My Other Car’s a Camaro

Leave a reply

Bored of your handlebar moustache, wearing leather jackets, and chewing a toothpick in an alley? Then it’s time to cease your Camaro ownership and switch to something far smaller, much lighter, and altogether more classy. Yes this superb Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 by TLCB Master MOCer Firas Abu-Jaber has been constructed only from the pieces found within the official LEGO Icons 10304 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, yet appears completely unconstrained by the set parts source.

Like the set that donated its parts, Firas’ Golf GTI alternate includes working steering, opening doors, hood, and trunk, plus a detailed interior and engine, and you can take a closer look via Firas’ photostream by clicking these words. Or you can keep growing that moustache.

50cc of Fun

Leave a reply

We often feature vehicles with ginormous engines here at TLCB. Because we’re six. But there is much joy to be had at the other end of the vehicular scale, and nowhere is that more evident than the humble moped. Cheap, slow, and hilarious fun, 50cc is all you need for a good time.

This example is a Polish Romet Pony, produced from 1978 until 1994, with a top speed of just 40km/h, and with an engine smaller than most food blenders. And we love it.

Flickr’s Fuku Saku is the builder, and there’s more to see of this wonderful machine at his ‘Romet Pony M2’ album. Click the link to go for a ride.

Training Day

Leave a reply

We all wonder if we’re on the right track from time to time. But perhaps if we put the brakes on a little and slow down, the journey might become more important than the destination.

Even Lego building can be part of this societal boiler room. An endless train of perfectly constructed and beautifully presented creations rolls past our feeds, a procession in which The Lego Car Blog is of course part. The pressure to create something that gets clicks, likes, and positive critique is all too real, and the destination – that perfect Instagramable shot – can often eclipse the enjoyment to be had in creating it.

Railing against this orthodoxy, Linus Bohman has decided to switch it up. Whilst playing with his daughter and bucket of Duplo, he noticed her railway track pieces; large, curved, and seemingly designed for a single purpose. But what journey could they provide if they were used… differently?

With no destination in mind, Linus started working with his daughter’s Duplo tracks, seeing where they would take him. And where they took him was to one of the most original and inventive creations we’ve yet publicised.

LEGO’s vintage blue and grey railway tracks joined their larger Duplo brethren, creating a swooping almost organic neo-classic spacecraft unlike anything we’ve seen before. A single mini-figure pilot drives the ship from a cockpit hung within the centre, whilst a robot co-pilot hides under the opening cover behind.

We think you’ll agree that Linus’ reached a spectacular destination, but we suspect the journey was – for him – better still. If you share his train of thought you can see more of the ship that emerged from it by clicking here, and you can watch a fantastic philosophical brick-based video on its creation by clicking play below.

YouTube Video

Super Skyline

Leave a reply

It’s the early-’80s, and everything is ‘turbocharged’; sunglasses, baseball caps, pens… plus, in rare cases, cars. This is one of them, the nuts Nissan Skyline KDR30 ‘Super Silhouette’.

First racing in 1982, the KDR30 was built on a tubular steel space-frame, with sort-of-Skyline sedan bodywork placed over the top, hence the moniker.

A 2.1 litre straight-4 engine was mounted upfront, attached to the mother and father of all turbos. The result was nearly 600 flame-splitting horses, powering the KDR30 to multiple race wins in Group 5 from 1982 to 1984. And many a Grand Turismo racer – as that’s how most readers will know this car – into the digital armco.

This spectacular brick-built replica of the Skyline KDR30 ‘Super Silhouette’ is the work of TLCB Master MOCer Nico71, who has recreated the formidable 1982 racer in astonishing detail.

Underneath the wonderfully accurate body – which wears the real car’s racing livery – is a fully remote controlled drivetrain, courtesy of a third-party BuWizz bluetooth battery, an L Motor powering the rear wheels, and a Servo the steering.

A detailed working replica of the 4-cylinder engine, and the massive turbo that accompanied it, can be found up front, with it – as well as the trunk and hood – easily removable.

3D-printed wheels complete the incredible realism, and the car is available to build in both remote control and manual configurations via Nico’s excellent building instructions, which he’s released alongside full details and imagery.

You can find them and the complete specifications at Nico’s website, the full gallery on Brickshelf, and you can watch both the model and the real car in action (the real one spits considerably more flame) via the video below.

YouTube Video

Ginormous Interplanetary Spaceship

Leave a reply

After bemoaning that most Lego sci-fi builds are ginormous interplanetary spaceships designed for various important space-based assignments, here’s a ginormous interplanetary spaceship designed for an important space-based assignment.

