Autoblog

Awesome Lego Lamborghini Countach is on a grand scale

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Lamborghini, Toys/Games

It's the ultimate childhood icon of the '80s built with the ultimate childhood toy of the '80s: a Lamborghini Countach fashioned from Lego blocks. One German member of Eurobricks.com created exactly that as he designed and built his very own Lego Lambo.

According to the Lego-centric forum, Georg (aka Polo-Freak) started with a 1:18 scale model of the Countach and used a computer program to begin mapping out the construction of Lego Lamborghini starting in 2007. Three years later, he started buying the necessary pieces for his Lego masterpiece, and while he doesn't give any ballpark figure of how many blocks it took to built the car (or at what cost), the number of pieces required for this project is probably more Legos than most of had in total as kids.

The scaled-down Lamborghini is surprisingly detailed with all of the car's unique elements - such as the raised spoiler, rear air scoops and even the pop-up headlights. After all the planning, it still took him two weeks to assemble. That is probably more dedication than most of us have put into our full-scale projects, and the end result is a nothing short of incredible.

Awesome Lego Lamborghini Countach is on a grand scale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to cure driving apathy among America's youth? Lego.

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, Toys/Games

We've heard it before: Kids today don't care about cars, and many are ambivalent about whether they will even drive or not. As hard as it might be to understand that mentality for us, it's a bigger problem for the automakers, who have lately been bending over backwards and jumping out of planes to appear relevant to young people.

So here's an idea, even if it's not a new one: Use Lego to get kids to love cars.

The managing editor of the Automotive News website recently took his family to Legoland Florida on vacation, where he was struck with the notion while watching his kids drive little Ford Lego cars, part of a sponsorship that launched last fall. According to the report, Ford's southern dealers are quite pleased with the deal, and have been using tickets to the amusement park as an incentive.

How to cure driving apathy among America's youth? Lego. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Merry Christmas from Autoblog!

Alex Nunez — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

Custom Lego 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible by Lino M. Click here to see additional shots.

All of us here at Autoblog would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. We hope that Santa treated everybody well, and that you all have a great day catching up with family and friends. Have fun and drive safe.

If you're bored during your travels, we highly recommend you fire up your smartphones and check out additional shots of the latest masterpiece from Lego mastermind Lino M. - the '66 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible shown above. As you can see, Santa and his Russian mail-order bride, Natasha, roll in style. (We wonder what Mrs. Claus thinks.) Check out the full set of photos of this killer custom Lego build at Lino M.'s Flickr stream.

[Image: Lino M./Flickr]

Merry Christmas from Autoblog! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brick By Brick: James May's Lego house comes down

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Toys/Games, UK

Top Gear host James May went to Dorking, England and built a Lego ~~fort~~ house in an orchard with more than three million Lego pieces. Now it's time for him to vacate the premises, and the house has been torn down. Mays had tried to get the structure taken to the Lego park in Windsor, but the cost and logistics were too challenging for the park to accept.

So now it's dismantled, all the way down to its red Lego slippers. With the plastic fantastic house in pieces, all of the bricks will go to charity and "they have all been allocated, so people can't just turn up with a bucket." That means you. Yet we do wonder if that goes for the Lego toilet as well...

[Source: Get Surrey | Image: Huladancer/Flickr/CC]

Brick By Brick: James May's Lego house comes down originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Don't call it OCD: Dude builds 32-valve DOHC V8 out of Legos

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Toys/Games

32-Valve, DOHC Lego V8 - click above image to watch the video

For those about to rock, we salute you, of course. And for those of you with four months of free time, seventeen suitcases full of Lego bricks and a masters in mechanical engineering, we'll totally give you props if - and only if - you come up with something as mind bending as this.

You are looking at a "working" Lego V8 engine. And the details are stunning. Pistons pump, valves open and close, rocker arms rock, the fly wheel spins -- there's even two bundle'o'snakes headers that flow into twin collectors, though we don't like how they get reduced and choked. But hey, if we really don't like it, we can build our own - with straight pipes! Also, we love the throttle bodies (made from radar disks) - they're a wonderful touch. Full video of running engine doing its thing after the jump. And we expect a user-submitted Jaguar V-12 by Christmas, so hop to it, readers.

