[John Wagenseil]

Hmmmm.

Regarding prior posts about springs. I am probably going against the spirit of paper modeling philosophy, since I am seeking permanence in models built with impermanent medium. I look upon paper modeling as using paper and raw materials scrounged from around the house or cheap items that are easily obtainable and have been re-purposed (tooth pics, straight pins, paper clips, chopstix and bamboo skewers, ect.) Using cannibalized dried up ball point pens as scribers seems to be a universally accepted usage in paper modeling.
These pens also have another valuable internal component, the SPRING.
If the spring from clic type ball pen was used instead of accordian fold paper in posting above, would be perfect simulation of a car's shocks.
I would make one addition, run drill small holes in each end of the shock. put a big stopper knot on one end of thread, run it through the center of the tube/spring assembly, and pull tight until desired amount of pre-tension was present and tie off.

The next challenge beyond working tracks and suspension using home made and scrounged components, would be a power source. Two possible ways to do it, a pull back an release where a stretched rubber band or compressed spring gives the vehicle an initial kick, or a real rubber band motor, where twisted or stretched rubber band drives the axle. Does this set up need a step down transmission, reinforcement so the tensioned rubber band does not tear the paper model apart, and a clutch so it can free wheel?

There once was a commercial paper model of a Mercedes that had a rubber band motor. It was rather pricey, so I did not buy one, and now they are OOP and unobtainable. Does any one have the plans that show how the model was powered, that they could share?

I remain impressed with the tread links, somewhere in there is the potential for an amazing office desk toy.