Notebook: Dave Miltenberger’s Customized Art in Motion Car

IndianaRacing.net member Dave Miltenberger (aka “damilt”) of Marshall, MI has completed a very cool customization of one of the “Art in Motion” cars originally created for the 2003 Indianapolis 500 Festival.

Purchased from the Studebaker Museum in South Bend via eBay for just $50, Dave figures he has spent about two months of spare time and about $350 to convert the car to the basic Kelley Racing paint scheme from 2001.

Here are some “before” photos:

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The car is approximately 3/4 scale, and measures about 140″ in length and 60″ in width, with a wheelbase of 84″. It was made with a steel frame and polystyrene foam body, and is coated with fiberglass or some kind of resin. The base is plywood coated with fiberglass.

Here are some “during” photos:

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To finish off the project, Dave added decals purchased through Next Day Signs in Indianapolis. He also added 5″ casters to the base that allow him to move the car around without assistance.

Finally, here are the “after” photos:

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So why did Dave take on a project like this? Does he have a screw loose? Well of course he does, but then again don’t we all!? He says he may use it as an attention getter for his trade show booth, or could put it on his front lawn with a scarecrow pit crew for the town’s Scarecrow Festival. Another idea (and a fine one too!) involves putting a keg cooler in the base and running a tap line up through the car with a tap at the back where the starter would go on a real car.

Congrats to Dave for completing such an outstanding and original project. Most of all, thanks for sharing it with everyone!