Tag Archives: Dakar

The Last Dragon

2 Replies

We end the week with something rather special. Martin Vala has appeared here a few times with his incredible Dakar racers. This is apparently his final one, ‘The Last Dragon’, a phenomenal buggy concept deploying some of the finest Lego building techniques we have seen yet.

The spectacular exterior combines intricate Model Team and Technic, with butterfly doors opening to reveal an equally brilliant interior. The breathtaking detail continues to the brick-built V6 engine, accessible under a lifting engine cover, whilst underneath is a hybrid brick-built and functional Technic chassis and drivetrain, including working steering and suspension.

Martin has presented his build beautifully too, with fantastic lighting and editing making for some stunning imagery.

There’s loads more of Martin’s ‘Last Dragon’ to see at his Flickr album by clicking here, plus you can check out the other amazing Dakar racers that preceded it – both real-world and concept – along with the V6 engine in the middle of this one, at their individual Flickr albums via this link.

Sharknado

Leave a reply

Sharks are definitely not cut out for life on land. No-one told the makers of Sharknado though, who managed to extract such cinematic brilliance from the premise that a further five films have followed. If they keep going surely eventually one’s going to win an Oscar.

Anyway, enough on the tragic state of film-making – here’s another fictional land-based shark – but unlike the aforementioned cinematic disgraces, this one is most excellent.

Previous bloggee Martin Vala is the builder behind this ‘Shark’ Dakar concept, and fictional though it may be it looks so real we had to look it up to check it didn’t actually exist. Like a Sharknado Oscar though, it definitely doesn’t, which makes it all the more impressive that the design originated from the inside of Martin’s head.

There’s much more of the build to see at Martin’s ‘Shark T1+’ album on Flickr, and you can swim over via the link in the text above.

Mighty Mini

Leave a reply

This is the Mini JCW Dakar Buggy, and it has about as much in common with a Mini you can actually buy as a fish does with the international space station. But it is throughly awesome!

Powered by an I6 turbo-diesel, the RWD-only John Cooper Works buggy won the Dakar Rally in 2020 and 2021, and has been recreated in stunning detail by Flickr’s Martin Vala.

Removable bodywork, an internal space-frame, a complete brick-built drivetrain, and some superb photography and presentation make Martin’s build an excellent way to kick-off 2022.

Head to Martin’s ‘Mini JCW Buggy’ album via the link above for over forty stunning images.

I Feel the Need…

Leave a reply

The sad state of cinema at the moment means that the only films that currently get made are sequels, prequels, re-boots, or all three, as part of some ‘cinematic universe’ bollocks (we’re looking at you Marvel).

Cue next year’s ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ release, an unnecessary sequel arriving some three decades after the (magnificent) ’80s original. Still, at least it provides the opportunity for a repeat homo-erotic beach volleyball scene to an astoundingly suggestive soundtrack.

More interesting to TLCB than yet another movie reboot is this Maverick; the Can-Am Maverick RS, a wild off-road buggy built to take on the Dakar Rally.

Well, this one hasn’t been built to take on the Dakar Rally, being rather smaller. And constructed from Lego. But it is still more interesting.

Martin Vala is the builder behind it, and he’s recreated the Can-Am Maverick RS in wonderful detail, right down to the steering and suspension, which are brick-built from System pieces.

Authentic decals and stunning presentation complete the build, and there’s lots more to see of Martin’s Maverick at his ‘Maverick RS’ album on Flickr. Click the link above to feel the need for speed.

DUNE

Leave a reply

A new attempt at a ‘Dune’ movie arrived in cinemas this month, which – unlike past films baring the name – actually looks rather good. Cue today’s creation, which is entitled ‘Fresh Duner’, so we’re in no way using the aforementioned film to trick unwitting movie-goers to this crumbling corner of the internet.

The ‘Fresh Duner’ comes from Martin Vala, and it looks like a combination of a Dakar and Extreme E racers. Martin’s constructed it in Gulf colours too, which would be ironic if it raced in the latter formula, but nevertheless it looks fab here.

The brilliantly bodywork sits atop a wonderfully life-like chassis, with brick built steering and suspension components adding a dose more realism to Martin’s concept racer. A desert backdrop completes the build, and there’s more to see of Martin’s ‘Fresh Duner’ at his photostream via the link above.

DakaRC

1 Reply

Lego Mammoet Dakar Truck

It’s seems like only the other day that Brickshelf’s marthart appeared here at The Lego Car Blog with a huge remote control Technic creation. That’s because it was, but his second upload of the week is just as worthy of a posting here.

This is Mammoet Racing’s 2018 Renualt Dakar truck, yup – the same company that made this, and it’s brilliant. With remote control all-wheel-drive and steering, working suspension, a V8 engine, opening panels, and a tilting cab, marthart‘s Technic recreation of the two-stage-winning truck is packed with working functions and there’s much more to see at the Brickshelf gallery – Click the link above to take a closer look.

Slowly Smushing

Leave a reply

Lego Technic RC Dakar Truck

It’s been a while since the last episode of Elf-on-Elf violence (even Elven behaviour during this year’s FIFA World Cup even proved uneventful, unlike the last one), however today we’re back to earth with a bump, thanks to this (admittedly incredible) fully remote controlled Dakar rally truck by Lucio Switch.

Driven by four XL motors with a Servo for steering, plus live-axle suspension, pneumatically controlled differential locks powered by an on-board compressor, LED lights and SBrick bluetooth control, Lucio’s Dakar truck is an engineering masterpiece. All of that lot makes it supremely capable off-road, where it can slowly climb over almost anything. Elves included.

