48 SHAKERONLINE.COM | SUMMER 2017
in the future will you be able to choose from a
portfolio of designs and have a car built to your
specifications? Simply printed from a digital design
and assembled in any number of micro-factories
around the world?
That’s the concept behind SALAFFDesign. Carlos
orchestrates the configuration, marketing, and sales of
the portfolio of designs – the C1, C2, and C3 – and then
each order, or batch of orders, is assigned to a carefully
curated network of vendors.
So
The C2 will be the first model available, with the C1 following shortly due to its
more complex design and engineering. The C3 will be developed in the longer term.
You can follow @salaffdesign on Instagram for updates on all of the models. He is also
on Facebook, and his website is salaff.com.
While not every car in the foreseeable future will have a 3D-printed body, Carlos
says “it is a reality for those collectors who want to make a more artistic – and often
more extreme – statement, who view a well-engineered vehicle as art, and who retain a
fascination with highly mechanical objects.”
While still spending considerable time drawing and creating digital renderings of
his designs, Carlos clearly enjoys orchestrating the larger process of creating a car from
start to finish. His portfolio designs are adaptable and modular, allowing customers to
swap out the V10 for an electric powertrain for example, while consistently exhibiting
vintage values through a modern design.
When Carlos and his family moved to Shaker Heights, they found a welcoming
and supportive environment for his work. Being an entrepreneur, he has tapped into
the local community of those on a similar journey, and has found mentors from the
automotive and manufacturing industries. “It’s been wonderful,” he says over tea at
Juma. “We’ve met lots of people, love our neighbors, and have had a great experience
with the Shaker schools. Our children have made great friends, and we feel like we
belong. Shaker has embraced our madness.” SL
WHILE NOT EVERY CAR IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE
WILL HAVE A 3D-PRINTED BODY, CARLOS SAYS “IT IS A
REALITY FOR THOSE COLLECTORS WHO WANT TO MAKE A
MORE ARTISTIC – AND OFTEN MORE EXTREME – STATEMENT,
WHO VIEW A WELL-ENGINEERED VEHICLE AS ART,
AND WHO RETAIN A FASCINATION WITH
HIGHLY MECHANICAL OBJECTS.”
When he was 16, writer Michael Peters rebuilt the engine on his first car, a vintage MGB
roadster, with help from his father. You can see him driving that car around Shaker Heights
to this day.
Adaptable and
Modular Designs