by A New Approach to Automotive Replicas
Replicas have long been viewed as second-rate products in the automotive world, often underestimated even before they appear. However, from time to time, some emerge that completely change this perception.
The Workshop from Bali
This is the impression made by the stunning classic cars coming from a small workshop in Bali, Indonesia. These handcrafted cars from Tuksedo Studio can have six-figure prices, but for those who understand what goes into them, every dollar is justified.
Watch: Can you tell this Gullwing replica based on an SLK from the real one?
Tuksedo Studio was founded by a former architect whose passion for classic cars and craftsmanship naturally evolved into something more ambitious.
The Car Manufacturing Process
The company, launched almost ten years ago, currently offers six models, each inspired by iconic European and Japanese examples, and all are built from scratch by a team of young craftsmen.
As seen in a video from Hagerty that visited the workshop, using the word “replica” in this case is not entirely fair, as these cars look just as good as the originals.
Among the cars currently offered are precise interpretations of the Porsche 550 Spyder, Porsche 356, Toyota 2000GT, Aston Martin DB5, Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, and BMW 507.
Legal Restrictions and Technical Solutions
In Indonesia, it is forbidden to import any original cars, which is why Tuksedo Studio builds them themselves. They are all based on the mechanics of existing models that are easy to find on the local market.
For example, the 2000GT uses a Toyota Crown engine, while the 300SL’s powertrain comes from a Mercedes W124 sedan.
Body Manufacturing Technology
To guarantee that each model is absolutely perfect, the company uses original drawings, digitizes them, and then its team slowly creates every body detail from aluminum. There are no fancy tools here, and traditional English wheels are used to shape the panels.
In-House Component Manufacturing
The attention to detail is extraordinary. Given how difficult it is to find original parts on the local market or import them from abroad, Tuksedo Studio creates every single part of its vehicles in-house, except for the windshield and powertrain.
This includes everything from major components such as wheels to smaller, complex parts like steering wheels, instruments, lamps, headlights, reflectors, and door locks.
Every element, outside and inside, is made entirely by hand. We are talking about thousands of individually crafted parts, each shaped and finished with the same care as the previous one.
Limited Production Capacity
The manufacturing process is so complex that, despite having a large team, Tuksedo Studio currently has the capacity to produce only about five cars per year.
With this level of craftsmanship, it is no surprise that prices start at approximately $200,000 and can exceed $300,000, reflecting the time, skill, and precision invested in each assembly.
The price of Tuksedo Studio cars may seem high, but it is fully justified by the level of detail and the individual approach to production. In a world dominated by mass production, such projects remind us of the value of manual labor and uniqueness. Each car becomes not just a vehicle, but a true work of art that preserves the spirit of classic models for future generations.
