- Project GT3D is a fully functional, 3D-printed Porsche GT3 RS replica built on a Boxster 986 chassis using over 477 individual PETG filament parts.
- Technical Ingenuity defines the build, featuring a custom turbocharger setup, active 3D-printed DRS wing, and body panels joined via plastic welding and 2,000+ hours of printing.
- Status Update: As of early 2026, the ‘Rothmans’ liveried prototype is 99% complete, having made its first public appearance while being prepped for final paint.
Plastic Fantastic: Engineering the Impossible
In a workshop that buzzes with the futuristic hum of stepper motors rather than the traditional clatter of impact wrenches, a heresy is being committed against automotive purism—and it is magnificent. The ‘GT3D’ project, spearheaded by automotive content creator Mike Lake, challenges the very definition of vehicle manufacturing. Standing raw and aggressive in the shop, this is not merely a body kit; it is a full-scale technological rebellion. By taking a humble Porsche Boxster 986 and skinning it with a 3D-printed exoskeleton, the project bridges the gap between digital fabrication and tarmac-tearing performance, proving that with enough patience and filament, the barrier to entry for supercar aesthetics is crumbling.
From Boxster to Beast
The foundation of this audacious build is a Porsche Boxster 986, chosen for its mid-engine layout and structural rigidity. However, the visual transformation is total. The exterior comprises 477 individual 3D-printed parts, painstakingly crafted from PETG filament. This material choice balances flexibility with durability, essential for surviving the vibrations of a road car. The sheer scale of production is staggering; the printers ran for approximately 2,000 hours to generate the raw components. To achieve seamless body lines, each panel—such as the front fenders, which alone consist of 21 segmented pieces—was fused together using a soldering iron for plastic welding, reinforced with cyanoacrylate adhesive to ensure structural integrity akin to traditional fiberglass.
Worth A Look
The ‘Rothmans’ Aesthetic & Aerodynamics
Visually, the car pays homage to racing royalty while celebrating its maker roots. The exterior currently sports a ‘Rothmans-style’ livery, a nod to Porsche’s dominant endurance racing history, applied directly over the raw, unfinished texture of the 3D-printed plastic. This juxtaposes high-heritage motorsport graphics with the layer lines of modern rapid prototyping. Stance and grip are managed by custom Artka forged 2-piece wheels, designed specifically to fill the widened GT3 RS arches. At the rear, the build integrates genuine Porsche GT3 tail lights, blending OEM quality with DIY ingenuity. Functionality remains paramount; the vehicle features an active, 3D-printed Drag Reduction System (DRS) wing, demonstrating that the printed components are not just for show—they are active aerodynamic elements.
2026 Status: The Final Lap
As of late February 2026, the GT3D project has entered its critical final phase. Reports confirm the build is 99% complete, with the vehicle making its first public appearance to stunned onlookers. Under the rear deck, the mechanicals have received a serious upgrade in the form of a custom turbocharger setup, ensuring the car’s performance writes checks that its aggressive bodywork can cash. Currently, the team is sanding down the raw filament texture in preparation for final paint, marking the end of the ‘raw’ era and the beginning of its life as a finished show-stopper. This project stands as a definitive statement in the 2026 automotive scene: the future of custom car building isn’t just fabricated—it’s printed.
