Cardboard Ambulance

I was in the hospital with a very bad case of covid from Sept 26, 2021 until Jan 25th 2022. Almost 5 months I was on a ventilator and given up to die three times. While in there once I came out of a 30 day induced coma and gained use of my hands again I began doing drawings which my nurses enjoyed so much they hung them up in the hospital and made copies of them at physical therapy. I told them that once I got able to I would do a craft project for them and send it up there. So April I started on it and finished it up just recently towards end of June. I think they will enjoy it as well.

Cardboard, hole punch, craft foam, crafting wire, toothpicks, acrylic paints, thin plastic sheets, hot glue, elmers glue, super glue, pencil, scissors, knife, paint and gel pens.

I began by gathering up some cardboard and sketching the side panels out to the desired shape and size using hot glue to secure everything in place. Then I put a few coats of acrylic craft paint on and cut the wheels out to the desired size.

Next after getting the basic body structure and frame I cut the wheels out of cardboard. The inner hub which supports the wheel via toothpicks I used a hole punch to fit the wooden axle through. After trimming the toothpick spokes I used a generous amount of elmers glue all around the spokes and placed a rubber band around them. Once dry I painted the tires black and the wheels same color as the body. Some of the other stuff I worked on while waiting for glue to dry is windshield, dash, headlights and roof panels.

Now that I have the wheels mounted I start working on the fenders and running boards. Once finished I put several coats of acrylic paint letting the base color dry before adding the black and gold trim using gel and paint pens. I also did lots of little finishing details such as the instrument cluster which I use a toothpick to paint the small numbers and details on before putting a plastic sheet over it to give it a more realistic look. I make the steering wheel and shifter and all the other little details you can see in the final pictures and video.

Since this needs to be handled carefully I secured it inside a display case as you can see in video. I ordered some little brass custom engraved nameplates with some information so it will present itself well. Turned out pretty much how I had envisioned it which is rare for something made from scratch and on the fly process. I already have an idea of the theme for my next one. Hope you enjoyed.