This is an ‘Acclamator-Class Assault Ship’ from ‘Star Wars – Episode II; Attack of the Clones’, and it has been built (and presented) absolutely beautifully by TLCB newcomer FlyInSpace from over 5,100 pieces.

Weighing 3.2kg and 72cm in length, Fly’s brick-built behemoth features detachable landing gear, opening hangar doors, and deployable boarding ramps, and is constructed entirely ‘studs-not-on-top’ to accurately portray the immensely complex geometric shape of the ‘real’ thing, with incredible results.

If you fancy creating a 1:1000 scale ‘Acclamator’ for yourself, building instructions are available and you can find them, plus all of the stunning imagery, at FlyInSpace’s UCCS Acclamator album. Click the link above  to get Acclimated.

Future Containment

1 Reply

Most Lego sci-fi builds are ginormous interplanetary spaceships designed for various important space-based assignments.

Which is all very well, but we suspect that – even when we’ve colonised other planets – 99% of both persons and vehicles will still be driving about on a paved surface. After all, mankind has been flying for a hundred years, but only a tiny fraction of us are in the air.

Thus it’s rather refreshing to see a sci-fi builder turn their hand to what will inevitably be the vast majority of future transport; the stuff that looks pretty much the same as it does now.

Cue Flickr’s Shuppiluliumas, here making their TLCB debut, and these two ace sci-fi trucks. Both are packed with details such as tilting cabs, posable steering, and brick-built drivetrains, and each design features just enough futurism to transport the viewer to a time ahead of our own. Plus one of them’s transporting a giant positron cannon, which helps.

There’s more of each truck to see at Shuppiluliumas’ photostream, and you can jump to future normality via the link above.

Hondari

Leave a reply

Inspired or sacrilege? Mike “Stanceworks” Burroughs’ Honda-powered Ferrari 308 is definitely not for the purist, but we’re firmly in the former camp, and think it’s spectacular.

Cue Stephan Jonsson’s fantastic 8-wide Speed Champions homage to Mike’s real-world build, complete with 3D-printed wheels and one of the most impressive brick-built liveries we’ve ever seen (see LEGO, you don’t need a hundred stickers).

There’s lots more of Stephan’s Ferrari ‘244 GTK’ to see on Flickr, and you can check out the real car that inspired it here.

Green Shells in the Garden

Leave a reply

The kiddie-based cuteness continues here at the Lego Car Blog. Recreating what their kids imagine when they’re riding on their toys outside, Cecilie Fritzvold‘s ‘Baby Mario Kart’ captures all the madness of Nintendo’s finest work, complete with shells, banana skins, item boxes, Lakitu’s cloud, and some very hungry plants. And with LEGO releasing their own officially-licensed Mario line, perhaps an official LEGO Mario Kart set is just a rainbow road away.

I’m Up in Space, Maaaaan!

Leave a reply

Finding time to build (or do anything) when you’re a new parent is tricky. Three years since he last uploaded a creation, Flickr’s Dvd has finally managed it, with the ‘help’ of his son, and in doing so allowed us to link to the greatest performance in Eurovision history. We might be biased. Anyway, TLCB’s blatant nationalism aside, even when it feels like trying you’re to reach the for moon, you can always build a rocket.

My Other Le Mans Car’s a Peugeot

Leave a reply

The Technic 42156 Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar is a slightly weird, but nevertheless welcome, addition to LEGO’s officially-licensed line-up. First competing in 2022, before a full World Endurance Championship assault in 2023, the 9X8 has been… underwhelming.

A single podium all season and an 8th place at Peugeot’s home event of the 24 Heures de Mans is the best the car has achieved so far, but PeugeotSport are past race winners, so the results may come yet.

Until then though, if you own a 42156 Peugeot 9X8 and fancy swapping it for an endurance racer that’s more… winning, davidragon of Eurobricks has the answer!

Making his TLCB debut, davidragon has used the pieces from the 42156 Peugeot 9X8 to recreate a car from the other end of the World Endurance Classification, but one with rather more success.

The Chevrolet Corvette C8.R is the first mid-engined Corvette racing car, and placed second in the GTE-Pro class at Le Mans in 2021, before winning GTE-Am in 2023, finishing one place ahead of the second Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar that competed some three classes above it. Oof.

