00sheppard@gmail.com MARIA DEL CAMINO is a love poem to the car and Her demise. This is a project acknowledging our relationship to the car as a tool; a social activator, altering the environment and our sense of freedom and adventure. The body of Maria del Camino is a modified ’59 El Camino. With help of many friends over the course of a year, She has been drilled with tens of thousands of holes, to create a pixelated image of the False Maria/Machine Man from the film Metropolis by Fritz Lang. Last year She was mounted to a hydraulic tracked excavator and crawled along at 3 mph. She debuted at Burning Man, brought up the rear of the Green Prix, and was exhibited in the front of “Out of the Garage” for Zero One in San Jose. She will go again this year to Burning Man, and then onward! Bruce TombTumblr (3.0; @mariadelcamino)http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/<h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span>I’m featured in the first few seconds of this video. After that you’re on your own.</span></h6> <p><span data-ft='{"type":3}' class="messageBody"><a id="umo1la_9" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Del-Camino/322023796792"><img src="https://s-external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCZOX90eoujrZJa&w=130&h=130&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FesWTjNk_NQQ%2Fhqdefault.jpg" class="img"/></a></span></p> <p><span data-ft='{"type":3}' class="messageBody"><span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWTjNk_NQQ"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWTjNk_NQQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWTjNk_NQQ</a></a></span><span><br/></span></span></p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/12627324431http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/12627324431Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:33:00 -0800<p><span><a href="http://www.boysofbonneville.com/"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu1mwlbK9B1qam94b.png"/></a></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.boysofbonneville.com/">http://www.boysofbonneville.com/</a></p> <p><span><a href="http://www.boysofbonneville.com/">The Boys of Bonneville</a></span><span> will be screening at </span><span><a href="http://www.nimbyspace.org/">NIMBY</a></span><span>, co-presented with the Oakland Underground Film Festival, Satuday night, 7:30 PM. </span><br/>There will be some vehicles built for speed (salt flat racers) on display, and in contrast these beautiful purpose built machines, <a href="http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/">Maria del Camino</a> will be demonstrating the opposte of speed.<br/><br/>Hope to see you there!</p> <p>Bruce</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/12245709453http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/12245709453Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:20:00 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jyc6CY31qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jyc6CY31qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The dust has finally settled from the push for Burning Man.</p> <p>I am now trying to finish up at least two more canvases – shrouds for the Hatchery exhibition this coming weekend. In the process of pulling these rust prints I realize that, in fact, I really need to do four more: The arms down the full length of the side to the crutch.</p> <p>The most important thing about showing these canvases now incomplete even is to see if the head, bust, & shoulders have an presence at the full height.  The rust stains may not be visible.</p> <p>Since arriving back from the playa, I have been consumed with cleaning and reorganizing.  With Mary still out of commission from her broken collar bone, everything will take longer.</p> <p>I have slowly been collecting up photos from the various people, since Mary couldn’t be out on the playa much she has few photos, but I have fond memories of the numerous outings made with others.  This burn was quite a bit different than last.  More driving, but I saw less art.  Maria is still slow, even with the high speed hooked up, most people can walk as fast as she goes.</p> <p>The fiberglass seems to be fine, although I think I need another month to finish it properly.  I am reluctant to do a pink gel coat.  Color can be achieved with lights at night.  The dawn/dusk scenarios color her well.  She will remain most luminous w/o the pigmented gel coat.</p> <p>On several occasions, we had a full load of eight.  All of the functionality was there – lift, tilt, speed, counter rotation/spin.  She seemed stable in all cases.</p> <p>Most of all, I derived great satisfaction from giving rides to friends and strangers.  The experience of the dream flying in slow motion above the playa with a group is what I have been wanting for so long.  The surreal landscape, the dust.  On one occasion late in the day just before sunset, there was an inversion layer that pushed the dust down low the playa.  Riding – elevated – the experience was nearly that of flying low over fog. The ground seemed far away.</p> <p>I hope to install hydraulic accumulators next year. These will cushion the ride and contribute to the quality of the experience.  A bit more dreamy.</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588497413http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588497413Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:13:24 -0700<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jo1WE6R1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jo1WE6R1qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jo1WE6R1qb8nseo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jo1WE6R1qb8nseo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Playa Load Out 2011</p> <p>Captions and photo credits coming ASAP</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588370399http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588370399Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:07:13 -0700<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo6_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo7_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo8_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo9_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0jg7Wbml1qb8nseo10_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><span> <p>On the Playa 2011 - Part 2</p> <p>Captions and photo credits coming ASAP</p> <br/></span></p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588276693http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588276693Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:02:29 