Gallery: Lego V8

[Source: Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading VIDEO: Don't call it OCD: Dude builds 32-valve DOHC V8 out of Legos

VIDEO: Don't call it OCD: Dude builds 32-valve DOHC V8 out of Legos originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Limited slip differential Lego style

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Videos

Lego open differential - click image above for Lego LSD video

After spending enough time searching YouTube to make us reconsider our personal path in life, we're slowly coming to the conclusion that there just aren't other old-timey awesome vids like the one on the differential. Which, while a pity, isn't the end of the world. It's not even the end of videos. Case in point: today we learn how you tackle the issue of slip when playing with Legos.

First, let's a define our terms. A differential is a set of gears that allows drive wheels to turn independently of each other. Otherwise you'd snap an axle going around a turn on dry pavement. Slip is what happens when one wheel loses power (via the differential) and the other lose traction. Put another way, with an open diff if one tire is touching pavement while the other is on ice or in mud, the car won't go anywhere. Why? Because the differential allows 100% of the torque to be transmitted to the wheel that can spin freely, i.e. the wheel with slip. What you need then, is a way to limit the slip.

Now, in a real, non-Danish plastic brick-mobile, the solution proposed by the video wouldn't work so hot. For one thing, it would be very heavy and bulky. On real cars however, there's no one best solution -- or least no one can agree on a best solution. And really depending on the application -- road racing, suburban commuting, Baja 1000 -- one size doesn't fit all.

Dominant types include clutch-type (where clutches on the half-shafts compress based on torque input -- a spinning wheel would cause the clutch to engage, binding it to the non spinning wheel and transfering torque), geared (where after a predetermined torque split is achieved -- say 75% to one wheel, 25% to the other -- worm gears spin both drive shafts), viscous (increased heat from increased torque makes special oil have more friction, thereby tying the wheels together) and electronic (~~The Cylons have a plan~~ Sensors tell anti-lock brakes to stop spinning wheels from spinning, or other electronic interventions). There a few others of course (gerotor pump?), and now we can add Lego cam-style LSD to the list. Full video after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: Limited slip differential Lego style

VIDEO: Limited slip differential Lego style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: James May to build life-sized Lego house. But what's in the garage?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., UK, Celebrities

James May, a.k.a. Captain Slow on Top Gear, has a BBC show called James May's Toy Stories. After building an award-winning Plasticine garden and the world's largest model airplane, the next thing on May's list is a house built of Legos. A two-storey house. And he intends to live in it for a weekend.

The house will be built in Dorking, England and everything that can be made out of Legos will be made out of Lego. Said May, "I've got a man working on a flushing Lego lavatory. We think it's possible." Seeing that Legoland doesn't even have a house made of Lego - and certainly not Lego toilets - this should indeed be a "pioneering Lego cause." So far, three million Lego bricks have been contributed to the build, but May is looking for more in case you have any lying around.

[Source: BBC]

REPORT: James May to build life-sized Lego house. But what's in the garage? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Triumph Daytona motorcycle assembled from Lego bricks

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Toys/Games, Motorcycle, UK

Lego Triumph Daytona motorcycle - Click above to watch the video after the break

Further proof that you can literally fashion anything if given access to enough interconnecting Lego bricks is this Triumph Daytona 1200 motorcycle. The machine has apparently been on display for quite some time at Legoland Windsor in Berkshire, England and is obviously assembled from thousands of individual pieces. We especially like the detailed engine, which is complete with linkages for the carbs and throttle cables.

As cool as this creation is, how much better would it be with a fully functional Lego engine? Of course, having a full-scale building-block motorcycle would also require a matching helmet. May we suggest this one? Click past the break for a video of the LEGO Triumph Daytona on its display stand and click here for more automotive-themed Lego madness.

