Russell Smith Sculpture

Hot Rod

HotRod: a sculptural pun. In the spirit of shade-tree mechanics and American Ingenuity, a Mossberg .22 rifle becomes the foundation of a HotRod Roadster.

Hotrod Interior

Gearshift is the trigger. Base of 5 shot clip can be seen in center top of dashboard.

Hot Rod Front

Bullet exits through the crank hole in the grill, and gasses escaping from the drilled barrel exit through the exhaust headers.

Hot Rod Bottom

Pulling rear bumper cocks the slide. What once was the top of the rifle barrel is visible between rear bumper and engine crankcase.

Hotrod Workbench

The remaining series of pictures show Hotrod under construction.

Hot Rod Body Frame

Hotrod frame prior to adding body panels, with steering and rear axles.

Hotrod frame and engine

Frame, showing rifle section with Engine slid over pierced barrel. Pulling the rear bumper cocks the slide.

Rolling Chassis

Frame, engine and wheels before attachment of body. The rifle barrel forms the backbone of the piece, and the 5-shot clip can be clearly seen.

Ejection Chute

Showing roughed-out body with ejection chute for spent shell casings

Engine Block and Body

In progress, roughed engine and body.

Hotrod Steering

Slide is back and clip is removed so chamber can be seen. A spring serves as the universal joint for steering.