Build Your Own Working Classic Car Model Kit

If the video player is not working, you can click on this alternative video link.

If you enjoyed our recent tutorial on how to build a model V4 engine, then you might be on the market for something similar. May we present to you this stunning working RC classic car model? 

The build process is pretty straightforward, and is, dare we say, a lot of fun. Follow this guide to find out more. 

But first, you will need some things before you get started. 

Tools and equipment needed

• Model classic car (in this case, a Teching DM227 kit)
• Modeling tools (file, etc.)
• Tweezers
• Screwdriver set

With all these bits and pieces in hand, it is time to get on with the build.

Step 1: Unbox and assemble the crankshaft block

Like any project of this nature, the first step is to unbox the kit and prepare the parts (where needed). 

As with other kits like this, it should come with all the parts you need, so you'll only really need some tools to assemble them. Each part is also clearly labeled and identified, so assembly should be as easy as pie. 

Before we begin, a word of advice. Ensure you keep the parts in their packaging until you actually need them. There is nothing worse than removing all the parts only to misplace some parts later down the line. 

Bearing that in mind, take out the parts needed to make the main pistons. Then begin to assemble the parts as needed. 

First up, we'll build the main piston and drive assembly of the car. Take the parts needed and assemble them as required. With that complete, take the crankshaft and attach the pistons to it as required. 

You will likely want to use a pair of tweezers to first remove smaller parts and then assemble them together. Tighten any bolts as needed with a screwdriver or ratchet.

With that complete, take one-half of the main crankshaft housing and insert one of the small blue gears. 

Close the gear with its closer plate, and then add the other gears on the outside of the housing. Use some pliers to help you tighten smaller bolts and nuts. 

Next, take one of the ball-bearing assemblies and insert it into the center of the housing as needed. Slip over another ball-bearing piece onto the crankshaft.

With that done, take your crankshaft, and the other half of the crankshaft housing, and connect the two pieces as instructed.

Next, take the first half of the housing and fully enclose the crankshaft and piston. 

Seal the unit as needed with its relevant nuts and bolts. With that complete, take the parts for the piston valves and rockers.

Assemble the bolts, springs, and other parts as needed. 

Step 2: Build the camshaft assembly

Next, take all the parts for the camshaft and camshaft wheel. Assemble the parts as instructed. 

With that complete mount the camshaft on top of the valve assembly you completed earlier. Secure the camshaft into place using its matching brackets. 

With that complete, take the parts, and mount them to the camshaft assembly, the camshaft exhaust pipe. 

Next, take the large cylindrical piston head housing, and mount it into place on top of the crankshaft housing. Test the action of the piston once complete, it should move freely inside. 

Adjust if needed if it doesn't. 

With that complete, position and mount the camshaft assembly above the piston head. Again test the action. When you turn the crankshaft, the piston valves should end up turning the camshaft and flywheel. 

With that complete, add the third and final blue gear to the exposed crankshaft axle so that it engages with the other two gears in place on the housing. Next, add the washer and nuts to hold the gear into place on the crankshaft. 

With that done, take and mount the main crankshaft flywheel and mount it to the crankshaft axle. Next, take one of the DC motors, and mount it into place on the crankshaft housing. 

Take the motor receptacle lid and screw that into place onto the crankshaft housing to hide the motor. Ensure the wires are exposed before moving on.

Step 3: Finish the engine block

With that complete, we can now move on to some of the other finer details of the kit. Let's start with the engine's alternator. 

Take the parts required and assemble as instructed. You will need your tweezers and the hex keys that should come with the kit for this,

Once done, mount the generator/dynamo to the main engine block as needed. With that complete, take the small rubber belt and connect the pulleys between the crankshaft and the alternator. 

With that complete, connect the crankshaft outer pulley with the synchronization wheel of the camshaft with the toothed drive belt. Next, build and mount the drive belt guide wheels. 

With the main mechanical components now more or less complete, we can move on to the electrical components for the piece. Take the parts needed and assemble them as instructed. 

Step 4: Build the chassis and begin assembling the car

After that, we can now move on to the wheel axles of the car. Take the main plastic components for them and assemble them as needed. 

Then, build the drive axle parts and mount them on the wheel housings, etc as needed. Next, take the throttle parts, assemble them and mount them into place on the main engine assembly. 

Next, take the parts for the main chassis of the car. Take and mount the rear-drive axle to the chassis as instructed, 

Next, take the parts for the car's steering assembly, build as required, and mount them to the front part of the chassis. Also, build the steering column assembly as needed. 

With that done, mount the engine into place to the chassis. Ensure it is the right way around. Next, take the rear wheels and mount them to the rear axle as needed. 

Next, take the front wheels and mount them to their respective wheel brackets as needed. Complete the steering assembly with the crossbars as instructed. 

With that complete, take the steering column piece and mount it into place at the front of the car. Ensure that its main gear engages with the screw gear of the steering assembly. 

With that complete, mount the main electrical component assembly above the steering assembly to the front of the car. Then add in any closer plates and other pieces needed below the cabin of the car. 

Step 5: Finish the model

With the main components of the car now in place, we can begin to make it actually look like a classic car. To this end, take the bodywork parts of the model. 

Grab the front grill, turn indicators, etc, assemble as needed, and mount the lights to the grill piece. These lights will actually work to ensure the wiring is exposed. 

With that complete, mount the grill to the main engine hood. 

With that done, connect all the wire connectors to the main electrical box as needed. Add the switch to the dashboard,

With that done, take the engine hood, and enclose all the front gubbins of the car. Ensure wires, for example, are tucked inside and hidden by the hood and mount the hood to the main chassis as needed. 

Next, mount the dashboard into place on the steering column assembly and the main hood. With that complete, build and mount the main cabin seat to the car chassis. 

Next, build and mount the throttle stick to the throttle cable you built earlier. 

With that done, mount the steering wheel, and test the steering mechanism by turning it clockwise and counterclockwise. The front wheels should respond in kind. 

Next, take and mount the rear trunk part. Then add other details like the wing mirrors, horn, and front hood decorations. 

With that, your classic car model is finally complete. That was a really fun build we think you'll agree. 

This particular kit comes with an app, so all that remains is to actually take your car for a spin! Happy driving. 

If you enjoyed this little project, why mix things up a bit and unbuild something instead? How about, for example, completely disassembling an old relay timer?