Desert Patrol

August 27, 2016, 5:48 am

≫ Next: 6×6 + RC + Truck = Fun!

≪ Previous: Plan B

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This TLCB writer was hoping for a quiet afternoon watching the Spa Grand Prix qualifying today. Sadly one of our Elves had other ideas. A victim of several smushings in the past, today it found the creation it had longed for ever since it was first released from its cage.

Lightweight, stealthy black, remote control with twin L Motors driving the rear wheels, and with gloriously bouncy suspension, 1711902090‘s* ‘Desert Patrol’ RC buggy was the perfect find for an aggrieved Elf. It even has a machine gun (thankfully non-functioning) mounted to the front.

The result of all that remote control goodness floated down the corridor to TLCB office in the form of Elven screaming followed by a significant bang. Sigh. A weary trudge to the corridor outside revealed the buggy upside-down, rear wheels still spinning, with a trail of variously smushed Elves stretching down the carpet behind it and three still tangled up inside the wreckage.

We’ll sort out the Elven injuries later, for now you can join us looking at the creation that caused them on Brickshelf – click the link above to make the jump.

*Who really needs a better online name.

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6×6 + RC + Truck = Fun!

August 28, 2016, 6:23 am

≫ Next: Eurotrash

≪ Previous: Desert Patrol

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We got a bit drunk last night, and thus today isn’t going to be very productive. Luckily one of our readers has stepped in to keep TLCB functioning with a Guest Blog. Nils O, a previous bloggee himself, picks up the pen…

The headline says it all, so there should be no need to say much more… but hey, that would be a boring blog entry, wouldn’t it?

I found this fun promising RC Truck on the frontpage of MOCpages a few days ago and didn’t really notice it at the first look. But then I opened the page and thought: “Wow!… It must be so much fun to drive a truck like this one!” As I am not there at TLCB Towers, I can’t see it, but I bet the Elves will play with this thing for hours until they (or the batteries) get exhausted. (By the way, I want my blue Smartie, an M&M would be OK, too… – You can send it via E-Mail).

The truck has a 6×6 drive train powered by six Buggy motors, with a live axle in the front and bogie suspension in the rear, plus portal gears on each wheel. All of that complexity looks to work very well, providing quite a rigid suspension system perfect for difficult terrain, and the truck seems to be quite fast too (that’ll be those six Buggy motors! Ed.). The body is custom designed looks very cool – as if it were custom built truck for real life Truck Trial competitions.

The builder behind it is Desert752 Kirill, and you can find full details of his this “Fun Truck” and more of the builder’s amazing Technic creations on MOCpages via the links above.

Thanks to Nils for filling in today. You can check out his own models via the link above, and if you’d like to suggest a creation, or even guest blog one, you can leave us a comment on our Feedback and Submission Suggestions page here.

Eurotrash

August 29, 2016, 12:01 pm

≫ Next: Simplify, Then Add Lightness

≪ Previous: 6×6 + RC + Truck = Fun!

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This is not one of the more sexy vehicles to appear here at The Lego Car Blog. It is, as any European reader will know, a humble Volvo refuse truck. But it one of the most well thought-out Technic creations to appear here in a very long time.

There are no remote control components, no motors, and no pneumatics, but this model has mechanical functionality by the wheelie bin load. Built by previous bloggee Thirdwigg the little Volvo features a mechanical bin lift, compacter, extraction plate, hopper, piston engine, steering, tilting cab and opening hopper. It’s just the sort of model that we wish LEGO would add to the Technic range themselves, and there’s lots more to see on Flickr and Eurobricks at the links.

Simplify, Then Add Lightness

August 31, 2016, 4:03 pm

≫ Next: Naked Ride

≪ Previous: Eurotrash

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Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s philosophy is more true today than it has ever been. Excess weight in car design is a very bad thing, and it’s something that has got out of hand in recent times. It ruins handling, acceleration, braking, and fuel consumption, yet auto manufacturers seem to have shown little concern for it over the last two decades.

Finally however, after cars becoming increasingly heavy with each successive generation, emissions and fuel consumption concerns have forced manufacturers to rethink the way that their products are designed. For the first time in, well… ever, the next generation of a car is usually lighter than the model it replaces.

The problem of excess weight is much the same with powered Lego creations, blighting performance and – just like real cars – requiring more and more power to overcome it. It’s therefore a refreshing change to find a builder who has focussed on stripping as much weight out of their creation as possible, all in the name of performance.

