Based in Tampa, Florida, Starr Creations, a powerhouse in fiberglass design and fabrication, is known for turning ambitious automotive visions into reality. Jesse Starr, creative director and 3D designer, founded the company with a passion for racing and innovation.

Starr Creations has been the exclusive body fabricator for Feld Entertainment’s Monster Jam trucks since 2014, marking more than 34 full-size monster truck bodies and countless other high-profile automotive projects. 

The company’s impressive portfolio includes projects for legendary automotive personalities like Cleetus McFarland and Justin “Danger” Nunley, along with many other renowned brands, such as ToyMakerz, Feld Entertainment, Diesel Brothers, Petty’s Garage, Tomfoolery Motorsports, Amelie Oil, Wolf’s Head Motor Oil, and JConcepts. More of the team’s amazing work can be seen on Starr Creations’ YouTube channel.

“Our mission is simple: Develop exceptional, visually stunning, and functionally perfect bodies,” says Starr. “But making that happen consistently, project after project, demands the right tools and technology.”

3D accuracy problems lead to pricey uncertainties

Before integrating 3D measurement technologies, Starr Creations relied on conventional manual measurement methods and fabrication processes. Crafting fiberglass bodies without precise chassis data was a painstaking and error-prone process fraught with uncertainty. Designs based purely on manual measurements often resulted in imperfect fits, extensive rework, wasted materials, and frustrating delays.

Starr vividly remembered his “aha!” moment during the team’s appearance on ToyMakerz, when they faced an unprecedented challenge: building a custom body for a chassis located 10 hours away in another state. Legacy methods meant guesswork, multiple trips, and high risk. The consequences of misalignment or dimensional inaccuracies weren’t just inconvenient; they could lead to costly rebuilds and compromised performance on the track.

“The risk of dedicating three months of work only to discover the final body wouldn’t fit terrified me,” says Starr. “Every project felt like a gamble, especially when having to design. I knew we had to up our technology game.” 

A Starr Creations technician uses the HandySCAN 3D|MAX Series scanner on the interior of a racer.

A leap forward with metrology-grade 3D scanning

Starr Creations looked for a 3D measurement solution that would transform design and production workflows from uncertainty to absolute confidence. Accuracy, ease of use, speed, and model quality became Starr’s must-have criteria. After extensive research, Starr’s team selected Creaform’s HandySCAN 3D|MAX Series scanner. 

The handheld laser 3D scanner was well-suited to Starr Creations’ needs, offering metrology-grade 3D scanning for large and complex parts. After integrating the Scan-to-CAD module from the Creaform Metrology Suite, Starr and the team gained access to tools that improved the efficiency and accuracy of their reverse-engineering workflows.

CAD software enables users to carry out sophisticated postprocessing on 3D scans.

The transition was instantaneous. Without extensive training, Starr quickly adopted the new technology, successfully performing his first crucial 3D scan on the ToyMakerz project. The portable 3D scanner generated bulletproof digital replicas of complex chassis and automotive bodies with unmatched simplicity, even in challenging shop-floor environments.

Implementing Creaform’s solutions was smooth and intuitive; 3D scanning quickly became an integral and indispensable step in the fabrication process. Starr Creations jumped straight from reactive troubleshooting to proactive, precision-driven design.

“The 3D scanner is fast and a breeze to use. It felt natural from Day One. It soon played a pivotal role in every project we took on,” Starr says. 

Race-changing efficiency and unmatched quality for custom auto parts with 3D scanners 

Over time, Starr Creations has dramatically reduced production times, eliminating guesswork and virtually eradicating fitment issues. Projects that once took months, requiring constant adjustments and material waste, now proceed smoothly and are completed impeccably on the first attempt.

Other tangible benefits include:
• Reduced production time: Eliminated weeks, sometimes months, of iterative rework
• Cost savings: Significant reduction in labor hours and materials spent on corrections
• Higher confidence: Guaranteed precision fitment, allowing bold, creative decisions without hesitation
• Competitive advantage: Ability to accept more complex, ambitious projects previously deemed too risky

The investment in Creaform’s 3D scanning tech generated impressive returns, helping Starr Creations deliver consistent quality, expand its portfolio, and elevate its industry reputation.

Redesigning Cleetus McFarland’s legendary C5 Corvette-based drag racer

One of Starr Creations’ standout projects was the iconic body redesign for Leroy, Cleetus McFarland’s legendary C5 Corvette-based drag racer—the fastest stick-shift Chevrolet in the world at the time. Leroy’s high-profile status meant no margin for error; the design had to optimize aerodynamic performance dramatically.

‘Thanks to Creaform, we now confidently pursue projects we previously would have turned down. There’s no second-guessing, no what-ifs—just flawless execution every time.’
—Jesse Starr

The team began by scanning the existing chassis and framework of Leroy using the HandySCAN 3D|MAX Series scanner. Capturing intricate details with pinpoint accuracy, Starr imported the scans directly into a digital workflow. Leveraging other third-party software, Starr Creations digitally designed and rigorously tested the new aerodynamic body, boosting Leroy’s performance potential. When wind tunnel tests were conducted in North Carolina, the real-world results astonishingly surpassed even the ambitious digital predictions.

This digital-first approach enabled Starr and the team to avoid the trial-and-error pitfalls of old-school fabrication techniques. 

“The moment we confirmed our digital simulations with real-world testing was incredible,” says Starr. “We had transformed Leroy from an aerodynamic brick to a race-ready marvel. This was something unimaginable without Creaform’s technology.” 

The future for Starr Creations is bright, with several exciting projects lined up for Netflix as well as influential social media collaborations. Each upcoming build promises even greater creativity and innovation.

Starr says, “With Creaform’s solutions, the possibilities for our future feel truly limitless. They didn’t just change how we work. They changed what we believe we can accomplish.”

Published July 25, 2025, by Creaform.