London Transport
The Elves got very excited during the Olympics this year, and as such they’ve been looking for anything a bit London-y since. An outing to Flickr uncovered something about as London-y as it’s possible to be; a classic Routemaster Bus. Lego Car Blog favourite Ralph S aka Mad Physicist is the builder behind it, and you can see more here.
Insert Prince for twice the awesome
One of our previous ‘Featured TFOLs‘ has returned with this, a little red Corvette in Model Team style. You can see the full gallery for this American legend at Cars Lover‘s MOCpage.
Andrew Somers’ Supply Truck
Well, a wheel usually. But in this case also one hell of a clever building technique. The Elves found this deeply cool Military Truck by Andrew Somers on MOCpages.
Henning Birkeland’s Mercedes Simplex
Henning Birkeland has built this wonderful 8-wide Mercedes Simplex produced between 1902 and 1909 by Daimler. Look at all those angles and offsets, and the marvelous colour design!
It’s got everything a car needs – four wheels (plus a spare tire), a drop-top, and a crank. What has been improved since those days? I really don’t know … Oh yes, we have airbags. Show your appreciation on MOCpages.
Spacepunk
This very purple viper spaceship is the work of the rather talented tardisblue. Side-note; Punk appears to make a resurgence at some point in the future, judging by the follicly-endowed pilot. Check out the full photo gallery on Flickr.
Looks good, if a little plain, on the outside. But wait until you see what’s underneath!
This fairly normal looking Peterbilt truck hides a big secret. Well, actually about 58 big secrets. Because this truck is built by Sheepo, who is without doubt the most technically capable MOCer working right now. His previous works have astounded the Lego Community, and his latest takes Technic to an entirely new plain. As well as the usual RC drive and steering it features a replica inline-6 Cat diesel engine, a full 20-speed double gearbox and, most incredible of all, a complete pneumatic brake and suspension system. We’re not able to convey just how marvelous this creation is, so sit down and watch in awe as Sheepo explains…
YouTube Video:
In memory of the fallen
This Remembrance Sunday we’ve decided to remind ourselves that the horror of war affected both sides during the World conflicts, and as such it seemed fitting to post this German Tiger Tank, which was uploaded to Flickr by LegoUli yesterday. Most soldiers who fought for the Axis powers during World War II were not Nazis, they were ordinary men conscripted to fight for the ideals of their nation’s leaders.
In recent conflicts the traditional Allies are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with nations deemed sworn enemies 50 years ago. Today we remember the injured, the lost, and those they have left behind. To find out more about the 2012 Poppy Appeal, please click here.
Raw power! Ok, maybe not raw power. Er… Reasonable economy!
Another ‘not a car’ post, but this time it is car-related, honest. This little plastic thingumy is a 1:6 scale BMC A-Series engine, as fitted to all manner of dinky British cars for over 50 years. This wasn’t because it was the world’s greatest engine by any means, rather because the British were too lazy to bother replacing it. Still, they now have a thriving car industry, proving that such thriftiness is well judged and commendable. Is our sarcasm filter on? It is? Oh good. Anyway, this little power-plant did do sterling service in some well loved vehicles, including the Austin/Morris Mini, Morris Minor, Morris Marina/Austin Allegro… wait, maybe not that last one. Nick Barrett, a TLCB regular, is the mechanic behind it. See more, including a video of the engine working, on MOCpages.
A year ago yesterday, the bolts on some small nondescript metal cages were quietly slid back. As the doors of the cages swung silently open, the little figures previously contained within them stepped tentatively out, and began cautiously wandering towards the light slicing through the gloom from the open door at the end of the room.
We watched proudly from the shadows as the creatures made their way across the floor, then in perplexion as they paused and began shuffling around anxiously, and finally in annoyance as the little sods started pushing one another towards the exit and a fight broke out. The blast from an air-horn soon emptied the room, and thus The Lego Car Blog Elves were released into the world to start their unending search for the best Lego vehicles the web has to offer.
In the year that’s passed since that first day we’ve posted over 230 of the Elves’ finds. Creations, news stories and community updates have all found their way onto these pages, earning us 130,000 views, 300 comments (plus nearly 4,000 in spam) and recognition from The LEGO Group.
We’ve lost a few Elves along the way, through canine intervention mostly, and we’ve had to diffuse more than one riot, but in the main it’s been a complete joy publishing the works of some of the best vehicle builders in the LEGO community.
So, from all at The Lego Car Blog, a massive thank you to every one of you that’s visited, commented, or seen their creation featured on these pages. Here’s to our second year!
Not quite a car…
This is not a car. In fact it’s so far outside our vehicular remit we wondered whether to post it. But… there’s something about that entrancing blue glow…
The beautiful picture above is the work of Pierre E Fieschi on Flickr, whose Tesseract space freighter and accompanying Battleship escort are the product of both some serious brick-based talent and a deep working knowledge of the intricacies of Photoshop. View more of his incredible works by clicking on his name above.
Porsche Powered Dune Buggy
This monster dune buggy was unearthed by the Elves on MOCpages. K Wigboldy has included steering, all round independent suspension and, best of all, a huge six cylinder engine hanging out the back.
Insert logs for twice the awesome
Logging is big business. And big business requires big machines. This is a ‘feller buncher’, collecting logs, stripping them of branches and collecting them into piles. And it works. Yes, really, actually works. VH HH on MOCpages is the Technic genius behind it.
YouTube Video:
*Spelt correctly (to our American readers)
Apoco-truck
Halloween may have passed but the Elves are still feeling a bit spooky, and thus one returned to the office carrying this, Proudlove‘s Mitsubishi Pick-Up ‘Famine’. Proudlove’s preceding creation was entitled ‘War’, so expect a few more Horseman of the Apocalypse to come.
Space Police – Ready for anything
Space Police are back! Well, in Crimso Giger‘s head anyway. 20 years after they first appeared Crimso has reworked the theme and come up with this… sort of a like a cross between a roller skate, a crop duster and an RV. We’re a bit stumped as to what its purpose is but we’re willing to overlook that due to its retro cool. See more on Flickr.
*Not really
Cookin’ Rice
The Honda Civic, sold new to grannies to go to the shops in once a week, then bought second hand by boy racers due to its high power / low insurance combination, is probably the street car of the ’90s. The remaining ’80s and ’90s Civics on the road today all tend to look like this one; big exhaust, induction kit, big bumper bodykit and phat alloys. Ruined handling and refinement too, but that’s not important when you’re 18. This awesome Technic Supercar incarnation of the Ricer’s favourite is the work of LegoMarat on Flickr. It features a working 4-cylinder turbo engine, FWD, suspension, steering, and folding seats.
Phaaaaarp!