This wonderfully minimalist remote control 4×4 trophy truck is the work of previous bloggee paave, and it only requires one motor for drive and another for steering to give it remarkable off-road ability. You can see paave’s truck in action on both Eurobricks and MOCpages, whilst we congratulate ourselves on writing a whole post about excess weight without mentioning your Mom. Damn…

Naked Ride

September 2, 2016, 4:28 am

≫ Next: Nightcrawler

≪ Previous: Simplify, Then Add Lightness

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Apologies if you’re a first time visitor and you were expecting to see something else. Anyhow, now that you’re here take a peek at this superb ‘naked motorcycle’ by Senpai Ragnarok.

Naked motorbikes are so called because many of their working parts are exposed, uncovered by the large plastic fenders that are usually fitted. Senpai’s Technic example uses this strategy to great effect, exposing a working in-line three cylinder engine, two-speed gearbox and front and rear suspension systems.

There’s more to see at Senpai’s Flickr photostream and via the Eurobricks forum – click the links to take a closer look.

Nightcrawler

September 4, 2016, 4:45 am

≫ Next: 8845 Redux

≪ Previous: Naked Ride

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Another day and another Elf successfully returns to TLCB Towers. Today’s find is the work of Stari89, and it’s quite a cleverly engineered creation. Featuring remote control all-wheel-drive and all-wheel-steering, a flat-4 ‘boxer’ engine, live axle suspension, and opening gull-wing doors, Stari’s stealthy black ‘Trial Crawler’ includes as many features as LEGO’s own version. There’s lots more to see, including some great chassis photos, via Eurobricks and Brickshelf.

8845 Redux

September 8, 2016, 1:04 am

≫ Next: A Streetcar Named Desire

≪ Previous: Nightcrawler

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Technic, this writer’s favourite theme, used to look a bit weird. Its focus was on functions, not aesthetics (perhaps the opposite of where we are today), and it was all the better for it. But what if some of those early Technic sets could be updated with today’s smoother construction methods?

Handily MOCpages’ Nils O has decided to find out, rebuilding 1981’s 8845 Dune Buggy set using the latest studless pieces, and the the result is… well, still a bit weird to be honest. Nevertheless, it’s an area of building we’d like to see more often, and Nils’ buggy features all the charm of the original but updated for the current age.

There’s more to see of Nils’ 8845 Redux on MOCpages via the link above, and you can read his review of the original 1981 Technic set as part of the Review My Set Competition by clicking here.

A Streetcar Named Desire

September 8, 2016, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Dropped D21

≪ Previous: 8845 Redux

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Entitled simply ‘SBrick Powered Streetcar’, Horcik Designs’ latest creation extols the virtues of one of LEGO’s most sought after pieces, the 5292 ‘Buggy’ Motor. Linked to a third-party SBrick, a LEGO LiPo battery, and a Servo Motor for steering, the aforementioned motor gives Horcik’s car a rapid turn of speed, and makes it capable of drifts on a shiny floor too.

There are 3D printed wheels, custom decals and cut LEGO tyres alongside that non-LEGO control unit, and there’s more to see at Horcik’s photostream here or via the Eurobricks forum here. Get sideways at the links.

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Dropped D21

September 8, 2016, 4:02 pm

≫ Next: To Protect and Serve…

≪ Previous: A Streetcar Named Desire

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No sooner had we published a reader review of LEGO’s infamous buggy motor than two Elves returned to TLCB Towers with a Buggy Motor powered creation. Maybe they can read after all? The first of their Buggy Motor propelled finds you can view below, the second is this; Filsawgood’s brilliant 1991 Nissan D21 Hardbody pick-up.

Like today’s other blogged model Filsawgood’s D21 uses the combination of a Buggy Motor driving the rear wheels, a Servo for steering, and a third-party SBrick for control via bluetooth device, plus there’s all-wheel suspension and custom stickers.

The D21 hardbody is also a damn cool antidote for our deep-rooted loathing of the pick-up truck genre at the hands of hateful crap like the Dodge Ram. You can see more of Filsawgood’s glorious early ’90s Nissan at both Flickr and Eurobricks – click the links for the full gallery, build details, and a video of the truck in action.

