An American father is in the process of constructing a Lamborghini Aventador SV using 3D printing technology. Sterling Backus from Colorado and his son began the project five years ago and have been dedicating a significant amount of time to it ever since. Backus has been building the Aventador from scratch, starting with no frame or engine.
The father-son team embarked on an ambitious project, but it wasn’t without its challenges. To begin with, the son had to learn everything he needed to know about 3D printing by watching YouTube videos. They didn’t even have a printer, so they had to purchase one – a small CR-10S – from Amazon. With just this one machine at their disposal, they set out to achieve their goal. The father later recounted to YouTuber Joel Telling that they had been using their CR-10S for over a year, nearly non-stop.
Backus explained that due to the printer’s limitations for smaller projects, they had to construct the Lamborghini piece by piece. They manufactured small sections of about one cubic foot and then assembled them into a single panel. However, just using 3D prints was not an option as they reside in a hot climate in Colorado, and exposing the structure to direct sunlight would be neither safe nor lasting. To add strength to the construction, Backus incorporated parts of carbon fiber.
Beneath the exterior made with 3D-printed panels, Backus crafted a unique steel frame from scratch. The project presented several challenges, but the creation of functional scissor doors proved to be the most difficult for Backus. Despite these obstacles, he successfully built them to not only look sleek but also operate smoothly. Lamborghini caught wind of Backus’s impressive project during its development and were impressed with his progress. As a result, they generously donated authentic parts from the Lamborghini Aventador to aid in the build.
According to Backus, the headlights on the car are authentic Aventador headlights that usually cost around $5,000 each. Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford them himself, but Lamborghini was impressed by his project and donated the headlights to him. He also received a genuine Aventador steering wheel as a donation from the company. Backus expressed his respect for the Lamborghini brand by ensuring that the car will only feature the company’s badge on the steering wheel.
In the meantime, Backus managed to salvage an engine from a 2005 Corvette he discovered at a scrap yard and has dedicated his time to restoring it to fit. He plans on meticulously going through each panel of the car and sanding them down to prepare for painting. Afterwards, he will concentrate on perfecting the intricate mechanics and electrical components of the vehicle. His ultimate goal is to showcase the car at the Bandimere Speedway show in August.
