This link is very helpful for the arduino:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Bluetooth-Controlled-Arduino-RC-Car/step6/

Hopefully-this-helped/. It assumes that we will use a store bought rc car, but I think we should try to make our own. This may be a more helpful link:

http://www.instructables.com/id/homemade-rc-car/

Because it goes through the whole process with a homemade RC car, but it doesn’t use a Arduino. It also goes through the process of making the remote control from scratch.  I think wood may be the most realistic choice of material, but i think PVC could also be an easy to use material and metal would be very strong and be able to hold the most weight.