We’re pretty sure that the Crazy Frog ranks amongst mankind’s greatest evils ever unleashed upon society. Despite the fact that this creation reminded us of that hated amphibian it is rather good and thus deserves its place here. Karf Oohlu is the builder and you can see more on Flickr.
Much of what we feature here at The Lego Car Blog is the work of AFOLs (Adult Fans Of Lego). This usually means an impeccably photographed, spotlessly clean and brilliant creation, which will forever be placed within a glass cabinet away from light, air, and fingers.
But that’s not what Lego is about. Lego is designed for kids, it’s tough, and it likes to get dirty. Above all else, Lego is for playing with.
Thankfully some AFOLs do retain the childish desire to drive a Lego creation through a big pile of mud, something we whole heartedly approve of here in TLCB office. Truck Trial is their chosen means, and it involves building a remote control replica truck to drive as fast and far as possible through an obstacle course before crashing or breaking something. And that sounds awesome to us!
This trial truck was discovered on the Lego picture-sharing site Brickshelf. It’s a Tatra 6×6 by Atrx, powered by two Power Functions XL motors and controlled via a Mindstorms NXT brain. And it’s delightfully dirty!
You can see all the photos via the link, including chassis engineering shots and more of the Tatra in action at the muddy LUGpol Truck Trial event shown in our featured image above.
As long-term readers will know, over the past two years we’ve been running the Master MOCers Series, in which we’ve interviewed the very best Lego vehicle builders anywhere in the world. In fact, if you were trying to score highly in Google’s page rankings you could say something like they’re the Top 10 Lego Car Builders Ever! Fact*.
With our final Master MOCer inducted into the Hall of Fame last month we now need a new series to fill the (rather large) shoes vacated by our Master MOCers.
So starting soon – and working in partnership with a popular Flickr-based Lego vehicle group – we’ll be bringing you a multi-part series showcasing the all-time Top 5 builds in a variety of Lego categories.
We’ll reveal more details in due course, in the meantime – and to neatly Segway towards the exciting new series – remind yourself of the Top 10 Lego Car Builders (fact*) by clicking on the link below.
(*This may not actually be a definite fact)
It’s sunny here at TLCB Towers and that makes both us and the Elves a bit dozy. Luckily Chris Elliott, one of our Guest Bloggers, joins us to pen today’s post;
Channeling his inner European luxury car designer, Tobias Munzert brings us this gorgeous remote-controlled concept car in stunning red with wide silver rims à la Ferrari. Utilizing both System and Technic parts this model is creatively constructed and wonderful to look at from all angles. You can check out more pictures of this beauty (in addition to more of Mr. Munzert’s work) on his Flickr photostream here, or via his MOCpages account.
This wonderful American classic was found on Flickr today. Infraredbrick‘s beautiful 1967 Chevy Nova features a detailed engine and interior, plus opening doors, hood and trunk. See more at the link.
LEGO’s classic 8852 Technic Robot set is not one of the company’s finest efforts. It looked a bit rubbish in either mode and its only saving grace was that everything operated mechanically using racks and gears.
As 8852 is one of our least favourite Technic sets ever it meant that Barman76‘s redux version was not due to feature here, however charming it may be. Unfortunately for us the Elves made such a fuss – as to them it’s a Transformer, one of their favourite things ever – that it was easier for all of us just to blog it. So here it is. If you agree with the Elves you can see more on Flickr via the link above.
We love everything that Flickr’s Karwik builds, and this beautiful Škoda 706 RTTN with Orličan N7CH refrigerated trailer is no different.
Despite our seeming boundless automotive knowledge (yeah right!) we weren’t actually aware that Skoda ever built articulated truck tractors. Apparently they produced such trucks until the early noughties, at which point they were probably competing with parent company Volkswagen’s own MAN truck brand a little too closely, and production was quietly ended.
Karwik’s Lego version of the classic Skoda 706 features some of the best SNOT (Studs Not On Top) techniques we’ve ever seen; our highlights include the genius truck grill and wonderful trailer lettering. In fact the whole trailer – which is built completely SNOT – is a work of Lego art. See how Karwik has done it on Flickr via the link above.
A while ago we received a request from a little girl and her father, one that we’re only too happy to fulfil this Father’s Day! Over to them to explain their ambition…
In honour of Father’s Day, we would like to introduce you to the Dynanic Duo, Sam & his daughter Tziona. A lifelong Batman fan, Sam has made sure that Tziona’s education includes plenty of time for superheros, especially her favourite, Robin. Tziona can name all the different characters that have held the Robin mantle and the characters they become, and the pair went to New York Comic-Con 2012 dressed as Batman and Robin in custom costumes. Superdad Sam went above and beyond to fulfil his daughter’s latest request when he constructed a Batmobile that allows Batman and Robin to ride together, something LEGO has yet to produce. The build was modelled after the iconic 1966 Batmobile designed by George Barris, which featured in the television program starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin.