To Protect and Serve…

September 10, 2016, 5:05 am

≫ Next: Back in Black

≪ Previous: Dropped D21

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Mr. Airhorn has done sterling work over the years*. Much feared by our Elven workforce, this humble combination of plastic trumpet and compressed gas has been the dominating force in restoring order and emptying TLCB Towers of Elves when needed.

Now, thanks to a reader, we think we can add another tool to our armoury. This gloriously insane Technic trophy truck comes from 1711902090 of Brickshelf, and it’s everything an Elf would look for in a vehicle with which to cause wanton destruction. Remote control, large-travel suspension, monster V6 engine with supercharger… But this creation isn’t for the Elves, thanks to what’s printed on each side;

POLICE.

The Elves fear any authority, and that six-letter words gives us all the excuses we need to commandeer this machine for our own purposes. Namely chasing our smelly little workforce out of the office when we’ve had enough of them.

We’re pretty sure that the Elves can’t read, so there’s little danger of them learning about our new weapon here at thelegocarblog.com. Whilst we give it a go this afternoon you can check out all of the images of 1711902090’s magnificent model on Brickshelf via the link above.

*Like here. And here. And here, here, here, here and here. And here.

Back in Black

September 12, 2016, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado – Picture Special

≪ Previous: To Protect and Serve…

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This lovely Ford 5-Window Coupe hot rod was discovered on Brickshelf by one of our Elves. It comes from newcomer TeddyMagenta, and besides looking the part it’s got a working piston engine, 4-speed gearbox, functioning steering, front and rear suspension, and opening doors and boot-lid. There’s lots more to see of this excellent build at Teddy’s Brickshelf gallery – click the link above to make the jump.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado – Picture Special

September 12, 2016, 4:02 pm

≫ Next: We’re Going to Need a Bigger Bucket…

≪ Previous: Back in Black

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The best 4×4 in the world is not a Land Rover. Or a Jeep. Or a Hummer (and if you were thinking of suggesting that last one go back to school). It’s this, Toyota’s ubiquitous Land Cruiser Prado. Now quite a rare beast in TLCB’s home nation, having lost favour to far more efficient – but far less capable – cross-overs, the Land Cruiser is still the 4×4 of choice for most of the world.

This awesome remote control Technic recreation of Toyota’s iconic 4×4 is the work of KevinMoo, and it’s a really trick bit of kit. There’s four-wheel-drive complete with remotely locking differentials, independent front and live axel rear suspension, working steering, gearbox, head and tail lights, and opening doors and tailgate, plus Kevin’s Prado can be operated remotely via a bluetooth device thanks to a third-party SBrick control unit.

There’s a whole lot more to see of this brilliant build at the Eurobricks discussion forum – click the link above to take a trip into the rough stuff.

We’re Going to Need a Bigger Bucket…

September 26, 2016, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Brute of a Ute

≪ Previous: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado – Picture Special

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…and actuators and tyres and pretty much everything else too. This beast of machine comes from Hong Kong based builder Shineyu and was discovered by our Elves on the Eurobricks Technic forum. It’s on such a massive scale that normal Technic tyres have had to be replaced with non-Lego RC car ones. The linear actuators are built from scratch, as is the bucket: 42030‘s is just too small.  Click the link in the text to see more photos, including comparisons with standard Lego parts and click below to see the machine in action.

N.B.  You’re probably wondering why a TLCB post featuring a piece of large, Power Functions construction equipment contains no references to chaos, smushings, Elf fights and the other usual stuff.  Well you’ve been reading this blog for long enough to expect that this all happened as usual but on a far, far larger scale.  Right, we’re off to browse eBay for a bulk buy of compressed air canisters for Mr. Airhorn and stain remover for the office carpet.

Brute of a Ute

September 27, 2016, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Trucking Down to Dakar

≪ Previous: We’re Going to Need a Bigger Bucket…

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The LUGNuts group on Flickr is currently holding a dragster contest and Lino Martins has produced a souped-up ute in response. The “ute” is a classic vehicle of the Australian outback, like the pick-up in North America or the camionetta in South America. Holden still produce utes, despite having been subsumed into the General Motors empire. With an engine of 6.2l available as standard, we don’t think that you’d need to do much to make a great drag-racer of this car. It’s also the only car manufacturer’s website that we’ve visited with a button to press just listen to the engine noise. Click here to see Lino’s ute at full size and click here to hear the roar of its modern counterpart.

