Yes, you really can download and print a car.
In a story that feels like science fiction turned reality, physicist Sterling Backus and his son spent five years building a full-scale, fully functional Lamborghini Aventador—almost entirely out of 3D-printed parts. Using an entry-level 3D printer, tons of creativity, and relentless dedication, this father-son team brought a supercar to life in their own garage.
The Project That Started as a Dream
Sterling began the project by downloading a 1:10 scale model of the Lamborghini Aventador. He then scaled it up to life-size, made some design modifications (like widening the body), and started printing the parts using a Creality CR-10S—a simple hobbyist 3D printer costing just $350.
Because the printer had a small build area, each part of the car was broken into 1-square-foot segments, printed one at a time and then glued together using epoxy. This process took 15 continuous months of printing before the machine gave out—but by then, the entire car body was complete.
Overcoming Challenges with Smart Engineering
The CR-10S uses PLA filament, a material that begins to soften at 50–60°C. That’s a big problem when you’re parking in the sun or running a hot engine. To make the car structurally sound and heat-resistant, Sterling and his son coated every 3D-printed panel with six layers of carbon Fiber, vacuum-sealing each one to eliminate warps or bubbles.
Afterward, the panels were coated with automotive primer and carefully hand-sanded to achieve that showroom-worthy finish.
Lamborghini Takes Notice
The build was so impressive that word reached Lamborghini themselves, who offered support. They sent two original Aventador headlights, valued at $5,000 each, and later even shipped an authentic Lamborghini steering wheel from Italy after noticing an Audi one in the dashboard. (Fun fact: Audi and Lamborghini are part of the Volkswagen Group, which is why some parts fit interchangeably.)
Custom Components and Smart Substitutes
- Windshield: Sourced from a Pacifica minivan and trimmed to fit.
- Taillights: Custom-designed and 3D printed to suit the widened body.
- Doors: The iconic scissor doors were made functional thanks to hinges from another 3D-printing enthusiast.
- Chassis: Built from scratch with welded metal to support the printed body.
- Engine: Instead of a Lamborghini V12, the car runs on a Corvette LS1 V8 engine.
- Transmission: Taken from a Porsche 911.
The final product? A stunning, lightweight Aventador replica weighing just 2,700 lbs—about 1,300 lbs lighter than the original.
Final Touches and Big Debut
Sterling plans to finish the car with a sleek red, white, and black paint job, just in time for its debut at the Bandimere Speedway near Detroit on August 13th. Some electrical work and interior tweaks are still ongoing, but this 3D-printed supercar is nearly ready for the road.
What This Means for 3D Printing—and How Cartridge World Cyprus Can Help You Build Your Vision
This isn’t just a cool DIY project—it’s a real-world demonstration of what 3D printing can achieve. With just a basic printer and a big idea, Sterling and his son made something extraordinary.
At Cartridge World Cyprus, we help turn big ideas into real-world solutions using cutting-edge 3D printing services. Whether you’re working on custom parts, product prototypes, or something entirely unique—we’re here to help.
🚀 Ready to print your dream project?
Let’s build it together.
Explore our 3D printing services today at Cartridge World Cyprus.
See more now: https://cwcyprus.com/product-category/department/3d-printing/3d-printers/