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo6_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo7_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo8_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo9_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0j2snfF81qb8nseo10_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>On the Playa 2011 - Part 1</p> <p><span> <p>Captions and photo credits coming ASAP</p> <br/></span></p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588101283http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10588101283Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:54:00 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0im4T5pY1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0im4T5pY1qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0im4T5pY1qb8nseo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0im4T5pY1qb8nseo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Arrival on Playa 2011</p> <p><span>Captions and photo credits coming ASAP</span></p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10587862111http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10587862111Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:44:00 -0700<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0ihfhWHu1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0ihfhWHu1qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0ihfhWHu1qb8nseo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>NIMBY LOAD OUT 2011</p> <p><span> <p>Captions and photo credits coming ASAP</p> </span></p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10587795555http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10587795555Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:41:00 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0fxghNas1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Detailing the “tub” edge.</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586332557http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586332557Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:46:28 -0700<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0fvfuHGB1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Sanding between layers.</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586295414http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586295414Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:45:15 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0fvyLUKD1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>More sanding.</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586304891http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586304891Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:45:00 -0700<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0fuiNH7a1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Jomo detailing the dashboard edge.</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586279567http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586279567Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:44:42 -0700<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0fth2aOJ1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p> Jason wets out a piece of cloth.</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586261745http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586261745Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:44:05 -0700<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls0frqAhRQ1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Jomo and Bruce do hand lay up of the “tub.” The formwork can be seen through the translucent fiberglass.</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586229345http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/10586229345Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:43:02 -0700<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzbtu6EgS1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> Fiberglass in progress. Photo: Jomo<br/><br/> <img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzbtu6EgS1qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> Fiberglass in progress. Photo: Jomo<br/><br/> <img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzbtu6EgS1qb8nseo3_500.jpg"/><br/> Fiberglass in progress. Photo: Jomo<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzbtu6EgS1qb8nseo4_500.jpg"/><br/> Fiberglass in progress. Photo: Brian<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzbtu6EgS1qb8nseo5_500.jpg"/><br/> Fiberglass in progress. Photo: Brian<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzbtu6EgS1qb8nseo6_500.jpg"/><br/> Fiberglass in progress. Photo: Brian<br/><br/> <img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzbtu6EgS1qb8nseo7_500.jpg"/><br/> Fiberglass in progress. Photo: Brian<br/><br/> <p><strong>Catching Up - Maria rolls outa here in 13 days!</strong></p> <p>6/25/2011</p> <p>Working alone today, finished the mock up for the carrier guide on the boom. The hydraulic lines were also fitted so they can be ordered. The resolution and movement of the lines is more elegant than I was expecting. Too bad they will be hidden for the most part.</p> <p>JP & Jason worked through the week rorganizing and cleaning the shop. JP built a solid work table w/steel top and a movable vise stand.</p> <p>Jason finished the weld prep for extending the blade tips to full track width. JP should weld next week.</p> <p>6/26/2011</p> <p>Fabricated the aluminum guides for the hydraulic hose carrier.</p> <p>Went to SFMOMA beforehand to see “Para Design.” The Toilet and High Tank were on display. A bit crowded/display wise. Same room that Gnomon was in. The seat has aged to dark brown - shit. The decrepid hose was not secured well to the toilet should have a bailing wire twisted. It is the oldest piece in the show: 1987!</p> <p>7/7/2011</p> <p>JP, Jason and I attending to numerous details: rallying to start up the engine. Refilling hydraulic tank and lines. Engine starts easily but pin hole leak-puncture in the fuel filter sprays fuel all over - potential disaster! Replaced old fuel line as well - possible leak.</p> <p>We rig up temporary control sticks for spool valves to test lift & tilt circuits. Air is bled from lines. We first test the lift - success!! Then tilt - success!! Then combinations for standing & flying! All work remarkably well. I climb in/on and jump all around. More testing needed with more load, and then to drive her …</p> <p>7/9/2011</p> <p>JP & I work all day - rapid prototyping battery box mounted at front near tanks. Drive linkage installed. First drive in flying mode. Scary as all hell! Clody took video and stills. I encouraged her to use security camera footage if possible.