Trucking Down to Dakar

September 28, 2016, 4:02 pm

≫ Next: Two Technic Trucks

≪ Previous: Brute of a Ute

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Well, Buenos Aires to be truthful. The Lego Car Blog Elves love visiting Sariel’s Lego workshop at www.sariel.pl It’s the home of great Technic builds and there’s often hamster food lying around for our workers to steal to supplement their rations.

Sariel’s latest creation is this bright and brilliant Dakar Truck, based on a Tatra T815 4×4. It uses Lego’s bright, lime green, of which Sariel is apparently a big fan, plus loads of custom stickers. Twin Lego RC motors power the truck to 12kph, giving occasional cornering problems, as you can see in the video below.

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Two Technic Trucks

September 29, 2016, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: A Soviet Smasher

≪ Previous: Trucking Down to Dakar

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A successful raiding party of Elves has returned from the Eurobricks forums with not one but two Technic lorries. First up is an RC Isuzu NPR from Shineyu. This little gem is a real contrast to the massive front loader from the same builder, which we featured earlier in the week. Fortunately its small size meant that there was nowhere near the same scale of Elf carnage as on Monday.

In the meantime, there was no Elf carnage at all caused by Razor‘s Scania R500 6×4, as his Power Functions pieces are deployed in another MOC. Nonetheless, this lorry looks great and takes advantage of some of the new Technic panels in blue to get a smooth cab. Click the links in the text to see more of each vehicle.

A Soviet Smasher

October 7, 2016, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Dig This

≪ Previous: Two Technic Trucks

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It’s been a fairly calm week at The Lego Car Blog Towers. You can therefore imagine our dismay, as we stumbled down the steps into our luxury penthouse editorial suite and found smushed Elves embedded in the Axminster. It could only mean one thing: the Elves had found a Technic Power Functions model.

This particular creation was discovered on MOCpages. It’s been built by Piotr K and features working 6×6 drive, suspension and gears. Weighing just over 2.5kg, it’s slightly lighter than the 1950s original.  Sadly that weight of bricks can smush even the largest of our workforce. Whilst we’re cleaning up, click this link to MOCpages to see more photos and a video of the machine in action.

Dig This

October 11, 2016, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Eleph-Ant

≪ Previous: A Soviet Smasher

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We were going to start this post by stating that good things come in eights, but we ran out of ideas after hot dog buns, pirate gold, and octopus tentacles. No matter, because this superb remote control Technic excavator from Brickshelf’s pipasseyoyo can add another group of eight to the list, as it has eight Power Functions motors packed inside.

Controlling everything from the boom elevation, superstructure rotation, stabilisers, blade, and bucket, this excavator is a real showcase for what LEGO motors can do when in the right hands. There’s a huge gallery of images available, plus a link to a video of those eight motors in action, at pipasseyoyo’s Brickshelf account – click the link above if you dig it.

Eleph-Ant

October 17, 2016, 10:43 am

≫ Next: Crawler Grabber

≪ Previous: Dig This

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Suggested by a reader, and looking like a cross between and ant and an elephant, this Mecalac MTX articulated excavator is one of the weirdest (and ugliest) vehicles we’ve featured in some time.

However, much like the real Mecalac, this remote controlled replica by newcomer proran of Eurobricks is a very clever bit of kit. No fewer than five Power Functions motors, five linear actuators, and three IR receivers control everything from the drive and articulated steering to the outriggers, 360 degree slew, four-section independent boom elevation, and bucket articulation.

You can see how all of that works at the Eurobricks discussion forum via the link above, where there are also digital renders of the mechanics and a video of the MTX in action.

Crawler Grabber

October 19, 2016, 2:25 pm

≫ Next: Civic Duty

≪ Previous: Eleph-Ant

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This weird-looking device is apparently a Crawler-Grabber, and we suppose it is, seeing as it both crawls and grabs. It’s the work of TLCB favourite Nico71, and it can lift a TLCB Elf surprisingly high into the air before dropping it into the toilet. Don’t worry, we didn’t press the flush.

Controlled remotely via LEGO’s Power Functions system, Nico’s creation is able to drive, skid steer, and elevate and extend the boom. It looks a bit like one of those RC bomb disposal robots and as such we may well put it to use removing Elf droppings from the Cage Room. Whilst we get cleaning you can see more on Brickshelf – click here to grab a look.