I have been fascinated with the older generation style pedal cars. Obviously being to big to ride one myself it was always just a interest with no need. Now having a son my dream comes to life of buying restoring and gifting a pedal car with a purpose.

Sit back and relax look through the photos and I hope everyone enjoys this instructable.

Step 1: The Hunt

While searching endlessly online and marketplace I came up empty handed. I was told about the Hillsville VA antique show and this is where I found it.

1960's AMF fire chief car 503!

In decent shape over all. Missing hub caps and the bell all parts mostly there a little bit of rust but was not through or missing and metal!

Step 2: Testing It Out!

I couldn't wait to show it to him! (Just Look at that smile!)

I know he is a bit young but he will grow into it.

I will say he sat in it and looked like he knew what he was doing.

Step 3: Keeping It Original(ish)

The original lettering is painted on I will be sanding all this off and replacing with a custom / exact decal.

I took as many pictures as I could measuring in as many ways as i could to maybe help someone else down the road.

Im sure these are out there for purchase but I will be adding my sons name to them as well so went with the custom route and local printer.

Step 4: Separating Body From Chassis

Pretty simple

4 bolts on the seat.

2 bolts both sides of fender

2 bolts lower under grill

Remove steering wheel and slide apart!

Step 5: Wheel and Tire Removal

To remove the wheels you have to pinch the lock washers. I used a pair of vice grips pinch and lock them down and start pulling and rotating and should pull right off.

Pulling the tires from the rims start on on corner and slight stretch over the lip once you get it started should just keep working its way around.

Step 6: Disassembly Pictures

Here is a few more disassembly pictures close up.

One thing i was amazed to find out was the pedal cars are one wheel drive. Only one wheel is actually locked to the axle.

Step 7: Sand Blasting Parts

I have personally never sandblased a thing.

I borrowed the harbor freight cabinet and used my works compressor and went to town.

It all in all was pretty painless but a little time consuming if you are as picky as I was.

Very happy with the out come at this point!

Step 8: SANDING AND PAINTING

I am sorry but all the pictures here are gone.

I will jump to the photo after it came out painted and before buffing.

Step 9: Buffing

buffing out any dirt or imperfections that may have happened during paint or clearing.

Look at her starting to shine!

Step 10: Assembly Time

Here you can finally see all the parts laid out together and how good it all turned out.

I tried to be sure each piece was taken care of even though hardly any of it will be seen again after this step.

Step 11: Bolting the Car Together

Here is where you can finally see it all coming back to life!

Step 12: Adding Decals

I got my custom decals to be identical is inside and almost a replica but I wanted this to be special to my son so I changed the car number from 501 to 2018 his birth year and added his name to the front fender.

I want this to be a collector to him so i did not mind these little changes.

I used Gtape as its a solid tape and leaves no residue. Love this stuff