Go Baby Go - Maserati Gran Cabrio Car Modifications (Build Day Manual)

The Maserati Gran Cabrio 12V cars were electrically and structurally modified for 10 children through the Go Baby Go program. The electrical modifications involved removing the traditional gas pedal and replacing it with assistive switches from Ablenet. The switch was selected to best support each child and 3 switches were used in total; Ablenet Big Red Switch, Ablenet Jelly Bean Switch, Ablenet Large Candy Corn Switch. The structural modifications involved a PVC piping frame that was bolted to the car with a flutter board attached for a back rest and side bars with pool noodles for side/arm support. There were additional case-by-case modifications made for each child.

The instructions outlined below were in the manual that were given to the build team on the build day. However, the team started to modify the cars before the event day to ensure that they could be completed. The instructions for the prep steps and additional modifications can be found here: Go Baby Go - Maserati Gran Cabrio Car Modifications (Prep Steps & Additional Modifications).

Overall Modification Steps

1. Assembling Steering Column
2. Create Two Standalone PVC Structures
3. Connect Structures to Back of Car
4. Create and Test Arm Support
5. Connect Corner Braces to PVC Structure
6. Finish Joint Connections
7. Extension of Back Support
8. 3-Point Harness and Strap Connection
9. Finish Assembling Car

Electrical Components and Tools:

1. 12V Maserati Gran Cabrio Car + Parent remote
2. Ablenet Large Candy Corn or Ablenet Big Red or Ablenet Jelly Bean Switch
3. 2 x AAA Remote Control Batteries
4. 0.2mm^2 Wires
5. Electrical Tape
6. Solder

1. Soldering Iron + Stand + Sponge
2. Wire Strippers
3. Voltmeter
4. Terminal Strip
5. 12V LED Strip

Structural Components and Tools:

1. Universal Body Elastic Strap
2. 1 x ABS Circle Plate
3. 48 x Self-Drilling Tap Screws (#8 x 5/8")
4. 4 x Machine Bolts (#10-24 x 2.5")
5. 4 x Machine Bolts (#10-24 x 2")
6. 4 or 8* x Machine Bolts (#10-24 x 3/4")
7. 1 x Wood Screws (#8 x 3/4")
8. 2* x Conduit U clamps
9. 25 or 32* x Washers (#10)
10. 13 or 16* x Nylon Lock Nuts (#10-24)
11. 2 x Corner Braces (2" x 5/8")
12. 2 or 4* x 1" PVC End Caps
13. 2 x 2" PVC Straight Pipe
14. 2 x 29 3/4" PVC Straight Pipe
15. 2 x 7 1/4” PVC Straight Pipe
16. 2 x 6 3/4” PVC Straight Pipe
17. 2 x 6 1/8” PVC Straight Pipe
18. 2 x 5 3/8” PVC Straight Pipe
19. 1 x 5 3/4” PVC Straight Pipe
20. 1 x 12" x 0.5" PVC Straight Pipe**
21. 6 x 1" PVC Elbow Pipe
22. 4 x 1" PVC Tee Pipe
23. 1 x Flutter Board
24. 2 x 12" Jumbo Pool Noodles
25. Duct Tape
26. Hot Glue Sticks
27. 5 x 12" Zip ties
28. 2 x 4 1/2" Velcro Strips (soft and rough side)

1. Bolt Cutter
2. Power Drill + Batteries + Chargers
3. Phillips Screwdrivers
4. #2 Robinson Screwdrivers
5. Robinson Drill Bit
6. 7/32" Drill Bit
7. 3/8" Wrench
8. Exacto Knife
9. Measuring Tape
10. Scissors
11. Hot Glue Gun

*These materials are for the T-bar modification that is explained in the Prep Steps and Additional Modifications post listed above.

**This is the only PVC pipe that is 0.5" and not 1 inch. If not specified, the diameter of the PVC pipe is 1 inch.

**click on the photos to zoom in