3D Printed Vintage Car Parts

Description

My dad has always loved vintage cars. Because of this, he is active in the community of people who collect, maintain, and repair these cars. Many vintage cars are over 50 years old, and they haven’t had replacement parts made in decades. Over time, plastic parts wear out and decay. I take broken and decaying parts, model the design, and 3D print a new one. I am able to sell these parts to those who need them.

The first part I designed was a terminal block cover. It holds wires together, and it has a thumb screw through the top. I was sent one of these that was broken in half down the middle. I measured the broken piece, sketched it out, and modeled it in Autodesk Fusion 360. I 3D printed the part in ABS plastic. I believe this part is still operating on a vintage car today!

Over a couple of years, I designed a handful of parts. I sold a bunch of sun visor tip replacements, an A/C clutch brush holder, and various other parts. I practiced making sketches with measured dimensions and making educated guesses about incomplete pieces. I also learned how to use many new materials with my 3D printer. I used PLA, ABS, Nylon, and various flexible materials. I now have a wide array of materials and colors I can print with, and I have experience with this broad range of material properties.