# S2E22 Building Cars for the Transformers 4 Movie, and Immersing Oneself in Hands-on Work | Nick Bauer

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-05-14
- Length: 41m
- Episode: 22
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-14-s2e22-building-cars-for-the-transformers-4-movie-and-immersing-oneself-in-hands
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/building-transformers-cars-nick-bauer/

## Summary

Nick Bauer, a special projects engineer at Niccola Motor Company, discusses his hands-on approach to engineering, from building antique tube radios as a teen to working at startups like Local Motors and Thor Trucks. He details the creation of the Rally Fighter, the world's first crowdsource car, and the challenges of adapting an LS3 engine and using carbon-fiber-filled ABS for 3D-printed vehicles. Bauer also shares stories of his personal vehicle projects, including a heavily modified 2001 Dodge Dakota and a Cummins-powered 'Dragon Wagon,' while reflecting on his ADHD, sleep deprivation, and advice for engineers with learning disabilities.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-14-s2e22-building-cars-for-the-transformers-4-movie-and-immersing-oneself-in-hands#t=0) Introduction and Early Engineering Roots
- [7:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-14-s2e22-building-cars-for-the-transformers-4-movie-and-immersing-oneself-in-hands#t=444) Local Motors and the Rally Fighter
- [9:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-14-s2e22-building-cars-for-the-transformers-4-movie-and-immersing-oneself-in-hands#t=556) 3D Printed Cars and Materials
- [16:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-14-s2e22-building-cars-for-the-transformers-4-movie-and-immersing-oneself-in-hands#t=976) Personal Projects: Dodge Dakota and Dragon Wagon
- [24:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-14-s2e22-building-cars-for-the-transformers-4-movie-and-immersing-oneself-in-hands#t=1458) Startup Life, Sleep Deprivation, and ADHD
- [32:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-14-s2e22-building-cars-for-the-transformers-4-movie-and-immersing-oneself-in-hands#t=1924) Transformers 4 Movie Stunt and Career Advice

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Local Motors (company)
- Rally Fighter (product)
- Niccola Motor Company (company)
- Thor Trucks (company)
- XLS Trucks (company)
- SABIC (company)
- Markforged (company)
- Transformers 4 (product)
- Dodge Dakota (product)
- Dragon Wagon (product)
- BMW M57 (product)
- LS3 (product)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- eBay (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep086: News Overflow, Formula 1/3 Racer, Stand Up Rubber Duckies, and Useless Machine Takes a Turn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-09-25-ep086-news-overflow-formula-1-3-racer-stand-up-rubber-duckies-and-useless-machin) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [52: Maximize the Sonic Boom](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-05-21-52-maximize-the-sonic-boom) (Embedded.fm)
- [Matt Brown (Creator, SuperfastMatt)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-06-17-matt-brown-creator-superfastmatt) (Just Gonna Send It)
- [360: That’s not very maker-y of you, is it?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-07-01-360-thats-not-very-maker-y-of-you-is-it) (Making It)
- [493: It’s Like Doing a Head Transplant…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-08-08-493-its-like-doing-a-head-transplant) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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