MakerBot Industries

A 3-D printer did not print out this Schulich I solar car that has raced thousands of miles in the Australian outback, U.S. and Canada. However, one of its team members, Thingiverse user silby101, said it would have been awesome to have a MakerBot while designing the Schulich I to rapidly prototype his ideas on a small scale.

If you’re designing a new type of car or just like to play with car models, here is some inspiration from Thingiverse:

Yellow Lamborghini designed by Thingiverse user twotimes.

A red Lamborghini printed by Thingiverse member gpvillamill (people love printing this car).

Leesa’s car designed by Thingiverse member imaterialise.

Toy car -with moving wheels – by Thingiverse member kparanya.

Rep Rap action car designed by Thingiverse member wizard23.

This is the 3D model of the Schulich I that is available for download from Thingiverse. If you print it, be sure to upload a picture of your print to Thingiverse.

Okay, so the MakerBot will probably not be making a full-size operational vehicle like the Urbee – an Urban Electric Ethanol car – anytime soon. The team that created the first-ever 3D-printed car, Kor Ecologic Inc., collaborated with high-end 3D printing companies Stratasys and Dimension. Those printers start at $20,000, whereas you can get a Cupcake 3D Printer for $649.

So what would it take to make an actual car with a MakerBot? Post your ideas to Thingiverse and tag them with “car.”