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Semi-Review: Ridemakerz!

If you don't know what Ridemakerz is (iz?), here's the quickie description.  Take Build-a-Bear Workshop, and replace the cute fluffy animals with cars and trucks.  Get it?

About the size of a 1:18 scale model, the Ridemakerz cars and trucks are based on production and concept cars, a couple of Chip Foose designed models, and a work/fire/dump truck thrown in as well.  The look is caricatured, with exaggerated features and proportionally enormous wheels, but each model is faithful to the model upon which it is based, and ranges from Mini Cooper to Ford Super Chief with all manner of muscle car, sports car, and truck in between.

The process is very straightforward, starting with the basic building blocks of body, chassis, and powerplant.  You pick out the body first, select from street or monster chassis, and decide if you want to spring for an R/C or be the motor yourself.  From there, you select tires and wheels, and then it's off to the assembly line.  With some professional assistance, you bolt the basics together.  Then it's off to the custom shop.

With your completed ride in hand, you then stare down the wall of accessories.  Need a brush guard?  Got it.  Want some fancy exhaust tips?  Got that too.  Want side mount jet engines?  You betcha!  All of the accessories attach easily, and can be removed on the spot if you change your mind.  Many of the parts attach with magnets, making for some fun, quick, changes before you ever leave the store.  And leaving the store is hard to do!  With so many choices, I turned into a kid again and wanted not only to keep  trying on accessories, but I wanted to build more rides, too!  Hmm.. My birthday comes up in August...

I ended up building a Ford Super Chief in dark grey, on a street "freewheel" chassis, added a turbocharged V8 that sticks way out of the hood, some chunky chrome wheels, tires with red flames in the grooves of the tread, a roof rack with lights, two giant nitrous tanks in the bed, and red lights under the body.  My daughter told me I had to name it.  His name is Henry.  I've already decided that I need to go back and build something else totally different, but I don't know what I'll name the next one!

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