How to Build a Dracula Coffin Car

Choose the car size. There are a lot of variables to consider, especially the availability and cost of tools and materials. This focuses on a relatively inexpensive form of transportation, using a go-cart base for our coffin car.

Go-carts can be found using various means in assorted states of mechanical reliability. Check your local newspaper's classified ads or the Internet. Often, items such as this can be found at Craigslist.org or eBay.com, but watch out for scams.

For the coffin, you will simply need some wood, wood screws, and paint from your local hardware store. You could use a real coffin, but that would be much more difficult and expensive. And finding a diamond-shape, real coffin like the ones in the classic Dracula movies would be next to impossible.

Build your coffin. Consider the dimensions of your go-cart. If part of your car interferes with the desired coffin shape, you can cut relief holes in the coffin, redesign your coffin, or modify your cart. Modifying your cart would probably be the most difficult option, so double-check all measurements before cutting and assembling your plywood. You can use cardboard as a model to see whether your design will fit before cutting the wood. Cutting mistakes and redesigns can be expensive. Don't bother building a bottom to this coffin. Only the sides and top are needed.

Be sure when building your coffin to allow access to the engine, gas tank and other necessary parts.

Mount the coffin to the cart. The easiest way is to use a couple of 2x4s. Lay the two 2x4s across the top of the go-cart's deck so they extend from the sides of the cart. Mount one just in front of the engine, and the other in front of the gas and brake pedals if possible. Make sure the functioning of the pedals is not hindered. You can now rest your coffin body on top of these 2x4s. Once you have the body evenly positioned, you can trim the 2x4s and screw the body onto them.

Paint your car. This will be easier if you remove the coffin body from the cart. If your go-cart isn't already black, you might want to paint any areas that will be visible after final assembly. After the paint dries, reassemble the body onto the go-cart chassis.