must be tight and not bent.
- The motorcycle must have working front and rear lights, including functional turn signals.
- The electrical system must be functional to turn on the front and rear lights
- The chassis must be secure, without cracks or breaks
- Fuel systems must be operational to limit pollution and fire risk.
- The motorcycle must have a functional speedometer
- Must have movable and functional side mirrors
Source: Knight Motorcycle insurance
Viewers of the channel’s YouTube video coverage loved Hryhorcoff’s creativity.
“This is probably the best custom car I’ve ever seen,” they wrote.
“Very creative.”
Another person couldn’t help but notice another project that was casually revealed in his garage in the footage.
“What about the huge children’s fire truck that’s also in his garage?”
Someone noticed the careful craftsmanship he put into his work.
“The attention to detail is remarkable,” they said.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
