Star Wars’ Millennium Falcon was made out of car model parts

The Millennium Falcon from Star Wars was made out of car parts but still made its mark in movie history.

When Han Solo’s ship first appeared in 1977, it was a special effects marvel.

But a closer look would give away the fact that it’s made out of scale model Tamiya race car parts.

Not that it would dampen anybody’s enthusiasm for a crucial piece of a story set a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, but still.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

Behind the scenes of Star Wars

The model used in A New Hope was five feet and only appeared in that film.

By the time that the Falcon reappeared in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, a smaller version was being used, as reported by motor1.

If you look at the exterior of the ship, it makes sense that it’d be made of different car parts.

To match its reputation as the ship of rough-and-tumble smuggler Han Solo, the Falcon looks as if it’s been in its fair of scraps.

It also looks like it’s pieced together with different scraps of metal, which it is kind of is.

It was Tamiya themselves who revealed the link between themselves and the film franchise.

To commemorate the release of the new Star Wars Outlaws game, they tweeted: “Did you know the Millennium Falcon’s complex surface is covered with Tamiya kit parts from F1 cars, tanks and aircraft?”

With @starwars video game Outlaws launching today… did you know the Millennium Falcon's complex surface is covered with Tamiya kit parts from @F1 cars, tanks and aircraft? These include parts from @ScuderiaFerrari 312B and @McLarenF1 M23! #starwars #tamiya #outlaws #models pic.twitter.com/H5sbFB1pVo

— TAMIYA UK (@TamiyaUK) August 29, 2024

Approximately 2,000 parts from various kits were used on the original model, many coming from Tamiya 1:12 scale race cars.

This isn’t the first time the worlds of Star Wars and cars have overlapped, as evidenced by these Star Wars-themed Volkswagen cars.

A closer look at the Millennium Falcon

Looking along the side of the Falcon, you can see pieces that would look more at home on an Earth-bound car.

Engine parts from a Tamiya Ferrari 312B appear on the front, while the exhaust of a 1957 Chevy is positioned nearby.

Over on RPF forums – a site dedicated to crafts – fans discussed the intricate details of the original model.

Pieces of military vehicles and aircraft were incorporated into the design, with tank barrels, wheels, and treads all over the spacecraft.

Whatever it’s made of, the Falcon won a place in the hearts of many a moviegoer, and has lived on through video games and Lego sets ever since.

It’s always really cool to see how pieces of movie magic are brought to life – take a look at how the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park are done.