Nash Rambler

My take on a 1950 Nash Rambler.  This is the ‘feature’ vehicle for our 2025 car show.

I didn't try to get this at any particular scale, but it's very close to 1/28 scale.

Followed the YouTube example from the VW bus posted on Thingiverse to design this in Fusion 360.   I believe this basic design will be easily adapted to other vehicles.

Got the general idea for the battery holder from CR2032 LED Clip by Eivind Husby | Download free STL model | Printables.com

The switch and LED setup are all mine.

This model assembles without any adhesive.   Attached PDF has detailed photos for assembly.

Parts printed with supports: headlights, hood ornament, grill, hood, windshield trim, base, switch toggle and roof.   The sides are also printed with supports but the holes where the wires connect MUST have supports blocked.  I would also block supports in the long slot on the bottom of the roof.

Parts required to make it light up:  2 each white and red LEDs.   Designed for 5mm but 2.5mm should work too.  18Gauge bell wire for most of the assembly.   24 Gauge Bell wire (about 10mm worth) for the switch.  A 1/4w resistor.  I used 470 ohm but anything close should work.  A 2032 battery.

You will also need to connect the various wires.  I soldered them.

There are several parts where I used adaptive slicing to improve the looks.   Specifically the sides around the window frames, and the windshield trim.    I also used .1 slices on the headlights.   Everything else was done at .2 layer height.

Headlights and sides are each printed in 2 colors.   Headlights are white or clear and silver and sides are your chosen color and silver.

Assembly notes: 

• Post printing prep:
  • Remove all supports
  • In the base, the switch body will likely have some dangling filament.  Clean this out for proper switch operation.   I used small chisels.
  • Install the window frames in the sides
  • Assemble the hood:
    • install the grill, grill badge, hood ornament and windshield trim
  • Assemble the tunk
    • Install the trunk handle and roof
• Install the wires & LEDs in the sides.   
  • You need about 7 inches /18cm of 18 GA wire for the front LEDs and about 2in/5CM for the back LEDs.  Strip about ½ in / 1cm of insulation from each end of each wire.  
• Insert the LED into the holder.   I used pliers to push the LED leads down to ensure clean insertion.  
• Insert the wires into the side ensuring they are properly aligned as shown in photo.  You may want to bend the wires so that you can easily hold them in this position while inserting the LED.
• Insert the LED and holder.  Put the longer lead up (this is the positive lead)   This will take a fair bit of pressure.   I've typically got it started then pushed the LED in by pushing against the table.
• Install the 24Ga wire onto the switch block.   Pull this as tight as you can.
• Install the battery and switch wires as shown in the photos.
  • I have the negative side of the battery going through the switch.
  • When installing the switch wires, make certain to use a set of needle nose pliers to crimp them tightly to the switch body.   Failue to do this will make the switch operation difficult.
• Install the switch into the switch body
• Install the sides onto the base - route the front wires through the tunnel.
• Solder the LED leads as appropriate.   Put a resistor between the + side of the battery lead and the + lead of the Red LEDs while connecting the + lead of the white LEDs directly to the battery lead.
  • push the wires down so that the trunk can be installed.
• Install the tires as shown in the photos.
• Install the hood and trunk - both of these assemblies latch to the sides
• Install the headlight and tail light trim

Photos for assembly are in the PDF attached to this model.