The entire project took about a month to complete. Tracking down the right pieces was the hardest part; digging through hundreds of pounds LEGO and waiting for parts to arrive in the mail took up most of the time. After completion Sam submitted the build to LEGO Ideas (formally Lego Cuusoo.) The 50th Anniversary Batmobile has been consistently in the Ideas Top Ten and has over 3,000 supporters to date; once it reaches 10K LEGO will consider producing the model as an official set!
Help us make this Father’s Day special for this Dynamic Duo and vote for the 1966 50th Anniversary LEGO Batmobile here!
Today’s final creation comes from Flickr’s Billyburg, who has travelled back to the mid ’80s and returned with this marvellous Classic Space 6×6 transport truck. Just look how happy the classic spaceman driving is with his new wheels! But then again, they always are…
Following much Elf grumbling due to today’s earlier digital creation, we’ve decided to treat them to a movie afternoon. See, we are nice occasionally! Plus they’ve found some good creations today. The first of their finds is this, probably the most famous (and loved) movie car ever, ‘Herbie’, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a personality.
Star of the 1968 movie ‘The Love Bug’, in which a struggling race driver is given a helping hand by the conscious Volkswagen, Herbie went on to star in many sequels, including the recent atrocity featuring a pre-breakdown Lindsay Lohan.
TLCB favourite Ralph Savelsberg aka Mad Physicist is the builder of this brilliant Miniland scale version of Volkswagen’s most popular car, and you can see more his Lego Herbie by clicking the link above. We also highly recommend a watch of The Love Bug for those that haven’t seen it. Judging by the elated noises coming from around the TV in the Elves’ cage room, they agree too…
Our second LDD creation in as many weeks! What’s going on? The Elves are pretty grumpy about this as they don’t like digital creations as a rule. Plus this isn’t even a car, so they’re doubly annoyed.
This amazing digitally rendered creation is in fact a 1941 De Havilland Mosquito fast bomber, one of the most important aircraft for the Allies throughout World War Two. Built almost entirely from wood, the Mosquito was one of the fastest aircraft in the world at the time. Not just fast for a bomber, but faster than many fighters too. Digital Lego specialist Peter Blackert (aka Lego911) is the builder, and he’s got a rapidly growing portfolio of famous aircraft on Flickr. You can see more of the Mosquito and his other planes via his excellent photostream.
And if you’re of an Elvish persuasion, don’t worry – we’ve got a busy day that’s back to normal cars (mostly) after this post!
We haven’t watched the new Godzilla movie, due to an unfortunate incident with the Elves at our local cinema prohibiting our patronage, but this vehicular version makes us a feel a bit better. Nissan’s R34 Skyline is getting on a bit now, but the passage of time hasn’t diminished the Godzilla legend. Senator Chinchilla helps to keep the story going with this instantly recognisable Model Team recreation. See more at the link.
LEGO’s 10242 Mini Cooper has already started to inspire builders to produce Mini MOCs. This example is from Miro Dudas, over on Flickr. It features a very neat solution to finding small parts suitable for the Mini’s distinctive headlights.
Film buffs that they are, the Elves were confused by LEGO’s Creator set including a nice picnic instead of a sewer and an Italian police car. Unfortunately they’ve now managed to jam Miro’s MOC down a small plastic pipe and we’re not sure how we’ll get it out to return it to him. “Hang on a minute lads, I’ve got a great idea… “
We hand over TLCB keyboard to a Guest Blogger today; Chris Elliott has appeared here with a few of his own excellent Lego vehicles. Today he sits on the other side of the desk to do some blogging of his own…
Today we have two small European gems – one which is a gem for its beautiful styling and grace, the other which is a gem for its lack thereof.
Starting in England first, we have this lovely three-wheeled classic: the Reliant Robin. Perhaps one of the most unfortunate cars ever made, this charming little dud has garnered a great following among cultists for its unusual construction, specifically its singular front wheel, made most infamous by a particularly hilarious episode of the UK show ‘Top Gear.’
Moving south to Italy, we have this beautiful Fiat 500, remarkable not only for its level of detail, but for the small size at which those details are achieved. The 500 is a reincarnation of what is perhaps Italy’s most prolific car, the vintage Fiat 500. Today, its revival has a worldwide following for its stylish looks and fun performance.
Both of these wonderful vehicles were created by 1saac W. on Flickr, and you can show your love for them there via the links.
Many thanks to Chris for joining us today. If you think you might like to get involved in writing for TLCB then you can get in touch with us in usual ways.
