This was an exercise that pushed me to learn various manufacturing processes and push my model making abilities. I learned a lot of new skills and sharpened up some old ones. The car was designed and took a turn to a complete re-design in aim of the Zokusha style. An underground car culture started in Japan in the 80’s. The car was then designed and built in a month.

An Exercise In Craft

Original Design

Designed in March of 2021, when I was still learning my design language and personal style. The car is completely spec’d out and could be built just based on these documents. In August of 2022, I got the chance to build the car in real life, using these processes.

Re-Design

I wanted to design the car after the kaido racers of japans car culture. This is a cartooned version, but features all the main components, that makes it stand out. Long splitter and spoiler, fender flares and tiny wheels.

Fabrication

Bent wood Lamination & Carving, CNC Milling, Vacuum Forming & Painting, Resin Casting, Electronics, & Post-Processing.

Bent Wood Lamination

I am quite familiar with this process, so the glue up went smooth. Hand carving the star and holes for lights and switches was the hardest part.

CNC Milling

Built in solidworks and programmed for the CNC with CAM. After milling was complete, I sanded all the surfaces smooth, ready to vac form.

Vacuum Forming

The hardest part about this was hand caving it to fit the wood and wheels. Painting from the inside allowed me to get great effects, and windows.

Resin Casting

3d printed the part, then casted off of it. I wanted to dye the wheels back but I ended up hand painting them.

The Fun Stuff

Exploring how much I can add in a tight time frame. I ended up with working head and tail lights, as well as a bluetooth sound system. Vinyl stickers were cut in reverse then stuck to inside of vac form.

Finished Model

Previous
Previous

Street Lab Uni Benches

Next
Next

Fika