Most scale models come in a box with instructions. Petr Seemann’s do not. The Czech transportation engineer and hobby modeller builds his paper car models entirely from scratch, working from photographs and basic technical sketches rather than manufacturer-supplied templates. His latest creation (a 1:10 scale Škoda Kodiaq Sportline) took 18 months and more than 700 hours to complete.
Why the Kodiaq?
Seemann began work shortly after the second-generation Kodiaq’s debut, which meant waiting for technical drawings to become available before he could fully progress. He chose the SUV body style deliberately. As he explained, a saloon like the Superb presents a more complex rear pillar, whereas an SUV’s proportions are more forgiving to replicate accurately in paper and cardboard.
The Sportline trim was a natural fit. Its more pronounced bumpers and sportier detailing gave the model visual interest, even if those same bumpers proved to be the most technically demanding element of the entire build.
Engineering in Miniature
Seemann imported sketches into AutoCAD to extract precise dimensions, including interior seat positions. Outer panels such as the roof and side sections transferred to paper relatively cleanly. The front bumper, however, required repeated trial and error to hold its shape correctly.
Most body panels carry four to five layers of red paint applied directly to glossy model-making paper, finished with a single clear coat. The shade is close to Škoda’s own Velvet Red. Structural rigidity comes from cardboard backing of varying thicknesses, with adhesive chosen part by part depending on the application.
The wheels are built from layered plywood. Brake discs are washers beneath screws, and the brake calipers are mounted to a custom axle beam, which also enables the front wheels to steer. Seemann had to design the steering geometry from the outset so the wheels would clear the wheel arches when turning.
Details That Go Beyond the Obvious
The lighting system is particularly striking. Headlights, taillights, the illuminated grille strip, the instrument panel, and the infotainment display all function. Plexiglass acts as a light guide for small LEDs inside the headlights, with aluminium foil lining the interior to direct light outward, a principle Škoda’s own engineers noted mirrors real production practice.
Inside, each front seat is built from dozens of individual cardboard pieces, then upholstered in two fabric types to replicate the Sportline’s sports seats with integrated headrests. The stitching is real thread, applied by hand with glue so fine that tweezers could not be used. Door panels, air vents, pedals, the Smart Dial controls, and a three-spoke steering wheel are all present. The steering wheel carries the classic Škoda roundel rather than the newer lettering, a period-accurate detail reflecting when the model entered production.
Windows are cut from Durofol, with tinting film applied where needed.
A Seventh Model, and Possibly Not the Last Škoda
Seemann has been building self-designed models since 2016. The Kodiaq is his seventh and most complex to date. He drove the finished model directly to Škoda Auto’s headquarters, where it was well received by the brand’s marketing and product management teams.
He has not announced his next subject, but following the visit to Mladá Boleslav, another Škoda seems plausible. For a project built entirely without factory support, the Kodiaq stands as a reminder of what patience, AutoCAD, and a scalpel can produce.