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Continue reading VIDEO: Triumph Daytona motorcycle assembled from Lego bricks

VIDEO: Triumph Daytona motorcycle assembled from Lego bricks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Childhood Redeemed: Lego artist creates jaw-dropping four-wheeled creations

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

Firas Abu-Jaber's Lego cars - click above for a high-res gallery

This is how you tell the master from the journeyman: Give them a common task, place the same tools in each of their hands, and while journeyman's results will be acceptable, the master's results will be amazing. Firas Abu-Jaber has a way with Legos that certainly qualifies him as a master in the medium when it comes to building cars.

By his own admission, having played with Legos since he started eating cereal, he is now proficient enough with the regular blocks - not the specialized sets - to create all manner of realistic vehicles and interiors. His work speaks for itself, so have a look at the gallery below to see what passion can do with a set of Legos.

Gallery: Abu-Jaber Lego Cars

[Source: MOC Pages (via Jalopnik)]

Childhood Redeemed: Lego artist creates jaw-dropping four-wheeled creations originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 May 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad physicist creates cars out of LEGOs

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Toys/Games

Click above for gallery of LEGO creations by the Mad Physicist

Today we bring you some more wonderfully crazy LEGO creations, this time created by a genuine mad scientist. The creator is actually a physicist living in Southampton, England, and his creations are so insanely imaginative that he is often described as mad by fellow LEGO artists, which explains his Mad physicist moniker on Flickr. His real name is Ralph Savelsberg and he's quite the modeler. On his Flickr page you'll see airplanes, helicopters and buildings, but his four-wheeled vehicles are what caught our eye.

Savelsberg's 1/22-scale vehicles are some of the most realistic LEGO interpretations we've ever seen, which is remarkable considering how small they are. As Savelsberg explains, most of the models were built for various challenges put forth by different LEGO groups. For example, there's a lime green Lamborghini Miura built for the "Who is agent Janus?" challenge on LUGNuts. Besides the Miura and Agent Janus, there's also an Audi TT, Ford F-150 SVT Lightning and Harley-Davidson Edition, BMW Z3, 427 Cobra with a detailed engine, some sweet Volkswagens, an old Benz, a hot rod, muscle cars, a Jag Mk2, even Sonny Crockett and his Testarossa. They are really spectacular and make us want to break out our bricks. Thanks for the tip, Will!

Gallery: MadPhysicist LEGO creations

[Source: Flickr via Sooth Brush]

Mad physicist creates cars out of LEGOs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Build your own 1960 Beetle - with Legos

Chris Tutor — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:07:00 EST

Filed under: Volkswagen, Toys/Games

There's likely to be no shortage of VW Beetle owners who can relate to this new kit from Lego. It's a box with 1,626 parts in it that one day, after hours of work, will resemble a classic Bug. Three differences: This box of bits will only cost you $120 and a successful build is probably not above your skill level. Oh, and your spouse probably won't mind you building this one on the kitchen table.

When completed, the VW measures 16 inches long by 6.5 inches tall. Its tiny stick shift moves, the glove compartment opens and the seats fold forward. The engine is in back where Beetle engines belong and up front is the spare tire. When you're done, finish off the car with the included VW logo decal.

It's too bad the Beetle's curvaceous roofline and nose are made jagged by the blocky Logos, but on the other hand, it's kinda cool, too. Thanks for the tip, Andy!

Gallery: Lego 1960 VW Beetle

[Source: Auto Trader Blog]

Build your own 1960 Beetle - with Legos originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Le Mans goes Lego on cover of Winding Road

John Neff — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Audi

Online auto mag Winding Road has always been an interesting read, but one area in which the digital rag's been lacking is graphic design, particularly when it comes to covers. The most recent issue eclipses all others by foregoing the expense of more talented graphic designers and putting the mag's face in the hands of Todd Osborn, an Ypsilanti, Michigan resident and apparent Lego god.

The cover features a dead-on shot of Audi's R10 diesel Le Mans racer composed entirely of Legos. Osborn used a little less than 20,000 blocks to create the work of art, and requested Winding Road return them all when the photo shoot was finished. At the end of this "Making Of" video we see the Winding Road staff unceremoniously dismantling the work brick by handful of bricks.

[Source: Winding Road via Nestcape]

Le Mans goes Lego on cover of Winding Road originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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