Hauling Bricks

Leave a reply

Lego FTF F8.8.20D Truck

This incredible model is a classic FTF F8.8.20D, recreated perfectly in bricks for hauling… bricks. The strange-looking yellow device mounted in the rear allows heavy loads to be unloaded swiftly and the model is packed with a vast amount of other authentic detailing.

Lego FTF F8.8.20D Truck

TLCB Master MOCer Dennis Bosman is the builder behind it, having recently updated his model with LEGO’s latest parts. A large gallery of stunning imagery is available to view on Flickr, and you can read our interview with Dennis revealing how he builds his amazing models such as this one by clicking here.

Lego FTF F8.8.20D Truck

75875 Rewound

Leave a reply

Lego Hot Rod and Pick-Up 75875

LEGO’s 75875 Speed Champions set is a neat officially-licensed product, complete with a modern Ford F-150 pick-up and a retro Ford Coupe hot rod. Previous bloggee Jonathan Elliott is feeling even more retro though and he’s reworked the set backwards by around 40 years to create a 1970s F-150 and a 1925 Ford Model-T racer. Step back in time at the link above.

Lego Hot Rod and Pick-Up 75875

Dodge Challenger R/T – Picture Special

3 Replies

Lego Dodge Challenger R/T

Launched in 1970 the Dodge Challenger was the Chrysler Corporation’s answer to the Ford’s Mustang and General Motors’ Camaro. To compete with the wide variety of models available from Ford the Challenger could be specified in a myriad of engine and trim options, from a 3.4 litre slant-6 making about 4bhp to the monstrous 7 litre and 7.2 litre Hemi and RB V8s. You can guess which end of this scale we have represented here today!

Lego Dodge Challenger R/T

The original Challenger only lasted a few short years, arriving very late to the muscle car party when most people were already passed out or staggering home. The fuel crisis of the 1970s didn’t help much either and the Challenger was gone by 1974. Despite its short lifespan though, original Challengers are seriously sought-after, and the design made enough of a lasting impression for Chrysler to resurrect it with a retro-styled reboot in 2008, a car which is still available today.

Lego Dodge Challenger Hemi V8

This absolutely spectacular 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T (with the big V8) comes from previous bloggee Dave Slater who has captured the real car beautifully in Model Team form. Opening doors reveal a wonderfully detailed interior, whilst the iconic hood can raise to reveal a stunning (and very orange) replica of the 426 Hemi V8 underneath.

There are lots more brilliant images to see at Dave’s Dodge Challenger R/T Flickr album – click the link above, find an empty and dead-straight road, and nail the throttle.

Lego Dodge Challenger R/T

Biggie Smalls

Leave a reply

Lego Lunar Rover

Some things are a lot smaller than you expect them to be. At least that’s what your Mom said to this TLCB Writer the other night. Anyway, this enormous mobile exploration base by Flickr’s Robert Heim isn’t actually enormous at all. In fact the entire front is made out of a mini-figure torso and jet pack mounted upside-down. It’s unclear how said mini-figure astronaut met such a gruesome end, but his remains sure make for a natty-looking lunar rover. More nice parts usage abounds and there’s more to see at Robert’s photostream – click the link above to make the jump.

Bug-Eye

2 Replies

Lego Subaru WRX STI

Some cars wow the motoring world upon their release, causing a ripple of appreciation for their design, engineering progress and beauty.

This is not one of those cars.

The second generation Subaru Impreza had a lot to live up to. The original was the WRC poster car for a generation, and whilst it may have been a fairly boring Japanese box underneath, turbo-charged engines and all-wheel-drive turned the first generation Impreza (in WRX/STI form at least) into a cult car overnight.

By 2000 though it was time for the difficult sequel, and with the motoring world eagerly expecting something spectacular Subaru launched…. this.

It’s safe to say that the second generation Impreza was not positively received. It was a slightly better car in every respect than the original though, and it still found buyers thanks to its rally pedigree. A much needed facelift in 2004 and again in 2006 lessened the aesthetic stupidity, but the damage was done, ushering in a long decline in Europe that sadly for Subaru shows no sign of abating.

