How would you suggest building a prop car that has wrecked into a tree that is actual size?  it wouldn't have to move (since it's wrecked) it'd just sit there but the trunk would have to open....the car would have to travel well (i.e. easily taken apart and moved to a different theater), because it would be used in competition and also it would have to be assembled on stage in a very quick amount of time...

and as an added challenge how would you suggest making a limb from the tree fall on the car and "crush" it...of course the car would have to be reusable...this aspect of the car isn't necessary just a crazy idea i had...

any suggestions at all will greatly help!

WOW, first I was thinking junkyard, but thats not going to be practical when it comes to moving it and  the quick set up. have to agree with Patrick or maybe since a well crumpled appearance might be the desired effect your going for even one big paper mache job. and the branch falling...how about making it  a convertible so the roof can only have to be supported with thin PVC or small scale lumber and the 'ragtop" can just be draped back over the frame?..regardless, what show is this so I can never think about doing it?

agree with you patrick, a recent production of Grease had a section of a small old car, sorry i cant remember the make,maybe 2/3 of it from the front end to just before the back wheelwells.  it had been used for the show before, quite the chore getting in the trailer, to the theatre, through the backstage double doors, build a wagon to accomodate it, it was rusty and had some jagged edges and even being just a shell it was a beast too! although building from scratch would be a big project, i am always up for challenges!

I toyed with the idea of using a real car for 2 different plays, and decided against it both times. For CATS it had to be too oversized, ended up making the tail section of a gold cadillac out of 2x4s and bent luan, and a couple weeks ago for Joseph finished a full size replica of the woodstock VW Van wood and luan and that masonite ( bends a little better than luan but the painters hate it. ), but turned out great...

Here's a totally unhelpful, but related vent session.

We're about to do Grapes of Wrath and I've got to come up with a car that can move with 13 people in it. Sheesh...

On a more positive note, I've worked with this director before and have convinced him of the virtues of going more "representational." Most directors (and me too initially) think very literally, but you can get a much more theatrical look if you think more abstractly. For Grapes for instance, I think I've convinced him that we're going to build the entire set out of pallets. Then the "house" area will get transformed into the "car" as they "pack" it. It's a concept that requires lot of big air quotes, but when I built Tom Sawyer entirely out of crates that opened and hinged--it got called the Swiss Army Knife set. Biggest compliment ever.

Think outside of the box. (Or the crate)