Tag Archives: truck

Saving Fuel

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Streamlining is rather de-rigueur at present. In the world of electrification, eking every last mile of range – when recharging is a royal pain in the socket (sorry EVangelists, but it is) – is of the utmost importance.

Proving that fashion is always circular, some seventy years ago streamlining was also the height of vehicular design. The ‘jet age’ of 1950s saw super-smooth almost art-deco like shapes because… well, it was cool.

Cue Andrew Tate (no, not that one) and this gorgeous Octan fuel tanker streamliner, shown paused in the desert as the driver takes a break. 1950s aerodynamics were a bit ropey, so we’re not sure the designs of the time actually generated increased efficiency, but they looked so good.

There’s more to see of Andrew’s streamlined truck on Flickr, and you can make the jump to the cutting-edge aerodynamics of the ’50s via the link above.

Easter Egg Hunt

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We’re not sure how The Lego Car Blog Elves recreate (although we have ideas…), but recreate they must do, because despite the loses to dogs, seagulls, and one-another, we always seem to have around the same number. This means there is always a proportion of newer ones that are not yet office-trained, but that’s OK, they’re confined to their cage-room at night.

Except when someone [shoots daggers across the office at our intern], doesn’t lock their door. Thus now there are little Easter Eggs laid around the building, and we have to go on the most depressing of Easter Egg Hunts.

Luckily however, one of the older Elves discovered a creation that can help us, this spectacular – and utterly enormous – fully remote controlled Liebherr R964 tracked excavator.

Constructed by Master MOCer Dennis Bosman (aka legotrucks), this gargantuan creation is not only a perfect 1:17 visual replica of the 75 ton machine, it moves like the real thing too, with a suite of Control+ electronics hidden inside to recreate the movement of the tracks, superstructure, and the massive bucket-arm.

Of course being primarily a truck-builder, Dennis’s Liebherr R964C is transported on an equally brilliant Scania T143 truck and a huge low-loader trailer, each wearing the livery of the British transport firm H.C. Wilson.

It’s a monumental combination, measuring 175cm in length, and presented beautifully via nearly thirty stunning photos at Dennis’ ‘Liebherr R964C’ album on Flickr. Click on the link above to take a closer look at one of the most impressive vehicular creations you’ll see this year, whilst we use it to find, and dispose of, some Elven ‘Easter Eggs’…

Sweet Truck

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This delightful DAF FAS 2600 truck was found by one of our Elves today, and it comes complete with an equally satisfying drawbar trailer. The work of serial-bloggee Arian Janssens, this beautifully detailed classic combo was used to transport sugar beet, and there’s more to see of his confectionary carrying creation on Flickr. Click the link above for a taste, whilst we award the Elf that found it with an appropriately sweet treat.

Russian Winter

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It’s the day after the conclusion of the Russian Presidential Election, in which the highest voter turn-out in history awarded incumbent Vladimir Putin an amazing 204% of the vote, securing him a record-breaking fifth consecutive term in office.

But as bad as Russia is at elections, it’s as good at off-road trucks.

State-backed Kamaz – previously part-owned by Daimler (before the Ukrainian unpleasantness), and also part-owned by a close personal friend of the newly re-elected president – produce arguably the best off-road trucks in the world, and today’s is awesome even by Kamaz’s lofty standards.

Built by previous bloggee mpj, this spectacularly cool Kamaz 8×8 Arctic Truck is roughly mini-figure* scale replica of the real eight-wheel-drive, centre-articulated behemoth.

Featuring that 8×8 drive system and articulated steering, plus pendular suspension, a tipping bed, and a working folding crane, it’s a fantastic Technic creation, and you can check it out in full at the Eurobricks forum, where an image of the real Kamaz Arctic Truck can also be found.

Click the link above to jump into the Russian Winter, as the country celebrates another six years.

*Yes, the real truck is that big!

Do As The Romans Do

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Or, in this case, do as everyone else does. This a Roman SR 113/114 truck, built in Romania in the 1960s, using – as many Communist manufacturers did – designs licensed from Western companies.

Early Roman trucks were clones of Soviet ZIL designs, however by the late ’50s Roman looked west for their engineering sources. Launched in 1958 the SR 113/114 truck used a Ford-designed engine mounted ahead of a French cab, and was available in a tipper, crane, military specifications.

Mercedes-Benz and Perkins engines powered export versions, and the model was built for around a decade before being superseded by designs licensed from West Germany’s MAN.

This excellent recreation of the Roman SR113/114 is the work of newcomer Pufarine, who has captured the classic Romanian truck beautifully. Fitted with Power Functions remote control drive and steering, Pufarine’s model also features opening doors, a raising hood, and a dropping tailgate, and there’s more to see at both Flickr and Eurobricks.