Lego Technic RC Dakar Truck

As is the way with heavy remote control Technic models Lucio’s truck is pretty slow, and certainly no match for a fleeing Elf. But if a trap of sticky-side-up parcel tape has been laid by one of the little scumbags, the truck’s slow speed (but massive weight) are – if anything – advantageous to a good smushing.

So cunning was this inventive new use for sticky tape that we almost respect the Elf that did it. Almost. Because not only did we have to collect some thoroughly smushed Elves, they had to be pulled off the parcel tape too, which was not appreciated by them one bit.

We’re now going to look into a more secure stationary storage solution whilst you can check out all of the superb images of Lucio’s amazing creation on Flickr, plus you can join the discussion and watch the truck in action via the Eurobricks forum.

Lego Technic RC Dakar Truck

Perfect 10

2 Replies

Lego Town Cars

Awarded a meal-token for every find, one of our Elves is about to get very fat. These ten brilliant Town-scale off-road vehicles are the work of just one builder. Pixel Fox owns the mind (and hands) behind them, and he’s done a simply stupendous job of recreating some of the world’s best known off-roaders in mini-figure scale, as well as building a delightful scene for each one to reside within.

Above, clockwise from top left, are a film-set Hummer H1, South African Volkswagen Syncro, beach-bound Jeep Wrangler TJ and a forestry Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406.

Lego Town Cars

Next are two of the world’s most prolific 4x4s, the iconic Land Cruiser J70 (left) complete with an adorable brick-built rhino, and the legendary Land Rover Defender 90 (right).

Lego Town Cars

The final set of instantly recognisable off-road vehicles is made up of a Mercedes G-Wagon, tragically pictured  on red-carpet duty, a superb Range Rover Series 1 going hunting, a lifted Jeep Cherokee XJ, and a Dakar-spec BMW X5.

Each creation is wonderful in its own right, and you can see more of all ten mini-figure builds at Pixel Fox’s Flickr album by clicking here, whilst we begin feeding a very deserving TLCB Elf!

MAN With a Mission

3 Replies

Lego Technic MAN TGS Dakar Truck

This mighty remote control MAN TGS Dakar Rally truck was found on Eurobricks today. It’s the work of Teo and it features twin Buggy Motor drive, Servo steering, live axle suspension front and rear, and working lights. Teo’s truck also looks the part with some beautifully accurate custom stickerage. There’s lots more to see at the Eurobricks forum – click here to take part.

Lego MAN Dakar Rally Truck

2in1

Leave a reply

Lego Dakar Truck

Much like shampoo & conditioner, some things are better when they’re two-in-one. And just like your Mom, Angka Utama’s tidy Dakar rally truck always has something inside it.

Secreted underneath the neat 4-wide truck bodywork is another Dakar racer, and the two vehicles fit together so beautifully you’d never know unless you saw the image below. You can see more of Angka’s truck, buggy, and the ingenious way they combine at both Flickr and MOCpages – click the links for double the action.

Lego Dakar Buggy Truck

Midnight Master

1 Reply

Lego Kamaz Master Dakar Truck

This immaculately detailed and beautifully photographed creation was discovered by one of our Elves on Flickr. It’s a Kamaz Master Dakar-spec rally truck in full Red Bull livery and it looks, as you can see here, rather special. Silva Vasil is making his TLCB debut with this build, and there’s lots more to see at his Flickr photostream – click the link above for more stunning imagery.

Lego Kamaz Dakar Rally Truck Red Bull

Town Truckin’

Leave a reply

Lego MAN Truck Dakar

These excellent Town-scale trucks were suggested to us by a reader. They come from Flickr’s Smigol, and they are wonderfully realistic. Above are a pair of MAN TGS Dakar race trucks, whilst below another MAN is joined by a Volvo FH, this time in logging specification. There’s more to see of all the details, including several posable working features, at the link above.

Lego MAN Volvo Town Trucks

Desert Cat

Leave a reply

Lego 5571 Black Cat Rally Truck

We’ve finally seen the new Star Wars – The Force Awakens movie, so here’s our token nod to the franchise. What? It’s got some Star Wars stickers down the side… Anyway, this splendid Model Team rally truck comes from Flickr’s bigcrown85, it’s based on the pieces from the huge 5571 Black Cat set of 1996, and there’s loads more to see – including images of the fully detailed interior, engine and cab – on Flickr at the link above.

Figure of Eight

Leave a reply

Lego Technic Tatra 8x8 Dakar

Newcomer Touchobut* makes his TLCB debut today with this massive Dakar-spec Tatra t-813 8×8, featuring all-wheel-suspension, remotely controlled all-wheel-drive, and four-wheel-steering. There’s more to see at the Eurobricks discussion forum, including a video of the truck in action, at the link above.

Lego Technic Tatra Truck

*This amused the Elves greatly, which has unfortunately led to a few personal space issues today. The office staff are being very wary at the moment…

Two Trucks

Leave a reply

Green Truck

Like magpies, the Elves are attracted to pretty, shiny things. This lovely little truck by South Korean builder bigcrown85 was an instant success with them. It features a neatly detailed body, with some novel parts usage such as the steps and the hammers to which the mirrors are attached. Fortunately the hammers are minifig scale. This allowed only slight damage to be inflicted in the ensuing Elf-fight over the green Smartie that the finder was rewarded with.

The truck’s wheels are very delicate and we suspect the application of a bit of “Kragle” to achieve this. However, we’re not too purist at TLCB* and so we’re happy to feature this neat build. Click this link to Flickr to see details of the chassis and the alternative van version.

We’ve previously featured bigcrown85’s superb Dakar Support Truck, when the Elves found it on MOCpages. You can now revisit it on Flickr and view its amazing detail in high resolution by clicking this link to bigcrown85’s Photostream.

Green Truck Not

*We can’t be, we work with the Elves.