It is very common in the industry to use miniaturized (1/4, 1/8, 1/10 scale) models to study potential stress and strain relationships in body and chassis structures. They are even strain gaged when specific details are wanted.

The effect of strains on compliance steer and camber deflections are studied carefully and managed to produce acceptable (or desirable) values. Twist axle rear suspensions are a good example. This guides the mega construction of finite element models and the selection of normal mode participation in ride and handling analysis.

The use of such models for aero work is probably more well known.