Click the links above to do as the Romans did. Which, as it turns out, was whatever the Soviet Union, America, France, and West Germany were doing.

My Other Recycling Truck is a Recycling Truck

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The LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck is a thoroughly good addition to the 2024 line-up. Small, cheap(ish), and packed with proper mechanical functions, it’s a welcome return to the roots of Technic.

It’s a set that can also be used to create a properly good B-Model, as proven here by mpj of Brickshelf, who has recycled his Mack LR into this excellent cab-over tipper truck.

Complete with a mechanical crane behind the cab, working steering, and a tipping box, it’s as functional as the set upon which it’s based, and there’s more to see at mpj’s ‘42167 B-Model’ album via the link above.

Even More Mogin’

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There are almost as many variants of Mercedes-Benz’s Unimog as there are tasks for them to do. Which is probably the point. Endlessly adaptable, the Unimog is also the perfect choice for Technic builders, as proven by Flickr’s Thirdwigg, who’s back here with another fully-functioning brick-built replica of the heavy-duty tractor.

This one is a U530, complete with a three-way* tipping bed, working steering, a piston engine, under the tilting cab, pendular suspension, plus front, centre and rear selectable PTOs.

There’s a rear pneumatic outlet too, which mean’s Thirdwigg’s model can be fitted with nearly as many pieces of additional equipment as the real thing, with a folding crane, trailer, and snow-plow some of those included in his extensive Flickr gallery.

Building instructions are available (and they’re free!), with much more to see at Thirdwigg’s ‘Unimog U530′ album. Click the link above for even more mogin’.

*Snigger

Bubbly Chocolate

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Volvo’s newly announced FH Aero truck has got this TLCB Writer thinking about bubbly chocolate. Because he’s very distractible. And he likes Aeros. But do the bubbles mean there’s less actual chocolate?

Whatever, back on task, this splendid brick-built replica of the new Volvo FH Aero 62 comes from Stefan Eeckman, who had some insider knowledge in order to create his model so swiftly after the actual truck’s reveal.

A tilting cab, Powered-Up remote control drive and steering, and some really very tricksy building techniques are available to view on both Flickr and Eurobricks, and you can take a look via the links above whilst this Writer hunts down some bubbly chocolate.

Big Tip

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Discovered by one of our Elves on Eurobricks, this fantastic model is an Iveco T-Way, a heavy-duty 8×4 truck outfitted – in this case – as a huge tipper.

Built by previous bloggee mpj, the truck includes remote control drive on the rear two axles, steering on the front two, all-axle suspension, and – of course – a massive tipping body driven by a motorised linear actuator.

LEGO’s Powered-Up components allow the truck to be operated via bluetooth, and you can see more (and find a link to building instructions) at the Eurobricks forum. Click the link above for a big tip.

Respect Your Elders

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The creations we publicise here at The Lego Car Blog are the most current, freshest, and up-to-the-minute available. And sometimes they’re even newer than that. Mostly because we want to show you the latest builds from around the world, and partly because we like beating The Brothers Brick.

Except all the above is technically, um… not true. Apart from the beating The Brothers Brick bit of course. That’s because it’s usually but not necessarily the creation that is new, rather the imagery, and today we have possibly the best example of this; Dennis Bosman’s incredible Scania LS111 truck, Nooteboom low loader trailer, and Menck M154 crawler crane, each of which was built twenty years ago.

Utilising LEGO’s old 9V motor system (pre-Power Functions or Controlled-Up), classic System and Technic pieces, and – at the time – photographed outside, Dennis’ astonishing three-in-one creation set the benchmark for large scale Lego modelling.

An inspiration for countless Lego creators today, Dennis’ early work still represents astonishing brick-built realism, and he has recently re-photographed the Scania, Nooteboom and Menck in-studio two decades after they were first constructed.

Wearing their original decals, and with faded parts swapped for fresher replacements, Dennis’ models remain spectacular, and there are more newly-released images to see, alongside those taken twenty years ago, at his ‘Scania LS111’ album on Flickr.

Click the link above to take a closer look, and you can see more of Dennis’ amazing works via his Master MOcers interview page here at The Lego Car Blog, itself now ten years old.

Forest Fire

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Following Master MOCer Thirdwigg’s recent appearance here with his superb Mercedes-Benz Unimog U4000, he recently uploaded a few other variants, which is fitting as the Unimog is available in a bewildering choice of applications, each of which can be equipped with an even wider array of attachments, tools and machinery.

