Jay Leno Transforms Classic Car Restoration with 3D Printing Technology

Ever wondered how some old cars keep cruising the streets like they just rolled off the lot? Well, Jay Leno, yes, the car collector and comedian, is showing us some cool tech wizardry with 3D printing that's keeping his classic cars running smooth.

So, Jay’s been tinkering with what’s called additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to keep his fleet of vintage beauties, like a 1913 Packard, in tip-top shape. He spoke about this at a talk hosted by Aria Group, a manufacturing company that's big into 3D printing with a firm called Stratasys.

Here’s the deal: 3D printing is super useful because it skips all the expensive tooling and machining usually needed to make car parts. It’s not just for prototyping anymore; automakers are using this tech for actual production parts. Take Czinger, for instance, they're crafting major structural components for lightweight sports cars using this tech.

When we visited Jay’s garage, we got a close-up look at his Stratasys Fortus 450mc 3D printer and some of the parts it’s churned out. The story of how they used it for the Packard is pretty wild. The old car's engine had a major breakdown, and finding a replacement part for something as old as 1913 was like finding a needle in a haystack. So, what did Jay and his chief engineer, Jim Hall, do? They got creative.

They used a laser scanner to capture the exact dimensions of the broken and remaining good parts, recreated them in a 3D model, and printed out a new cylinder pair in plastic. This wasn’t just a patch-up job; it allowed them to test and perfect the design before sending it off to be cast in metal. Talk about a modern twist on car restoration!

And it doesn’t stop with just one car. Jay’s 1907 White steam-powered car and a rare 1968 Pontiac Firebird Sprint have also benefited from 3D printed parts. These cars are so rare that finding spare parts is next to impossible, but with 3D printing, Jay can create just about anything he needs.

Even race cars are getting in on the action. Companies like Toyota are using 3D printing for parts on their GR86 Cup Car. They’re making everything from interior door panels to hood vents and aerodynamic aids. It’s all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with car manufacturing.

And guess what? You don’t need to be Jay Leno to take advantage of this technology. Many places now offer 3D printing services that can help with your own restoration projects. Who knows, maybe you'll find the blueprint for that impossible-to-find part you’ve been searching for, all thanks to the trailblazers like Leno and the tech that’s making it happen.