The Cars 3 Ultimate Flordia Speedway is one of the most unique concept cars we’ve ever seen. It combines some great design elements, but what makes it truly stand out is how it pays homage to some of the greatest American automobile races of all time. With influences from all three Pixar films, it’s no wonder why this unique creation took the world by storm. Here’s how you can build your own ultimate version of this stunning vehicle.
The Model
The first thing to do is to decide which model of The Cars you want to replicate. The base model will give you pretty much everything you need to create your own unique car. As a general rule of thumb, choose the one that was first introduced in the most recent of the three Cars films. For example, if you’re building a Speedster, go for the Fastback version from Cars 2. Now that you’ve got your base model, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Designing The Deck
The Cars deck is where you’ll spend most of your time. This is where you’ll put all the pieces you need to create your dream ride. It’s basically a flat pack of cardboard, so you can build it however you want. The basic rule is, the closer you get to what’s in the film, the better. Also, make sure you have all the proper tools. You’ll need a laser for cutting the cardboard, a jigsaw for assembly, and at least 3D CAD software such as Autocad, Solidworks, or Inventor. The best thing about The Cars is how flat it is. There are no awkward corners or spaces that you have to awkwardly fit things in. Everything is laid out clearly in front of you, so you can put it together in no time.
The Bodywork
The next step is to build the body of your car. For the base model, you’ll simply need an open garage or a place with enough room to wrench on a car. You don’t necessarily need to have a dedicated spot, but it’s ideal if there’s a dedicated space. If not, just make sure you have all the proper tools and supplies to disassemble and reassemble the car as many times as necessary. The best thing about The Cars is that the body is mostly made up of straight forward sheets of cardboard, so it’s really easy to get the hang of it even if you’ve never done it before. There aren’t any complicated steps or tricky techniques involved. Plus, the more you put in it, the more you get back. With enough effort, you’ll end up with a functional and breathtaking car that will take your friends by surprise when they see it.
Painting The Deck
When it comes to giving your car that finished look, it’s important to mimic the colors and patterns used by the characters in the film. The trick is to use actual paint, and not something akin to marker or ink. The basic rule is: the closer you get to what’s in the film, the better. Start by giving your garage floor a good clean. Next, you’ll need to decide which exterior component you’re going to use to give your car that sporty look. The best tip is to go for the doors and the roof. You can use whatever color you want for the exterior, as long as it’s contrasting with the interior.
The Dashboard And Emblems
The last step is to add some character to your car by adding a dashboard, some gauges, and a few emblems here and there. The best thing about The Cars is that it’s easy to add some personality to it. You can make yours more luxurious by adding a decent sized bin filled with all the necessary junk you need for fixing up the car. Plus, it will add that extra touch of authenticity to it.
As for the gauges, it’s best to use something that has a historical significance to the motorsport genre. If you haven’t guessed by now, we have a soft spot for old school electronics, so adding vintage gauges will be right up our street. We’d recommend an old-school Viscostat, RPM indicator, and temperature gauge. There are many others, but these three will suffice for now. Just remember to find an analog connection for all of them, so that you don’t have to worry about digital compatibility issues in the future.
Finishing Touches
Once you’re done with the inside of your car, it’s time to give it that extra touch of professionalism that sets a pro apart from a hobbyist by adding the vinyl wrap around the car’s exterior. One of the best parts of The Cars is how it seamlessly blends old and new technology. You’ll need a vinyl cutter to achieve this, and once you’ve got that, it’s simply a matter of adding some custom designed stickers.
Even though this may sound like a lot of work, it actually isn’t. Most of the work is done for you by Pixar, and getting the proper tools is all you need to get started. And when you’re done, your friends and family will be talking about how cool your car is, and not about how crappy their Wi-Fi is.