</p> <p>7/10/2011</p> <p>Jason & I cleaned up some. I worked on the tilt/lift controller linkage. Rusty & Kelsey came by to video Maria in the daylight.</p> <p>7/16/2011</p> <p>Mounted control tower after working all week on configuring the bell cranks and modifying Komatsu parts.</p> <p>JP & Jason attended to details all week.</p> <p>I begin to build the mold for the fiberglass tub. It feels great to shift to another mode of working — wood. I love having to think insideout, but this is a real puzzler. Building from the top, but planning for removal from the bottom. Floor cross members done. Taped off/marked tops of doors to be reshaped with fair curves.</p> <p>7/18/2011</p> <p>Margaret & Brian stop by after Mary leaves. Two show & tells in one day. It feels good to be at this point. I spend the rest of the day fitting floor panels. A very curious and inigmatic shape results from floor intersecting plane of top of X frame.</p> <p>7/19/2011</p> <p>Frustrating day - engine won’t start. It is keeping us from a long list of other tasks … mold work is slow - can’t figure out detail @ tub top edge.</p> <p>7/21/2011</p> <p>The tower controller finally/finely adjusted for the tilt/lift. All other connections made, Testing in NIMBY lot - then a beer run in full flying mode to corner store. Mayhem on the street with people stopping and staring!</p> <p>7/22/2011</p> <p>Hi speed sticks on. Brian Maltby consults about how to interchange hi-speed spool valve from old unit to the larger one in use.</p> <p>8/2/2011</p> <p>Mold for the interior fiberglass is progressing well with both John & Jason assisting. Tom & Zorca helped on Sunday cutting out fiberglass pieces from the larger sheets. Trying to find a boat yard that can do the gel coat. I may go with linear polyurethane as a less expensive/time saving alternate.</p> <p>8/11/2011</p> <p>Fiberglass work officially begins!</p> <p>8/13/2011</p> <p>Jomo (he’s back!), JP & I continue prep, foathoning, laminating tub edge dash & pilars. Andrew and Ethan come by to help.</p> <p>8/14/2011</p> <p>I spend a fair amount of time detailing the edges and drilling 5/16” holes in air bubbles under the cap sheet fiberglass to be filled. Dash is trimmed out with more mat filler pieces. Then overlayed w/cloth. The squeegee is working well. Two more layers of cloth at pilars. Dash now has 3 cloth + 1 mat + 1 cloth. Tub has 7 layers + cap sheet.</p> <p>Sanded second layer of pink opaque gel coat to fair translucency on sample. When held to sunlight grapefruit/proscuito color is good. Pink is slightly cooler and whiter than previous samples. Perhaps too light now?</p> <p>Will take to samples Svensen’s Boatyard tomorrow for color match!</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/8956633077http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/8956633077Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:13:05 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_losp94wNHj1qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_losp94wNHj1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Beer run …</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7974199838http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7974199838Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:46:00 -0700<span id="video_player_7544466127">[<a href="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" target="_blank">Flash 10</a> is required to watch video.]</span><script type="text/javascript">renderVideo("video_player_7544466127",'http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/video_file/7544466127/tumblr_lo8m8cC8Fg1qb8nse',400,225,'poster=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8m8cC8Fg1qb8nse_r1_frame1.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8m8cC8Fg1qb8nse_r1_frame2.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8m8cC8Fg1qb8nse_r1_frame3.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8m8cC8Fg1qb8nse_r1_frame4.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8m8cC8Fg1qb8nse_r1_frame5.jpg')</script><br/><br/><p>Thanks to Kelsey for filming this!</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7544466127http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7544466127Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:29:00 -0700<span id="video_player_7544226391">[<a href="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" target="_blank">Flash 10</a> is required to watch video.]</span><script type="text/javascript">renderVideo("video_player_7544226391",'http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/video_file/7544226391/tumblr_lo8lx4G5NJ1qb8nse',400,225,'poster=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8lx4G5NJ1qb8nse_r1_frame1.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8lx4G5NJ1qb8nse_r1_frame2.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8lx4G5NJ1qb8nse_r1_frame3.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8lx4G5NJ1qb8nse_r1_frame4.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8lx4G5NJ1qb8nse_r1_frame5.jpg')</script><br/><br/><p>Thanks to Kelsey for filming this!</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7544226391http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7544226391Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:22:00 -0700<span id="video_player_7543413676">[<a href="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" target="_blank">Flash 10</a> is required to watch video.]</span><script type="text/javascript">renderVideo("video_player_7543413676",'http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/video_file/7543413676/tumblr_lo8kvyrE791qb8nse',400,225,'poster=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8kvyrE791qb8nse_r1_frame1.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8kvyrE791qb8nse_r1_frame2.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8kvyrE791qb8nse_r1_frame3.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8kvyrE791qb8nse_r1_frame4.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lo8kvyrE791qb8nse_r1_frame5.jpg')</script><br/><br/><p>Thanks to Kelsey for filming this!</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7543413676http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7543413676Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:59:00 -0700<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo1mu2AFnW1qb8nseo1_500.jpg"/><br/> She stands!<br/><br/> <img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo1mu2AFnW1qb8nseo2_500.jpg"/><br/> She flies!<br/><br/> <p>Maria’s lift and tilt circuits have been tested and they work!</p> <p>Three cheers!</p> <p>More later, Bruce</p>http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7402119907http://mariadelcamino.brucetomb.com/post/7402119907Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:58:50 -0700