You Wouldn't Believe That These Toyota and Aston Classics Are Entirely Crafted by Hand From the Ground Up | Carscoops

      Tuksedo Studio is creating handcrafted aluminum replicas of automotive icons that are so lifelike they compete with the originals.

      Published 18 hours ago

      By Brad Anderson

      Tuksedo Studio produces six models, including copies of the DB5, 300 SL, and 507.

      Each vehicle is crafted using digitized original designs and manually shaped body panels.

      Every part, from wheels to gauges, is handmade in-house, excluding the engines.

      Replicas have traditionally been viewed as mere stand-ins in the automotive realm, often disregarded before they even make their debut. However, occasionally, one emerges that completely alters this view.

      This is true for the impressive classic vehicles being created in a small workshop in Bali, Indonesia. These hand-finished creations from Tuksedo Studio may come with six-figure price tags, but for those who recognize the labor involved, every dollar spent is justified.

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      Tuksedo Studio was established by a former architect whose enthusiasm for classic automobiles and craftsmanship naturally progressed into a more ambitious endeavor.

      How Are The Cars Built?

      Since its inception nearly ten years ago, the company now offers six models, each inspired by renowned European and Japanese cars, all constructed from scratch by a team of skilled young artisans.

      As evident in the video from Hagerty, which visited the workshop, calling these cars replicas doesn’t do them justice; they appear just as stunning as the originals.

      The current offerings include accurate reinterpretations of the Porsche 550 Spyder, Porsche 356, Toyota 2000GT, Aston Martin DB5, Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, and BMW 507.

      In Indonesia, importing any of the originals is illegal, which is why Tuksedo Studio produces them independently. Each model uses the mechanics of existing vehicles that are readily available locally.

      For instance, the 2000GT is powered by a Toyota Crown engine, while the powertrain for the 300SL is sourced from a Mercedes W124 sedan.

      To guarantee each model is flawless, the company utilizes original drawings, digitizes them, and then its team meticulously fabricates every aluminum body part. There are no advanced machinery here; traditional English wheels are employed to mold the panels.

      All Parts Are Made In-House

      The level of detail is remarkable. Given the challenges of sourcing original parts either locally or through imports, Tuksedo Studio manufactures every single component of its vehicles in-house, except for the windshield and powertrain.

      This encompasses everything from major elements like rims to smaller, delicate components such as steering wheels, gauges, lights, headlights, reflectors, and door locks.

      Every aspect, both interior and exterior, is crafted entirely by hand. This involves thousands of individually created pieces, each shaped and finished with meticulous care.

      The production process is highly intricate, and despite having a sizable team, Tuksedo Studio can currently produce only about five vehicles each year.

      With such exceptional craftsmanship, it’s no wonder that prices start around $200,000 and can exceed $300,000, reflecting the significant time, skill, and precision that goes into each build.