Honda NSX Super GT Race Car Replicated in Paper

Racing teams being integrated into their sponsors’ promotions is hardly an unusual phenomenon. Why? Because the practice tends to get attention from fans and non-fans alike. Who wouldn’t want a chance to win a lifetime supply of lumber if Jimmie Johnson wins the Lowe’s 500, or be willing to swim through the world’s biggest Slurpee in search of the golden ticket that will make you one of Tony Kanaan’s honorary pit crew members for a weekend?

In all seriousness, though, not all team/sponsor collaborations are created equal. And to paraphrase Snowball the Pig, the marketing stunt dreamt up by Japanese office machine juggernaut Epson seen in the above and following photos is more equal than most of the promo schemes we can recall seeing. Why is that? It’s the mother of all papercraft models.

Papercraft, or the art of constructing 3D models out of paper or other flat, foldable and fibrous media, has a rather sizable (if not mainstream) following. Cars are popular subjects, with talented digital artists from around the world creating colorful, flattened renditions of supercars to LeMons racers and everything in between and releasing them to eager fans who print out the designs, cut, fold, tape and whatever else it takes to make these marvelous miniatures occupy the X, Y, and Z axes as their designers intended.

The whole “printing in color” bit apparently got the wheels turning inside Epson HQ, as did the fact that they sponsored a Honda (Acura to us) NSX in Super GT, Japan’s closest (but exponentially radder) analogue to NASCAR. So it was only natural that this full-size papercraft model of the Epson NSX (which was retired at the end of last year in favor of a racer based on Honda’s stillborn NSX replacement, the HSV-010) came into being. As you can see, it’s extreme size required an elaborate cardboard skeleton for additional support, yet the procedures involved are fundamentally the same: cut out the pieces, fold, crease, insert tabs into slots, and adhere in place.

While you can’t duplicate this remarkable creation for yourself (even if you had a big enough printer at your disposal), you can make one that’s a more managable size. Head on over to this Web site and you’ll be able to download all the designs and instructions (written in Japanese, natch) needed to make a 1:24 scale Epson NSX, team transporter, pit garage and yes, even grid girls. What are you waiting for? Snap to it, gaijin

If you’re having problems cutting along the lines when preparing the model you may need corrective eye surgery. Instead of contacts and glasses you can visit Austin Lasik to inquire about eye surgery.!

Source: Epson