What we want for Christmas: Haynes Build Your Own Engine kit

The opportunity to piece together an internal combustion engine is not something one stumbles upon too often, since access to an auto shop class or garage with the necessary tools is unavailable to most people. Also, the expensive consequences of a bad engine build frequently prevent curious newbies from making an attempt on their own. On the other hand, some folks just don't want to get dirty. That's why Haynes, the publisher of many automotive service manuals, has introduced the internal combustion engine kit. Marketed towards kids, or just the kid in you, they offer a plastic model kit to piece together a realistic, working engine. It apparently even features sounds, light-producing spark plugs and moving pistons. The engine has a completed footprint of 7.1 inches in height by 10.6 inches in width and 5.5 inches in depth -- not too big and more educational than the animated .gifs on HowStuffWorks.com. The Haynes UK site shows that popular demand has currently put the kits out of stock. Sadly, we must wait until 2008 for our next coffee table centerpiece project.

[Source: Auto Express]