How to Design a Model Car

A model car is a miniature version of the real thing. There are literally thousands of different model cars available, each with a varying degree of detail. Hobbyists and enthusiasts typically like to design their own model car, or at least create additions or modifications they'd like to apply. If you have an artist's eye you can easily design a model car of your own.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Paper
• Pencil
• Modeling clay or similar design compound
• CAD program (for those wanting 3D and computer power)
• Ruler

1. Determine the scale you want to use for your model. Cars are typically designed between 1/24 and 1/72 scale, depending on the model. Remember that the smaller the design the smaller the details (and the more difficult they will be to accurately incorporate).
2. Take measurements of the car you wish to translate into a model design. The best way to take measurements is to use specific reference points. Two important reference points are the centerlines of the tires (right at the center of the axle). From there you can measure out to the bumpers without having to measure the entire car.
3. Sketch out your design. The first sketch doesn't need to be to scale, but it should be a good representation of the final model. You should also sketch it from multiple viewpoints like the top, bottom and the side.
4. Add the embellishments to your design. Are you giving your model car a high fender and wings circa 1955? Did you want to create a selection of hood ornaments? For these designs, however, it's a good idea to use tracing paper so you don't have to ruin your base design by erasing and redrawing.
5. Push your designs to the limit by using a CAD (computer assisted design) program like TurboCAD Pro to develop them in three dimensions (see Resources below). Most CADs can be very difficult to use at first without experience, but once you understand how to use them you'll be making terrific scale designs in no time.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an existing design to help you make a new model. If, for example, you wanted to design your own futuristic Mustang based on a class model, then you could easily use a current kit as a reference and change elements wherever you wanted.
• Remember that if you're not making your design to scale, some elements may not end up fitting as precisely as you would like when you go to construct your model car. It's best to make your design to scale so you have concrete reference points when you're ready to build the model car.