14 DAY TRIAL // Have you ever watched Pimp My Ride? If you haven't, just know that it's a show where someone takes an old, beat up car and gives it to “hacking” experts who then turn it into an absolute wonder.
Usually, that means stripping the car down for parts until there's nothing left except the main chassis. Often even the motor and doors are scrapped.
It depends on budget, the request of the one getting his ride “pimped,” and in just how bad a shape the vehicle was to begin with. Although, true enough, the car being beat up is not a requisite.
Now, the practice of taking normal cars and turning them into fancy fashion statements and luxury vehicles is about to take a new turn.
3D printed cars are being given to pimps for free
For the purposes of this article, we'll be making abstraction of how the meaning of the word “pimp” is a lot heavier and controversial than you'd expect to associate with car dealers.
A company called Local Motors has decided to send out twelve of its Strati cars to people who like to modify existing cars.
If you don't know Strati, it's a car that is entirely 3D printed. Or at least the chassis and most other fixed parts are. The motor still has to be fabricated normally.
Strati is a small critter, but sufficient to drive two people around. It also marked a huge leap in additive manufacturing. Cars are one of the most profitable products in the world after all. It was almost as big a news as HD entering the 3D printing sector.
Local Motors will send out the twelve Strati cars as part of the ModMen Challenge that will begin in January 2015.
The ones lucky enough to make the cut for the main competition will be allowed to change everything from the power train to the tires.
How to become one of the designers
The “ModMen” Challenge will stretch over most of next year. First the applicants will send in their design proposals through the Local Motors website. Then an online vote will follow, whose results will be revealed in March.
After that, the cars will be sent to the winner in May. Between that time and November, they will have to modify the cars, to hack them up as it were, in time for the SEMA 2015 show. You may already sign up here.