Long Distance Rubber Band Car

Because the rubber bands in this "tricycle style" assembly rotate in the same axis as the wheel, it is possible to rotate the drive wheel dozens of times per rubber band. The video below shows a thirty foot run (would have been longer, but the transition from driveway to asphalt was too high).

Cardboard

Glue

(2) pencils

(2) eye hooks

Create the drive wheel and the body (cut 3 wheels and 2 of the body). Glue the wheels together to form one wheel and glue the two body pieces together to form the body.

Cut (12) 1 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 inch squares. Glue them together in groups of three. Drill a 5/8 inch hole in the center. These are the axle supports.

Glue two of the axle supports to the body. Be sure that the wheel has room to rotate.

Glue two axle supports on the bottom rear of the body.

Cut (2) two inch diameter wheels. Insert a pencil through one of the wheels and glue it into place.

Insert the pencil through the rear axle supports.

Glue a two inch wheel to the other end of the pencil.

Cut four rubber band end supports as shown. Glue them together in two groups of two, then glue the supports onto the body in line with the holes for the main wheel's axle.

Cut a pencil three inches long. Drill a 1/16 inch hole in each end.

Insert the pencil through one axle support, then through the wheel, then the other axle support. Apply glue to both sides of the wheel where the pencil penetrates the wheel.

Thread small eye hooks into the pencil on both ends.

Add rubber bands to each side.

I found this to be a bit "front heavy," so I marked three inches of the body for removal.

Remove the excess from the front of the body.

If you want more range, extend the "wings" (rubber band holders) so that longer rubber bands may be accommodated. I'm pretty sure that 100 feet of range could be achieved--if you can keep the thing running in a straight line.