Lego Subaru WRX STI

As a result the second generation Impreza is now worth about £50, meaning you can pick up a car with genuine rally pedigree that will beat pretty much anything away from the lights for next-to-nothing. Unfortunately this means the WRX has become the favoured tool of the Donuts-in-a-Parking-Lot-Pikey, ruining Cars & Coffee meets for everyone else the world over.

Which is a shame, because catastrophically ugly though the second generation Impreza WRX is, it’s still a fantastic performance car. It’s just you can’t drive one without wearing a paper bag over your head.

We’ll settle for this one then, a rather delightful Model Team style replica from previous bloggee Alexander Paschoaletto. Alex has captured the second-gen Impreza’s, er… ‘unique’ look brilliantly, and he’s included a detailed engine and interior accessible via an opening hood and four opening doors.

There are lots more images of Alexander’s 2001 Subaru Impreza WRX STI to see on both Flickr and MOCpages – Click the links above to do some donuts in a McDonald’s car park.

Lego Subaru WRX STI

The Best Car in the World (Again)

1 Reply

Lego Lexus LFA

Lexus LFA’s are like buses. You wait ages for one and then two come along at once. That’s where the similarity stops though.

As per the other LFA post earlier this month a well-known presenter of a well-known motoring TV show (and its anonymous driver) claim that the Lexus LFA is the best car in the world. We wouldn’t go that far, but it is quite a thing. Spun from carbon using one of only two carbon-fibre looms in existence and powered by a sonorous F1-inspired V10 the LFA can lay claim to being one of the most unique supercars ever made.

This superb Model Team replica of Japan’s iconic supercar comes from Noah L (aka Lego Builders) and there’s more to see of the build on both Flickr and MOCpages – click the links for all the images.

Lego Lexus LFA

Eagle Weslake Mk1 | Picture Special

Leave a reply

Lego Eagle Weslake Mk1

The UK and US have a long and successful racing history. The AC Cobra, the Ford GT40, Lola, Chevrolet-McLaren and many more all prove that Anglo-American collaboration can produce an incredible racing car. The Anglo-American Racing Eagle Weslake Mk1 however, did not.

Built by American Formula 1 driver Dan Gurney the Eagle Weslake Mk1 wowed crowds when it debuted at the start of the 1966 season. The car initially raced with Dan at the wheel powered by a Coventry-Climax four-cylinder engine, until it’s purpose-built Gurney-Westlake V12 was ready for the ’67 season.

Often cited as the most beautiful Formula 1 car ever built, if the newly-engined V12-powered Mk1 went as well as it looked it would be a championship winner.

Lego Eagle Weslake Mk1

It didn’t.

Despite obvious speed allowing the Mk1 to qualify at or near the front of the grid almost all season, chronic fragility of the Gurney-Weslake V12 engine meant the car retired from every race bar two. The two races in which it did finish were both podiums though, proving the speed was there and making Dan Gurney one of only three drivers ever to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix in a car of their own making.

However the Eagle-Weslake’s statistics don’t make for great reading. Of the 26 races the Mk1 started the car finished just six, and in three of those it was powered by the old Coventry-Climax engine. By the end of 1968 Anglo-American Racing closed its doors and Gurney returned to the ‘states under the All American Racing banner to continue competing in domestic championships.

Lego Eagle Weslake Mk1 F1

Nevertheless the Gurney-Weslake Mk1 was a race-winner and thus deserves its place in the Formula 1 Hall of Fame. TLCB Master MOCer Luca Rusconi (aka RoscoPC) has recreated the Mk1 in spectacular detail, as he continues to upload his huge back-catalogue of historic racing cars to Flickr.

First built in 2013 (when it appeared here) Luca’s model has been beautifully re-photgraphed, and it features working suspension, functioning steering, and an accurate replica of the unreliable Gurney-Weslake V12 engine. A whole host of stunning images are available to view at Luca’s Eagle-Weslake Flickr album – click here to take a look.

