2017 Year In Review

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Lego 2018

The Lego Car Blog staff, including most of our Elves, have survived another year! With 2018 just a round the corner we take a look at the past 12 months…

Stats; 2017 featured nearly 500 posts and one million views, with fewer than a dozen countries on earth yet to discover us (come on North Korea!). The most popular visitor nation is the United States of America, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. A special mention goes to the one visitor from Somalia, proving LEGO fans can be found (almost) anywhere!

Lego Cars

Creations; Hundreds more cars, trucks, motorcycles, aircraft, plus the odd spaceship, have appeared here at The Lego Car Blog over the past twelve months. Our Elves continue to scour all of the best Lego-sharing resources – not just Flickr – to enable us to publicise the very best Lego vehicles that the web has to offer. As long as the Lego community keeps building them, we’ll keep blogging them next year.

The Lego Car Blog

Interviews; The Master MOCers Series returned for a second season! Three more of the world’s very best builders entered the Master MOCer Hall of Fame this year, with eight more places remaining in season two. Who will join the ranks in 2018?

Lego Reviews

Reviews; Even more reviews both of official LEGO sets and third-party products were added to the burgeoning Review Library. You guys even wrote a few yourselves! We aim to keep adding to this in 2018, and if you’d like to help we’d love to hear from you!

Lego Treasure

Adverts; We’ve also raised some cash for good causes thanks entirely to your visits and clicks. The revenue generated by the small amount of advertising we allow here at The Lego Car Blog has been distributed to those in need, from right outside TLCB Towers to the other side of the world. From all of us here – thank you!

Social; The Lego Car Blog is now on Facebook! Search for us, click ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ us for new posts. All the cool people are doing it.

Wishing you a very happy New Year and a fruitful 2018!

TLCB Team

I’m a Firestarter*

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Lego Zenvo TS1

It seems like almost every week that a new supercar with a million horsepower and a VMAX of the Speed of Light is revealed in some sketchy form. Most of these (thankfully) come to nothing, but occasionally one such car does actually make it to production. This is that car.

Hand-built by some clever Danes, the Zenvo ST1, and then the later TS1 pictured here, fits every criteria for the ‘not gonna happen’ supercar going. 1,100bhp? Check. Carbon-Fibre bodywork? Check. 230mph+ top speed? Check. Only the Zenvo did get built, and continues to do so in upgraded TS1 form.

Only 15 ST1s and a similar number of TS1s are expected to be completed, and a few of those have met untimely firefly deaths, but nevertheless Zenvo have managed to build – almost completely in-house – one of the gnarliest and fastest road cars in existence. Except for when they catch fire.

This stunning Model Team recreation of the Zenvo TS1 comes from previous bloggee Alexander Pascholaletto and it captures the aggressive design of the real car brilliantly. It’s also a lot less likely to spontaneously combust. Head over to Flickr via the link above for all the shots.

Lego Zenvo TS1

*Today’s title song, if you’re feeling brave, can be found here.

42058 Technic Stunt Bike | Review

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LEGO 42058 Stunt Bike Review

Yes, it’s that Set Review you’ve all been waiting for; the 42058 Technic Stunt Bike! Ok, maybe not… But we have a copy, so we’re going to review it anyway, you lucky people!

Launched at the start of 2017 the Stunt Bike and its pull-back twin form the entry to the LEGO Technic line-up. Aimed at ages 7+ they’re colourful, cheap, and very playable.

The heart of 42058 and the part to which everything is attached is the pull-back motor, which powers the rear wheel via a set of gears. It works well enough and allows the bike to jump over the cardboard ramp that comes included in the set with ease, and thanks to the very un-motorcyle-like wheels it’ll stay upright nine times out of ten too (slightly less if you’re playing skittles with unsuspecting Elves).

Aside from the pull-back motor though, that’s your lot, as there are no other working functions at all. That might be OK if 42058 looked like a real motorcycle, but due to the need to stay upright when being propelled by the pull-back motor, that’s not possible.

This TLCB writer remembers when the Technic starter sets might have included a piston engine, steering, even suspension… but those days are long gone. It’s not LEGO’s fault of course, they’ll probably sell ten times more pull-back toys than a model with a fiddly and complicated-to-build piston engine, but this writer knows what he’d rather have…

Still, if you’re looking to start off in Technic building or you’re looking for a gift for a child ready to make the step up from City, Star Wars or Ninjago, you could do worse than the colourful and be-stickered 42058. You could also do a lot better.

42058 may include a ’40th Anniversary of Technic’ brick, but there are much better starter sets in those 40 years than this one. Head to eBay and take a look. 3/10

LEGO 42058 Stunt Bike Review

Rent-a-Ride*

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Lego Ford Mustang GT350

Back in the 1960s a rather special deal was done. Hertz, recognising the interest in Ford’s new muscle car, signed a deal with Ford, who provided the company with 1,000 specially-painted Mustang GT350s. The cars joined the rental fleet and immediately gave both companies marketing gold, allowing almost anyone to drive the hottest car in America for a day.

Lego Ford Mustang GT350

After the rental arrangement concluded the cars were refurbished (hopefully very throughly!) and sold on as the Mustang GT350-H. Some of these cars survive complete with their iconic black and gold liveries, and they look gloriously cool in today’s world of white and sliver.

This spectacular replica of one of the original 1,000 Hertz Mustangs comes from previous bloggee Pawel Kmiec (better known as Sariel) and it captures the famous livery beautifully.

Lego Ford Mustang GT350

Sariel’s GT350-H isn’t just beautiful on the outside either, as underneath the removable bodywork sits a fully remote controlled drivetrain, with twin Power Functions drive, remote steering, plus a working V8 piston engine and front and rear suspension.

There’s lots more of Pawel’s brilliant Ford Mustang GT350-H to see on Flickr at his photo album, you can read our interview with him as part of the ‘Become a Professional’ series by clicking here, and you watch the model in action via the excellent YouTube video below.

YouTube Video

*Something about your Mom.

Hot Sled

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Lego Santa Hot Rod

We’re back! After a few days getting drunk helping the less fortunate, TLCB Team are back in the crumbling ruin that is TLCB Towers. With the Elves re-released (and very hungry) we can expect them to return with finds soon, but in the meantime here’s one of your suggestions. Built by Andreas Lattanzio, Father Christmas is already back in the North Pole getting ready for next year in style, using a hot rodded sleigh to traverse the frozen polar landscape. There’s more to see of this neat mini-figure scale scene on Flickr – click the link above to make the jump.

It’s Christmaaas!

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Lego Santa Spaceship

The detritus from office Christmas party has been tidied away (although the regret still lingers), The Lego Car Blog Elves have been re-captured and returned to their cages, and we’re about to turn the lights out here at TLCB Towers.

Before we go here’s one final festive creation, revealing that Santa is moving with times to keep up with increasing Christmas demands. Rod Gillies has equipped Saint Nic with his own present-delivering spaceship, allowing the Reindeer to relax this festive season. There’s more to see of Santa’s hangar on the night before Christmas (complete with Elves that look nothing like ours) by clicking here, we wish you the very merriest of Christmases, and we’ll see you soon.

TLCB Team

Hauling Bricks

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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