If you’re a TLCB Elf, the Hummer is cool. Particularly if it’s in yellow, as a nearby one was when this TLCB Writer was growing up. However, to anyone not an Elf/Texan NRA member, the civilian Hummer is one of the most abysmal, uncool, and depressing turds ever to emit from General Motors’ soil pipe. Which, don’t forget, also produced this. And this.
However today’s Hummer is rather cool, and not just because of the setting. TFDesigns (aka Frost)‘s ‘Arctic Thunder Armoured Limo’ has been constructed for the Decisive Action contest on Flickr (as several of the models in our recent posts have been), for dignitaries to cross the frozen continent of Aptenodytes, wherever that is.
The H2-based limousine features working suspension, brick-separator front skis, opening hood and doors, and an in-built missile launcher, whilst the accompanying snowmobiles that make up the motorcade are jet-propelled, for reasons none other than jets are cool.
There’s much more to see of Frost’s Hummer H2 ‘Arctic Thunder Armoured Limo’ motorcade on Flickr – click the link above to make the jump and take a look, just avoid the missiles…
This is a Fritz Riemerschmid Gleiskettenkrad (which we can assure you that we pronounced flawlessly in TLCB Office so you can too as you’re reading this), a 1930s BMW R12-based tracked motorcycle that was designed to drive on snow. In straight lines only presumably.
Built by previous bloggee Nikolaus Lowe, who seems to have a penchant for odd vintage machinery, this marvellous Model Team recreation includes a sidecar, a working two-cylinder engine with functioning gearbox, and something purporting to be steering.
There’s much more to see at Nikolaus’ ‘Fritz Riemerschmid Gleiskettenkrad’ album – click the link above to head over. In a straight line.
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.
This is the ID-Performance Ski Mobile concept, and it’s been created in Lego form with stunning accuracy by Flickr’s Arran Hearn aka Delta Triangle. Designed by virtual rendering wizard Yutaka Igarashi, the Ski Mobile looks like a gloriously impractical way to cross the snow. See more of both Arran’s Lego version and the rendered original via the link above.
It’s getting all wintery here at TLCB Towers. This means a) we barely see any daylight, b) our Elves often need defrosting when they return to the office (but that’s OK, they’re elves), and c) we’ll try to direct a bit more of the advertising revenue that your visits generate to those without a roof over their heads this Christmas (so please keep visiting – no pressure!).
It also means that we’d like to go out and buy something really silly like a snowmobile for the four days a year that it snows here. Luckily Eurobricks’ Kevin Moo has just the creation to scratch that itch, with his brilliant fully remote controlled Technic Ski-Doo.
Powered by two L Motors, with Servo steering, and with both front and rear suspension, Kevin’s snowmobile is pretty capable in powder, and it can be controlled via a Bluetooth device thanks to a third-party SBrick receiver too. There’s more of Kevin’s build to see at the Eurobricks discussion forum – click the link above to make the trip.
He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice, he’s got a hot rod for crossing the ice, Santa Claus is coming to town!
When Santa isn’t commanding his magic sleigh he’s still got to get around, and – looking as he does like the missing member of ZZ Top – we think he’s probably got a pretty cool ride.
Previous bloggee sm 01 thinks so too, and he’s built Mr. Claus the perfect vehicle for a rockin’ journey across the frozen wastes of the North Pole. You can see more of Santa’s Hot Rod on Flickr at the link above.
It’s that time of year again, when several lucky Elves ‘volunteer’ to get thrown over the perimeter fence of The LEGO Group’s development HQ. Weeks have passed since the office sling-shot fired the Elvish task-force into the Danish darkness, but today the final Elf returned and thus we now have the complete Technic line-up for the first half of 2014! Some of the stolen images have watermarks on, but hey – we’re not picky.
42025 – Lego Technic Cargo Plane
The main picture of this article is the main Technic set of 2014, and it marks a return to air-based Technic not seen for some time. The ‘feature’ model for the start of the year, LEGO’s new Cargo Plane features some rare Technic colours and a whole host of Power Functions and mechanical goodies, including; turning propellors, opening nose-cone, lowering ramp and adjustable flaps. Targeted at the upper end of the Technic age-range 42025 is aimed at builders aged 10+ and will likely sit at the top of 2014’s prices.
42021 – Lego Technic Snowmobile, 42022 – Lego Technic Hot Rod
Next up are the two mid-range vehicles in the 2014 LEGO Technic line-up; 42021 and 42022, a snowmobile and hot rod respectively. Each is aimed at a slightly younger audience than 42025, but they still include a variety of proper Technic mechanical functions, including steering, suspension and piston engines. Each also continues LEGO’s expansion into brighter colours and decals, making them very visually appealing sets. Like all of the 2014 Technic range, instructions are provided for two possible models and these will also be available digitally via Lego.com.
Our third volunteering Elf snaffled two new starter Technic sets aimed at the 7+ age group; 42026 and 42027. As with all starter models their simpler build does mean less functionality than the larger Technic sets, but the LEGO Group does enhance the play value with pull-back motors. The Elves, being optimistically at the mental capacity of a 7 year old, love these, and we suspect they’ll be the biggest sellers in the range next year. Bold colour choices abound in 2014 with more lime green and a dash of bright orange – we’re sure that we’ll see these re-surface on a few muscle car MOCs throughout the year.
42020 – Lego Technic Double Rotor Helicopter
Probably our least favourite of the 2014 LEGO Technic sets is this transport helicopter, but the range has to start somewhere. The rotors spin in unison and it features some useful looking rotor blades, but not much else. It will be cheap though.
The final two new Technic sets in LEGO’s 2014 range get back to the heart of the brand; big chunky construction equipment with loads of mechanical features. It’s safe to say we’re delighted with these two sets.
On the left is 42023, the Construction Team, and the first multi-model set we’ve seen in years. Featuring a tracked excavator, front-loader and a dump truck it looks like a great way to expand a Technic collection with some excellent mechanical models. Aimed at ages 8+ the three models are quite simple, but they’re also full of play potential. Bravo LEGO.
And finally, the last model in LEGO’s 2014 Technic range is 42024, container truck (or ‘skip lorry’ as we’d call it here in the UK). Aimed at the 10+ age group it features some strong mechanical features including working steering, a lifting container arm and extending support legs. It’s also – despite the modern studless construction – rather retro looking in a classic red-yellow-blue combo, and we like that.
Overall it’s a pretty strong line-up for 2014, and there will be further additions, including a new flagship, for the second half of the year. As always we may review some of these sets throughout the year, and if you’d like to read The Lego Car Blog’s expert reviews on official LEGO sets from previous years, check out the Reviews page here.
Over to Eurobricks now, where TLCB favourite Piterx has built a most excellent winter toy. Fully remote control by way of LEGO’s Power Functions system, Piterx’s snowmobile is as capable on the white stuff as the real thing. There’s a video of it in action on YouTube, and you can join the discussion on Eurobricks here.
Summer has finally arrived here at The Lego Car Blog Towers; the sun is shining, birds are singing, ice-cream vans are on patrol, and girls you previously wouldn’t have noticed now require a double-take. But we’re a global blog, and we know many of you are in the depths of winter, or that even in summer you live in amongst the white stuff (snow, not cocaine). As such here’s a vehicle for all of you feeling the icy hand of Jack Frost, Karwik‘s superb ‘NKL-26’ Ice Runner. See more on Flickr at the link.
