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Colorful Cardboard Creations
This month’s “Readers And Their Rigs” is a little bit different. Maston Harris and LaWayne Coleman’s rigs can’t be driven - in fact, they’re just models. Maston and LaWayne have been constructing unique cardboard trucks for many years. You might remember a feature we did about these two guys called “Hobby Turned Obsession” (June 2000) spotlighting their work and showing a few examples. Maston and LaWayne recently began building their creations using colored cardboard. In the past they tried painting the cardboard but it never looked good. The color has added a whole new dimension to their models. Before, all of the trucks were “cardboard color” brown - which was not very interesting. But now, they can use any color of cardboard they find. Considering the fact that nothing on these rigs is purchased, it’s all found around the house or at warehouses Maston makes deliveries to, these trucks are pretty incredible. Completely hand built, piece by piece, the tractors vary in size but are typically 1 to 2 feet long. Some of the options their rigs have featured include swiveling seats with moveable armrests, drawers that pull open, detachable sleepers and headache racks, simulated hardwood floors, doors that open, hoods that tilt, transfers that dump, booms that operate (tow trucks) and much more. Granted, these trucks are not “perfect” by any stretch of the imagination, but that’s okay - it’s part of their art. Pictured here is a yellow Pete hooked to a (simulated) stainless reefer. On the Contents Page (7) is a decked out blue Kenworth W900. All their rigs have a complete engine under the hood and a full interior with all the amenities. The attention to detail is amazing - and it’s all cardboard (chrome is simulated with aluminum foil). The guys have been doing this as a hobby for over 20 years. When Maston isn’t building rigs he’s driving one as an owner operator running dry freight in Southern California. Maston comes up with the ideas and collects the cardboard, while LaWayne’s specialty is the construction. Together, these two friends have created a whole new art which we think is pretty cool. |
