What began as a simple question from a son to his father – could they build a Lamborghini? – has culminated in a remarkable feat of engineering and a testament to the power of 3D printing. The project, sparked by a Lamborghini Aventador seen in a video game, has garnered attention from the automaker itself.
From Video Game to Reality: A 3D-Printed Lamborghini
Sterling Backus, an engineer with a passion for mechanics and new technologies, embraced the challenge. He quickly identified 3D printing as a viable path forward. Together with his son, they obtained a digital model of the Aventador, scaled it to full size, and then broke the design down into hundreds of printable parts using readily available home 3D printers. The printing process, taking place in their Colorado backyard, spanned months, with some individual components requiring over fifty hours of continuous printing.
The project began in 2018, and four years later, nearly 1,000 parts had been manufactured, accumulating around 6,000 hours of printing time. The distinctive silhouette of the supercar gradually took shape.
More Than Just a Replica
From a distance, the vehicle is remarkably convincing, with accurate proportions and an instantly recognizable design. However, beneath the Aventador-inspired bodywork, almost everything is custom-built. The original V12 engine has been replaced with a Chevrolet Corvette C5 LS1 V8, paired with a Porsche 911 manual transmission and two turbochargers, producing between 550 and 600 horsepower. This level of performance places it firmly in supercar territory.
To avoid any legal issues, each panel was slightly modified. The car is not intended for commercial purposes and remains a unique creation built for learning, sharing, and driving. The replica quickly attracted attention at exhibitions, and a $100,000 offer was even made. However, Sterling Backus declined, stating, “building provides a feeling much stronger than buying.”
An Unexpected Call from Lamborghini
The story could have ended there – a remarkable family adventure gone viral. But then, the call came from Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Lamborghini prepared a surprise reminiscent of a holiday movie. The plan: to exchange the replica for a genuine Aventador, delivered under the cover of night. While the family slept, the Italian supercar arrived discreetly, bringing the project born in a backyard full circle.
A Father-Son Story
Beyond the mechanics, the relationship between Sterling and his son is the most compelling aspect of this story. Years of trials, errors, and successes shared around a common passion. At the end of the video released by Lamborghini, the son simply summarizes the adventure: “I love my dad.”