Davidragon’s incredible C8.R alternate features opening doors and hood, independent suspension, working steering, and a mid-mounted piston engine, and there’s lots more to see, including a link to building instructions, at the Eurobricks forum.

Click the link above to swap your Peugeot 9X8 for a Corvette C8.R, and improve your chances of winning some silverware.

…Otherwise We Get Angry!

1 Reply

Or ‘…Altrimenti Ci Arrabbiamo!’ in its original Italian, is a 1974 movie – unwatched by TLCB we must confess – starring the two least Italian-sounding actors we’ve ever heard of.

Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, who were actually Italian as it turns out, compete in the film for a Puma Dune Buggy via beer and sausages. Or something like that. Our Italian’s not great.

And despite the Puma looking and sounding as un-Italian as its co-stars, it too was a product of Italy, built on the platform of the Volkswagen Beetle much like the more famous American alternatives.

This excellent Speed Champions example comes from previous bloggee Versteinert, who has captured it (and Terence and Bud in mini-figure form) brilliantly. There’s more to see at Vertsteinert’s ‘Puma Dune Buggy’ Flickr album, and you can win a dune buggy by eating Italian sausage (probably) via the link in the text above.

Find My Car in Lego | G to L

Leave a reply

Have you ever wondered what your car would look like in Lego form? Well you might just be able to find it, with a little help from The Lego Car Blog Archives.

We’re back with Part 2 of the Find My Car in Lego series, this time looking at the most frequently built brands from G to L.

If your car (or one you’re interested in seeing Legoifiyed – What? It is a word) wears a brand from G to L, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find it below!

…

G to L

GAZ

These Soviet era trucks and cars have appeared far more frequently than you might think. We also earned our record for the most negative comments received due one GAZ post in particular. Find it and the rest here.

Honda

Sports cars, economy cars, kei cars, Formula 1 cars, and humble mopeds, they’ve all appeared here by the dozen. Click here see everything we’ve published to wear the famous ‘H’.

Hummer

We hate Hummer. But that hasn’t stopped Lego versions from appearing here. Click these words and shout “U.S.A!” or “Freedom!” or some other nationalistic nonsense as you do.

Hyundai

Only a few Hyundais are in the archive so far, which is bit weird considering they’re one of the world’s largest manufacturers. With cars like the N Vision 74 pictured here, expect many more to come.

Isuzu

Trucks (mostly), and one of the most common vehicular sights across Asia. Find all the Lego versions to appear here by clicking these words.

Jaguar

An orderly queue of these British cars can be found in the archive, with even a few official LEGO sets now joining the fan-made models. Click here to join it.

Jeep

From wartime Willys to the latest Wrangler, around a hundred Jeep images are in the archive to date. Many of the models are motorised too, so you can recreate off-road adventures in miniature in your own back yard.

Koenigsegg

There are probably as many brick-built models of Sweden’s hypercar as there are the real thing. You can find those that have featured on this site by clicking here. There’s even an official LEGO set.

Lada

Russia’s most popular car brand has appeared here numerous times over the years. Resolutely rectangular LEGO bricks do seem to fit Lada’s aesthetic rather well…

Lamborghini

The products of Italy’s maddest supercar maker have been recreated countless times in brick form. One of the most popular brands in the archive, find all the Lego Lamborghinis to feature by clicking here.

Lancia

The most interesting back-catalogue of any car maker, matched only by their dismalness today. Unsurprisingly, it’s old Lancias that have captured the imagination of builders. Find their classics here.

Land Rover

The Best 4x4xFar. Except the Evoque Convertible, obviously. Beautiful replicas mix it with official LEGO sets. Click here to find them all.

Lexus

‘The Japanese Mercedes’, as one famous fictional radio DJ put it. They’re better than that though, and you can find all the models from Toyota’s luxury brand that have appeared here to date by clicking these words.

Lotus

From sports cars to movie stars, with even an official LEGO set thrown in. Why you really should take a look in the Lotus archive however, is for the historic Formula 1 racers. They are magnificent.

…

That’s the most frequently built car brands* from G to L. If you’d like to check out the previous A to F list you can do so here, and of course you can use the Search box on every page to be as specific as you like. Next time, M…

*If you’re wondering why Kia isn’t on the list, us too. The Lego Community; get on it.

Orangler

1 Reply

Here at a high-mid northern latitude, TLCB Team have been waiting for the arrival of spring. It’s getting light into the evenings, plants are waking up, and adventures are easier to find.

