www.3ders.org

Jan 12, 2017 | By Tess

Looking like something out of the recent Mad Max movie, Ioan Florea’s stunning 3D printed Liquid Metal Ford Torino is reportedly going up for auction next week. The still-impressive, undeniably gaudy car was first created in 2013 by Illinois-based artist Florea, and is recognized as one of the first cars in the world to integrate 3D printing into its design.

American auction company Barrett-Jackson, which specializes in the auction of cars, will be featuring the 3D printed Liquid Metal Ford Torino at its auction on January 18, 2017. According to the company, Florea’s custom car will be sold at No Reserve as Timed Lot #7001. If you don’t plan to make it to the auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, you can still follow it live, as it will be broadcast on Velocity and Discovery.

Ioan Florea, an Illinois-based artist originating from Transylvania, Romania, first made headlines for his metallic 3D printed car in early 2014. Made using one of the world’s largest industrial binder jet 3D printers by German 3D printer manufacturer Voxeljet AG (presumably its VX4000), the car was one of the first automobiles to employ additive manufacturing.

Visually, the Ford Torino is striking, and we can’t imagine it driving down the street without stopping people in their tracks. That is, whether you like the flashy, almost chrome-like shell or not, you can’t deny that it is eye catching. The car’s intricate and textural pattern was the result of an algorithm generated through parametric design. To achieve the metallic finish, Florea used an original 3D liquid metal transfer technique—which he also used to create a liquid metal 3D printed house back in 2014.

What is notable about the car is that its original body, a 1971 Ford Torino, was manufactured on a Fordist assembly line. The assembly line, which was introduced during the second industrial revolution, has to this day remained an icon of American industry, despite its more recent decay. By combining modern manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, with older ones, like Henry Ford’s assembly line, Florea has drawn attention to the transition into a new industrial age. The Liquid Metal Ford Torino can even be seen as a symbol of this inevitable transition.

As mentioned, the 3D printed car will be put up for auction by Barrett-Jackson on January 18, making it the first 3D printed car to “cross an auction block”. We can’t wait to see how much it sells for!

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

Maybe you also like:

• T-Bone Cape motion control board launches on Indiegogo
• New extruder could lower costs of 3D printing cellular structures for drug testing
• New Ninja Printer Plate for consumer 3D printing
• mUVe3D releases improved Marlin firmware for all 3D printers
• Zecotek plans HD 3D display for 3D printers
• Add a smart LCD controller to your Robo3D printer
• Maker Kase: a handy cabinet for 3D printers
• Heated bed for ABS printing with the Printrbot Simple XL
• Next gen all metal 3D printer extruder from Micron
• Pico all-metal hotend 100% funded in 48 hours, B3 announces Stretch Goal
• Create it REAL announces first 3D printing Real Time Processor
• A larger and more powerful 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter

   

Leave a comment:

Your Name: