1,000mph

1 Reply

That might sound like a number from the spec sheet of any number of supercar start-ups that flare into existence only to burn out before they’ve made anything, but a 1,000mph car really might happen soon.

The Bloodhound LSR (Land Speed Record) car is due to continue high speed testing this year, after going into administration* in 2018, despite having some high profile sponsors including Jaguar. Now under new ownership, the Bloodhound will run again, and we can’t wait, particularly after it all looked to be over just a year ago.

Minh-Kha N. thinks so too, having created this neat Lego model of the Bloodhound LSR that was suggested to us by a reader. You can see more of Minh’s model at his photostream via the link above, where we’ll be crossing our fingers that the LSR hits the magic 1,000mph mark someday soon.

*Like all supercar start-ups that flare into existence only to burn out…

Purple Porka

1 Reply

Some things don’t look good in lavender. Dogs for example. Anything modified by Mansory. Although that’s probably down to being modified by Mansory more than the colour. They could take a lesson from SP_LINEUP of Flickr, who has not only managed to tastefully modify a Porsche 911, it’s rockin’ a purple paint-job that looks, well… awesome. Head to SP’s photostream via the link for more purple perfection.

Super-8

Leave a reply

LEGO’s Speed Champions range has stepped up its scale to 8-wide for 2020, bringing increased realism to the line-up. Lego builders are taking advantage of this too, building creations in a matching scale with more detail than could be squeezed into a 6-wide build. dazzz99 has done just that, and is here making his TLCB debut with this excellent 8-wide hot rod. See more on Flickr via the link.

Big Body

Leave a reply

Discovered on Flickr today, this is a Caterpillar Challenger MT 865 tractor, and not only does it look properly cool for a tractor, it’s towing something that has so many ‘Your Mom’ jokes we don’t know where to start. Keko007‘s Krampe Big Body 500 is as detailed as the Caterpillar pulling it, and you can see more at Keko’s album via the link above.

Transport RSR

Leave a reply

Porsche’s 911 RSR racer is easily the most earsplitting racing car that this TLCB Writer has heard. Aston Martin and Corvette V8s, Formula 1 cars,  LMP1 racers, historic V12s… nothing hurts your ears like an RSR. They’re quite a thing to behind then, and LEGO have added their own rather excellent (and significantly quieter) version to the Technic line-up with the 42096 Porsche 911 RSR set.

The real 911 RSR is damaging hearing globally as it races around the world in various international series, including the World Endurance Championship which includes Le Mans, and GT3 racing. Transported by large trailers, we would not want to be inside when an RSR is fires up. Previous bloggee Lucio Switch has decided that his 42096 set deserves a fitting race transporter too, and as such has built this incredible fully remote controlled Technic truck and trailer to match the 42096 Porsche 911 RSR set.

Inside the trailer, which includes a matching livery, are tools and a tyre rack, a parking space for the 911 RSR set, and a six-seat cabin/meeting room for the team. The truck towing the trailer is just as impressive, with a brilliantly detailed six-cylinder engine (above) and interior, working steering, suspension and fifth wheel, and opening doors and hood. It also looks spectacular, as you can see in the beautiful photos here, with Lucio’s stunning presentation and lighting.

Both truck and trailer also feature Power Functions motors, giving the model remote control drive and steering, a two-speed gearbox, motorised support legs and a powered trailer ramp. There are more images of this phenomenal racing transporter available to view at Lucio’s Flickr album entitled simply ‘US Truck’ and at the Eurobricks discussion forum – Click the links to make the jump to see full details, and if you haven’t heard the real Porsche 911 RSR on which the 42096 Technic set is based, max your speakers, click here, and then imagine a noise at least a billion times louder.

Giulia GTA

1 Reply

This ridiculously pretty model of a ridiculously pretty car comes from Jonathan Elliott of Flickr. It’s an Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA, built between 1965 and ’69 and fitted with Alfa Romeo’s advanced twin-cam 1600cc engine and aluminium bodywork. This cleverness made the GTA a brilliant racer, but even if it wasn’t we’d still want one because look at it! See more of Jonathan’s 6-wide recreation of Alfa Romeo’s high-point at the link above.

BuWizz Buggy

Leave a reply

Like our Elves, this BuWizz Buggy by Anto is small, nimble, and a little aesthetically challenged. However unlike our Elves it’s also rather clever and it can be controlled via a mobile phone.

A LEGO Buggy Motor and a BuWizz bluetooth battery provide Anto’s buggy with ludicrous power, whilst all-wheel suspension aims to keep that power on the ground.

Anto has released instructions for his design should you wish to have a go yourself and you can find those and further imagery on Eurobricks via the link.

Greebling Greatness

1 Reply

‘How many greebles would you like your Neo-Classic Spaceship to have sir?… ‘Yes.’ Mansur Soeleman has used all the greebles to create this greeblicious ‘LL-527 Falchion’ spacecraft. Head to Mansur’s greebletastic album on Flickr via the link above for even more greebley goodness.

Social Distancing

Leave a reply

In these times of social distancing, escaping to a campsite seems pretty tempting. Except it would likely be full of vloggers in Volkswagen Campers eating all-natural-ethnically-sourced-peace-crisps and claiming positive energy can cure Coronavirus whilst never being further than five feet from wifi.

Real wanderers forgo Instagram-friendly VW’s and #vanlife for far more practical vehicles, like this magnificent Ford Transit Mk2 camper, something this TLCB writer hasn’t seen in years but recognised immediately from this brilliant mini-figure recreation by Flickr’s November Juliett.

Hardly any Mk2 Transits have survived, because they were used hard, were never on trend, and were therefore pretty much worthless after a few years. Which makes them infinitely cooler than another $25,000 Volkswagen inhabited by people claiming they’ve given up materialism.

Head into the wilderness for some proper social distancing courtesy of November’s superb Ford Transit Camper via the link above.

Lamborghini Centenario | Picture Special

1 Reply

This amazing model is a 1:8 scale replica of Lamborghini’s ultra-limited Centenario hypercar, a V12-engined 760bhp celebration of what would have been their founder’s 100th birthday, sold by invitation only to just forty of the brand’s most discerning (read ‘wealthy’) customers.

Unless you’re one of those forty (let us know if you are!) you’ll probably never even see a Centenario, let alone drive one, but today we can offer you the chance to own one for yourself, as yup – this incredible recreation of Lamborghini’s exclusive hypercar can be built at home from standard LEGO pieces (although the model pictured here is enhanced with some 3D-printed rims and bespoke decals).

It comes from T Lego of Eurobricks, who has replicated not just the Centenario’s wild exterior but has also accurately recreated the engineering within too, and has released instructions so can can create your very own Centenario at home. We suspect this might take the total number built a bit above forty…

The bright blue exterior is superbly accurate and includes an opening hood and engine cover, opening scissor doors (controlled by a HOG mechanism), and a raising rear spoiler (also deployed via HOG).

Inside T Lego’s Centenario he’s created an accurate interior with a working steering wheel controlling the front wheels, and a working 7-speed sequential gearbox, controlled via the centre console. A V12 piston engine is turned via an all-wheel-drive system complete with three differentials, whilst all four wheels also feature clever pushrod inboard suspension, making the model every bit as technically advanced as the real car.

There’s much more of T Lego’s spectacular Technic Supercar to see at the Eurobricks discussion forum via the link above, where you can read full build details, view a video of the model’s features, and find a link to building instructions so you can build your very own.

Technic 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R | Set Preview

6 Replies

Our Elves have been sneaking! This is the brand new for 2020 Technic 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R, uncovered by one of our smelly little workers deep inside The LEGO Company’s HQ.

