One of the toughest challenges of owning a classic car isn’t tuning the engine or restoring the paint — it’s finding replacement parts and accessories cost-effectively. Whether it’s a throttle linkage clip, a worn bushing, or a bit of interior trim, the smallest missing component can leave your vehicle undriveable and sidelined indefinitely. Many original parts are long out of production, and aftermarket options either don’t exist or aren't quite up to the job at hand. For those of us trying to keep our classic cars on the road, this shortage has become a frustrating, time-consuming and costly reality.

"Igus already supplies the modern car industry - we know there's a lot we can do to help the classic car industry - Igus UK"

That’s why the new 3D printing service launched by Vroom Classics in partnership with igus UK is worth paying attention to.

 

A Vital Parts Supply Solution for Classic Car Owners

Vroom Classics, the UK-based marketplace dedicated to serving the classic car enthusiast market, has teamed up with igus UK, an engineering plastics expert known for its innovative polymer components. Together, they’re offering a custom 3D printing service designed to help enthusiasts and restorers create bespoke replacement parts that are otherwise unavailable.

"3D Printing represents a game-changing opportunity to keep more classic cars on the road, cost-effectively"

This isn't just hobbyist-level printing — Igus operates one of the most advanced industrial 3D printing services in Europe, using engineered plastics like iglidur®. These materials are designed to withstand wear, high temperatures, and mechanical stress — ideal for demanding automotive environments. Unlike typical desktop 3D printers, Igus’s process produces components that can function as genuine mechanical parts, not just placeholders, prototypes or fancy paper weights.

What Makes the Vroom Classics x Igus Service Stand Out?

• Engineering-grade materials – Components can be printed in polymers that are self-lubricating, wear-resistant, and suitable for even load-bearing applications.
• A full range of materials - Beyond their engineering-grade materials, as a specialist in advanced palstics, they offer a full range of plastics covering almost the entire spectrum of possible classic car applications.
• No Minimum Order Quantities - Vroom Classics and Igus know that the classic car market has highly variable and specific, tailored needs.
• Highly capable precision printing - Igus can print almost any part on a classic car, within reason, from the tiniest and most intricate dashboard gear to a new steering wheel.
• Fast turnaround – Custom parts can often be produced and shipped in a matter of days.
• No tooling needed – For one-off or low-volume parts, 3D printing avoids the high setup costs of traditional manufacturing.
• UK-based – Easier communication and shipping for our British customers.

How You Can Use It

If you’re caring for a classic car and can’t find a certain part, this service gives you a new option: have it made from scratch.

To do this, you’ll need a 3D CAD file of the part. If you don’t already have one:

• Check online repositories like GrabCAD, Thingiverse or manufacturer archives — sometimes enthusiasts or OEMs have shared files.

• Car clubs are often a rich and capable resource of detailed technical information like this. At the very least they might be able to steer you in the right direction.

• Use CAD services — sites like Fiverr or Upwork feature freelance designers who can model a part from a sketch or photo.

• If you have the broken part, consider a 3D scanning service — some local print shops or engineering firms offer scanning that can turn physical objects into printable files.

• At all times, you need to make sure you have the necessary permissions to use the IP (Intellectual Property) to print the part you want.

Once you have the file, simply upload it to the Vroom Classics 3D printing portal, choose your material, and let igus manufacture the part. In many cases, it will be ready to install straight out of the box.

Final Thoughts

We all know the joy of getting an old car back on the road — and the despair of not being able to find that one missing component. With this new 3D printing service, Vroom Classics and igus UK are offering a real, practical solution. It’s not a silver bullet for every parts problem, but it’s a big step forward — and for many enthusiasts, it might be the reason their classic stays on the road a few years longer.

If you’ve used the service or have ideas for must-have printable parts, we’d love to hear about it. Let’s help each other keep these machines alive.