This one is a U5000 off-road fire truck, constructed via an excellent combination of Model Team and Technic techniques, and features a tilting cab, piston engine, working steering and suspension, and a fully equipped four door cabin with fire-fighting equipment behind.

Building instructions are available and there’s much more to see at Thirdwigg’s photostream, plus you can find out how he builds his amazing models such as this one at his Master MOCers page via the link above.

Mechanimog

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We love the Mercedes-Benz Unimog here at The Lego Car Blog. Designed as a multi-purpose tractor for both civilian industry and the military, the Unimog is simple, highly adaptable, and incredibly capable off-road. Which means it’s only a matter of time before AMG create a black-on-black luxury version for the terminally-insecure to enhance their Instagram clout.

Until then though, we’ll continue to enjoy the Unimog as the workhorse it’s meant to be, with this example being a most-workhorsey U4000 tipper.

Constructed by our latest Master MOCer Thirdwigg, this excellent Technic U4000 is a fully mechanical miniaturisation of the Mercedes-Benz multi-purpose tractor, and includes a working piston engine under the tilting cab, a multi-way tipper that cleverly raises via spinning the fuel tanks, a high/low gearbox, functional suspension, steering, front and rear winches, plus opening doors and hood.

It’s all beautifully engineered and there’s lots more of it to see on Flickr, where a link to building instructions can also be found, plus you can find more variants of this U4000 at Thirdwigg’s Bricksafe page, where – as per any good Unimog – the model can be adapted to suit a number of jobs, including pulling a trailer, being outfitted as a camper, and even equipped as a fire truck.

Take a look via the links above, plus you can find out how Thirdwigg creates his models such as this one via his Master MOCers page, which is available alongside the other talented builders that have proceeded him by clicking here.

Take Me Home, Country Roads

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We’re back! With the alcohol in our blood gradually being displaced by hazy memories and regret, The Lego Car Blog Elves – imprisoned over the holidays – have been released, and are keen to recommence their hunt for the best Lego vehicles on the ‘net. By which we mean, they’re keen to earn something to eat.

One of their number was super quick off the mark, already returning to TLCB Towers with this gorgeous vintage truck diorama entitled ‘Country Roads, 1933’ by Flickr’s Nicholas Goodman. With beautiful presentation and photography matching the superb construction techniques, it’s an excellent first blog-worthy creation, and you can take the country roads home via the link above, whilst we award an Elf a well-deserved meal.

*Today’s title song.

Super 8

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The Lego Car Blog Elves are winding down for Christmas. They don’t need to of course – they’re Elves, basically designed to work during the festive period. And they don’t have rights.

However, we (TLCB Team) do shut up shop for the holidays, and thus we set the cat-flap to operate in-only, so as they return to TLCB Towers in the run up to Christmas they can’t get back out again.

Which means there are rather a lot of them in the office right now. This is a) very annoying, and b) means that if one of their number returns with a remote controlled creation, there is going to be considerable Elven carnage.

And so it proved today, as this mighty Tatra 813 8×8 Kolos thundered into the cage room where a number of Elves had gathered to watch terrible Hallmark Christmas movies, and were promptly squashed where they sat. Still, that’ll learn them for making poor cinematic choices.

Samuel Nerpas is the owner of the machine responsible, which is packed with multiple motors, eight-wheel-drive, twin-axle-steering, and incredible suspension, and there’s more of this amazing model to see at his photostream.

Take a look via the link above, whilst we tidy up the mess and get ready to turn the lights out…

Route 66

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The war in Ukraine drags on, as tiny-penised Putin continues his folly to return the region back to the days of the Soviet Union.

Those days, marked with oppression, fear, and the eradication of freedom of movement, religion and speech, also included some fine engineering. Most of this was of course of the nuclear-weapon or space-race type, but the Soviet Union created some excellent off-road vehicles too. This is one of them, the GAZ-66.

Produced from the mid-’60s until ’99 – and still in use today in a variety of despotic authoritarian regimes including North Korea, Iran, and Syria – the GAZ-66 was a 4×4 military truck available in a bewildering array of configurations.

This one is a ‘K66V’, fitted with a box body behind the cab. Built by Samuel Nerpas (aka Tatrovak), this brilliantly engineered Technic version is remotely controlled via a BuWizz bluetooth battery powering four drive motors, servo steering, and two sets of LED lights.

Planetary hubs, all-wheel-suspension, and all-wheel-drive ensure Samuel’s GAZ-66 is suitably capable off-road, and the model also includes a tilting cab, opening doors, and a removable superstructure.

There’s more to see at both the Eurobricks forum and via Samuel’s Flickr photostream, where you can find all the imagery, build details, and videos of the model in action.