The Devil’s Flatbed

Leave a reply

Lego 1950s Flatbed Truck

We know this is just a 1950s truck, but we’ve never seen a flatbed that looks so…. satanic. Previous bloggee Redfern1950s owns the mind behind it and there’s more to see at his photostream. Click the link above to take the highway to hell.

Teutonic Turbo

Leave a reply

Lego Porsche 911 Turbo

Certain cars are synonymous with the technology with which they popularised. Early on in the SUV’s meteoric rise they were all called Jeeps, whether or not they were made by the Jeep Company, and until recently all vans in the UK were known as Transits, regardless of their actual model name.

And then there’s ‘Turbo’. Back in the ’80s everything was a turbo. Turbo bags, turbo aftershave, turbo sunglasses. Turbo became a synonym for ‘fast’, and everyone wanted to cash in. There was however one car that defined the turbo era. The Porsche 911 Turbo.

Produced from 1975, first with a turbocharged 3.0 air-cooled flat-6 and then a 3.3, the Porsche 930 series was indeed simply badged as ‘Turbo’ in some markets. It was also terrifying. With up to 330bhp on offer – all of which would arrive some considerable time after the driver pressed the accelerator peddle – 930s became the second largest killer of stockbrokers after cocaine.

We’ll stick with this one then, which looks far easier to pilot than the real thing. Built by previous bloggee Dornbi, who’s better known for his superb Lego aircraft, this brilliant Model Team mid-’80s Porsche 911 930-series perfectly captures the real Turbo. It’s even in 1980s white! There’s much more to see at Dornbi’s photostream – take a look via the link above. Just be careful with the throttle.

Lego Porsche 911 Turbo

Toyota Hilux – Picture Special

2 Replies

Lego Toyota Hilux 4x4

Toyota’s legendary Hilux is now in its eighth generation, and it’s more impressive than ever. But we’d rather have this one, a glorious mid-’80s fourth gen. Still seen all around the world in the most inhospitable climates, the ’80s Hilux has become something of a cult car, helped no doubt by BBC Top Gear’s unsuccessful attempts to destroy one.

Lego Technic Toyota Hilux 4x4

Which makes it a little strange that we don’t see more Hiluxes recreated in LEGO form. However today, after three years of engineering, we do have a LEGO Hilux to share, courtesy of Technic wizard Egor Karshiev (aka rm8).

Egor’s N40 series Toyota Hilux looks absolutely spot-on, even including the famous ‘TOYOTA’ script on the tailgate. Underneath the accurate Technic bodywork Egor has installed a wealth of superb off-roading goodies, allowing his model Hilux to do everything the real one can. Only in miniature obviously…

Lego Technic Toyota Hilux 4x4 RC

An XL motor provides power to all four wheels via differentials on each axle, both of which are solid and fitted with three or four link suspension. Remotely controlled steering is provided by a Servo motor, LEDs illuminate the headlights, and a third-party SBrick bluetooth receiver allows the model to be controlled via a mobile phone.

Finally the entire pick-up bed is removable, and the doors, hood and tailgate all open, revealing an engine bay and a detailed five-seat interior.

Lego Technic Toyota Hilux 4x4 RC

Egor has built both stock and ‘adventure’ versions of his remote control Hilux and has photographed them brilliantly both in-studio and in some awesome outdoor shots. There are lots more images available of both the stock and adventure versions on Flickr via the links above, you can read full build details at Egor’s MOCpage, and you can join in the discussion at the Eurobricks forum by clicking here.

Finally of course, no Technic model can be considered a proper remote control off-roader without a suitably cool video. Take at look at the Hilux in action below…

YouTube Video:

Monster Bug

1 Reply

Lego Monster Bug 4x4 Crawler

We’re going to need a bigger slipper…

Sariel’s latest creation sure looks tough to squash. Not so our Elves, who are famously easy to smush into the office carpet. It’s been a while since the last Elven flattening, but fear not readers – today Elf-on-Elf violence returned in a big way.

