Cadillac created from blocks of wood looks ready for a cruise from top to bottom

Created with a jigsaw and a wooden chisel, the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz has open doors and functional suspension.

Woodworking is easy to learn but takes years to master. Ask any parent who has modeled a Pinewood Derby car and they will tell you that the only thing a child’s imagination lacks is the skill required to bring it to life. With enough practice, you can learn how to create extraordinary, intricate, and realistic objects like the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz in this video on the Awesome Woodcraft YouTube channel.

Start with a series of rough cuts with a jigsaw to form the sides, doors, front grille and rear section of the car. Once the cuts are complete, the artist uses wood chisels to round out the features of the body and grill. The iconic tail fins of the Cadillac Eldorado take shape, as well as features such as the fenders and doors.

Instead of carving the entire car out of a single block of wood, he uses multiple blocks, starting with cardboard templates and then cutting and shaping each panel to fit precisely. The wood car panel gaps put the original 1959 Eldorado to shame.

When he doesn’t have a template, the artist draws details like the shape of the lights and the pattern of the grille and rear bumper. Then it’s on to the interior as the dashboard, seats and door panels take shape. The engine compartment is next, with the engine taking shape before it is covered with a hood.

The wheels are formed using a lathe and a variety of chisels. Each tire is rounded, followed by the wheel and hub cap. The tires receive a coat of black paint and are the only parts not left with a natural wood finish. Somehow, despite the lack of color, the wooden Cadillac conveys a high degree of realism.

The most impressive feature is the suspension. You can’t see it looking at the car, but underneath, there’s a wooden wonder with steel springs and hinges that actuate the steering and suspension travel.

Finally, the Cadillac is assembled and it’s amazing how well all the pieces fit together. Awesome Woodcraft has many incredibly realistic vehicles on their YouTube channel, including a DeLorean replica from Back to the future and Dom’s Charger from Fast 8.