Joining the superb 42063 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure set, 42107 becomes the second officially-licensed Technic motorcycle and about the fiftieth real-world vehicle to join LEGO’s line up from the ever-expanding Volkswagen empire, which includes Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, and Volkswagen themselves.

With 646 pieces, the new 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R is fairly parts-intensive for a bike, with several pieces making their debut on this set too – just look at those lovely telescopic front forks! Detail also continues to be high, with a new windshield faring, disc brakes, complex exhaust, and accurate decals.

Underneath the superbly realistic exterior 42107 includes some proper Technic functionality too, with steering, front and rear suspension (the front via those new telescopic dampers), a V4 engine, and – for the first time on a Technic motorcycle – a gearbox, in this case offering two speeds.

The new 42107 Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R will be available to buy from June 1st 2020, is expected to cost around $60, and we think it’s absolutely superb.

Forty Eight

Leave a reply

This beautiful (and beautifully presented) Harley Davidson Forty Eight was discovered by one our Elves on Flickr today. Superbly recreated and photographed on a matching monochrome background (FLAVIO) has created some of the finest Lego imagery we’ve featured this year. Head to (FLAVIO)’s photostream via the link above to see more.

The Lawmen are Crooks, the Good Guys are Outlaws and Ever’body’s In-Laws!

2 Replies

We didn’t get ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ here in TLCB’s home nation, but we wish we had. After all, what’s not to like about a Dodge Charger jumping over  a river, a tractor, a train, a barn, a truck full of outhouses, a truck full of barrels… you get the idea.

Unfortunately this meant hundreds of ’69 Dodge Chargers – now incredibly valuable cars – were sacrificed in the name of entertainment, but they were a bit less valuable in the ’70s and ’80s.

Flickr’s Chris Radbone has put one back though, with his enormous Model Team recreation of the Duke Boys’ ’69 Dodge Charger ‘General Lee’, complete with working steering, a V8 engine, a 5-speed gearbox, and authentic ’01’ decals and flag-with-slightly-racist-connotations on the roof.

His near 8kg model also includes working suspension, so presumably he can jump it over various household obstacles in proper ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ fashion. Head to Chris’ photostream to join the good ‘ol boys!

Big Man

Leave a reply

Remote control enormity is the order of the day here at TLCB, as today’s second creation is also packed with Power Functions motors. In fact both are, as this is two amazing models in one, with a BuWizz-controlled MAN F2000 EVO pulling a giant SBrick-controlled Tiefbettauflieger trailer (complete with LEGO’s superb 42030 Technic Volvo L350F set as load). Each is the work of Bricks_n_Trucks of Flickr and each is a stunning showcase for how realistic Lego building can get. Click the link above to make the jump to Bricks_n_Trucks’ photostream for more.

Steam Powered Smushery

1 Reply

This is an 1857 Blackburn Agricultural Engine, and steampunky as it may appear, this really was a working* steam-powered traction engine, complete with a boiler and two-cylinder steam engine mounted inside the enormous front wheel.

Recreating this Victorian oddity is Nikolaus Lowe, who has not only replicated the Blackburn’s remarkable appearance, he’s included Power Functions motors so that his version can trundle around too. Only it’s likely geared much higher than the real thing was, as Nikolaus’ model is much too fast for a steam traction engine. This may not be Victorian-authentic, but it sure pleased the Elf that found it…

Sitting atop its find, the aforementioned Elf trundled into the Elves’ cage room and simply flattened those that were milling about on the floor, so evenly and precisely they could have been cookie cut-outs. Thank the Blackburn’s huge heavy drum for that neatness. Pressed Elves do not produce wine as it turns out, just vomit and other bodily fluids, so we’ve got some cleaning up to do. Whilst we get on with that you can check out more of Nikolaus’ amazing machine on Flickr – click the link above to take a look.

*No proof exists today, but there is a photo of an updated version from the 1860s, so we like to think this really did work.