With all-wheel-drive powered by two XL Motors geared for rock-crawling Sariel’s latest build wouldn’t normally be fast enough to claim any victims. Add in a third-party BuWizz battery and bluetooth receiver combo though, and up to eight times more power than LEGO’s own system can be delivered to the motors.

The aggressively low gearing still caps the top speed at a lowly figure mind, but if an Elf were to quietly sneak out of the cage room while its colleagues were seated around the old TV watching Transformers cartoons, and return at the controls of this, there really wouldn’t be much chance of escape.

Sigh. We now have some clearing up to do and a jubilant Elf needs a meal token reward (not for the smushing, just the find), so we’ll hand you over to Sariel’s photostream for all the photos. Click the link to take a look at his monster bug.

Worth a Second Look

Leave a reply

Lego 23

Missed by our Elves, but found by a reader, we’re handing over to a Guest Blogger today. Nils O picks up TLCB pen…

Some things are worth a second look and you’ll discover a hidden gem. This rover built by (Neo) Classic Space veteran David Roberts is such a gem. At the first glance you’ll see a good looking chunky rover in a cool NCS style. But if you look closer you’ll see a bit more…

The design is almost 100% SNOT, with a very detailed interior, and there are some very well hidden Technic functions… Look closely and you may notice the tip of an IR receiver. That’s because the whole model has aPower Functions remote control system hidden within, with an L motor for drive and a Servo motor for steering. And there’s still more. The steering has cunning Ackermann geometry, giving a different steering angle for each wheel, and there’s pendular suspension for the rear axle too. The more you look the more you’ll find. How cool is that?

Thanks to Nils for joining us as a Guest Blogger. If you’ve found a creation that our slovenly Elves have missed you can suggest it to us via the Feedback Page, and you may even be asked to pick up TLCB pen yourself!

The Most Beautiful Model…

Leave a reply

Lego Supermarine Spitfire

…of the most beautiful aircraft ever built. This is of course the thunderous Supermarine Spitfire, recreated in astonishing realism in Mk. 1a form by Lennart C of Flickr. There really aren’t words to do the photos justice, so we’ll get straight to the link. Click here to see more of this incredible creation.

Lego Supermarine Spitfire

Ford GT – Picture Special

1 Reply

Lego Technic Ford GT

This glorious Technic Ford GT was found by one of our Elves this morning, and it comes from previous bloggee Artemy Zotov (aka Fanylover). One of the most visually accurate Technic vehicles we’ve seen in some time, Artemy’s GT is loaded with aesthetic realism. Being a Technic creation the beauty isn’t just skin deep though, as a working miniature V8 engine driven by the rear wheels, functioning steering via both the steering wheel and a hand-of-God system, and opening doors, engine cover and front trunk all feature.

Lego Technic Ford GT

There’s more too, as Artemy has built a remotely controlled version alongside the manual car pictured here, utilising a third-party SBrick bluetooth receiver, two L Motors for drive, a Servo for steering, and four sets of LED lights. There are more images to see of the manual car via both MOCpages and the Eurobricks forum, where you can also watch a video of the RC version in action. Click the links above to find out more.

Lego Technic Ford GT

Get It Up

Leave a reply

Lego Liebherr Mobile Crane

Nick Barrett’s got a big one. It might not look it here, but this 15-wide Liebherr LTM 1130 mobile crane can grow to almost six feet tall! A four part extending boom is the key to such impressive length, utilising reels of string and a full-length ratchet mechanism (no linear actuators here). The entire superstructure can turn too, allowing the boom to slew left and right whilst the control cab can tilt to enable the driver to look along his huge appendage.

Working suspension on all five axles provides a smooth ride, and helps to keep the boom up when the going gets rough, a V8 piston engine is turned via axle 4, whilst steering on axles 1, 2 and 5 allows the crane to get into tighter positions. That’s quite a list, as Nick’s build is packed with playable features, and you can see more – including photos of the Liebherr in its fully-extended glory – at his MOCpage. Click the link to get it up!

Lego Liebherr Mobile Crane