Cue today’s creation, this splendidly orange fully remote controlled Jeep Wrangler by previous bloggee gyenesvi. With Powered-Up four-wheel-drive and steering, live-axle suspension, and removable doors, hard-top, roll-bar, and winch, gyenesvi’s Wrangler is just the thing for springtime adventures.

It’s been duly taken on a few too, with some superb on-location shots on the mountain trails outside the city. There’s more of the model to see at the Eurobricks forum and on Bricksafe, where links to building instructions can also be found. Start your off-road adventure in an orange Wrangler via the links above.

Master MOGer

Leave a reply

TLCB Master MOCer Thirdwigg continues to expand his Mercedes-Benz Unimog catalogue. This one is a U5000 short cab tipper, meaning there’s more room to put stuff to tip. A three-way (snigger) tipping bed, working steering, high/low gearbox, rear suspension, piston engine, plus front and rear winches all feature, and you can see more – including a link to building instructions if you’d like to create it yourself – by clicking here.

Find My Car in Lego | A to F

1 Reply

Have you ever wondered what your car (or a car you really like… or even dislike for that matter) would look like in Lego form? Well The Lego Car Blog is here to help!

Whilst our Archives, rumoured to be inhabited by a band of long-lost and now-ferrel Elves, are a dark and bewildering place, you can access them digitally via the search box on every page. And fortunately for us, we have an intern, who we can send into the archival catacombs to retrieve past vehicular curiosities. Thus one mildly-traumatised intern later we can today commence a brand new series; Find My Car in Lego!

With so many vehicle brands past and present, this would be a very long post if we highlighted them all, so instead we’re going to focus on the most popular brands, segmented alphabetically, beginning with A to F…

…

A to F

Alfa Romeo

Like that girl you dated in college, Alfas are interesting, beautiful, and will cost you dearly. Click here to take a look at everything to wear the famous shield, from racing cars to aircraft. There’s even a link to Kim Kardashian’s bottom.

Audi

Vorsprung Durch Technik. Alongside plenty of Technic Audis to peruse, the Audi archive includes a few official LEGO sets, and whole load of quattros. Click here to get three feet from the car in front.

Austin

They didn’t just make Minis. From black cabs to mid-engined rally cars, put on your best British accent and take a look at everything to wear the Austin badge here.

Bentley

Once maker of the ‘fastest lorries in the world’, and now cars for footballers, you can pretend you don’t have a mortgage by clicking these words.

BMW

Now known for making the ugliest cars in existence, our archives are packed with brick-built machines wearing the firm’s roundel. Sedans, racing cars, motorcycles, and even oddities like this, you can find them all here.

Bugatti

The world’s fastest cars have, somewhat unsurprisingly, been recreated countless times in Lego form. Official LEGO Bugatti sets, and even a drivable life-size replica join the fan-built models.

Buick

From land yachts to hot rods, there’s a wide variety of Buicks in the archive. One’s even pedal powered. Click here to find them all.

Cadillac

More land yachts. And more than a few movie cars, from Ecto-1 to Mad Max. You can check out everything in the archives to wear the Cadillac badge here.

Chevrolet

Pick-up trucks, day vans, taxi cabs, hot rods, and – naturally – several little red Corvettes. There are dozens of Chevys of all types in the archives and you can find them all here.

Citroen

Really very French indeed, older Citroens have captured the imagination of countless of Lego builders. Find their creations by the dozen by clicking here.

Daihatsu

It’s not just supercars, Americana and quirky European classics here at The Lego Car Blog. Nope, tiny Japanese boxes feature too, and you can find every time Daihatsu have appeared by clicking here.

Dodge

Dodge have made all sorts of boring cars over the years, but for some reason 90% of those in our archives seem to be of the muscle variety. Click these words to see them all.

Fiat

Objects of both joy and derision, not least due to all the terrible Eastern European cars they spawned, you can find every Fiat – from official LEGO sets to Abarth spin-offs – by clicking here.

Ferrari

Probably the most popular brand* in the archive, with over three-hundred images tagged. Official sets, Formula 1 cars, classics, and supercars have been built in their hundreds.

Ford

*If it wasn’t for Ford, with nearly one-hundred Mustang images alone. Which has allowed us to make countless jokes about Mustang owners, and for that we are grateful. Find them, and the hundreds of non-Mustangs also wearing the Ford oval, by clicking here.

…

If your car’s make isn’t within this post and you don’t want to wait until we reach it alphabetically, you can of course find any vehicle that may have appeared here via the aforementioned search box. Simply input some words and see what’s returned! Next time, G…