Tag Archives: Antique Cars

Parting out a 1956 Super 88

Wow. There are lots of ways to breathe life into old things but Builder Thomas Gion found a new one using some crutches. Inspired while driving down the highway, Thomas decided to try to recreate the shaping of its front grill using that unique crutch piece and the rest was history. Not quite Speed Champions scale with its 5-stud wide cabin, this probably fits more into the midi-scale category. Either way, the parts usage on this build is ingenious. Not only is the detailing on the front of the model amazing, the coloration Thomas achieved in the body is simplistic but effective. He also made use of old trans-clear macaroni bricks for the windscreen which was also neatly sandwiched in with some cheese slopes.

1956 Oldsmobile Super 88

It can be hard to get the shaping right for some of the classic cars. They might be blocky in some ways but they’re also pretty smooth with an artistic flair. Its always nice to see when one is done proper justice.

Not too windy for you back there, is it?

Way back in the day, automobiles offered some additional capacity by adding a folding seat into the rear of the car. These were called “Rumble seats”…or, perhaps more descriptively, “Mother-in-law Seats”. K P showcases the downsides of outdoor seating with a brick-built wonder straight from the 1930’s. There are great building touches like the sleek hard top roof and ample headlights, but it’s their use of a minifigure “action stand” to show the effects of too much wind in the hair that really makes this one stand out to me. Good thing that umbrella is still closed, or we’d be in for a real Mary Poppins moment.

Mother-in-law seat 4

If this moment from the past appeals to you, check out our archives for more antique roadster goodness.

The origin story of Czech motoring

LEGO’s Speed Champions line has done a pretty good job of covering cars from a diverse range of eras, but they’re yet to represent the really early days of the automobile. In truth it’s unlikely they ever will, but thankfully we have builders like Pixeljunkie to scratch that particular itch! Pixeljunkie is no stranger to vintage automotive builds, and his latest creation is a doozy all the way from 1905. The car in question is the Laurin & Klement (L&K) company’s first motor car, the Voiturette A, which is where the firm now known as Skoda can trace its origins to. The company originally made bicycles, which makes the use of bicycle wheels for the car’s spindly wheels rather appropriate! Nougat and .dark red pieces are good approximations of the wooden body. The lamp on the right hand side of the car is worthy of further inspection, as well. It’s very simple: two gold chrome pieces, including the One Ring, on a headlight brick. The fact this headlight brick is transparent, though, makes the gold pieces stand out, and makes the lamp seem smaller and daintier than if a solid colour had been used. Finally, take note of the umbrella used as detailing on the footplate… There’s no roof on this puppy, so if it rains, you may need it!

1905 Skoda L&K Voiturette

Meaner than a junkyard...er...dog?

When I think of a junkyard dog, I think of something big and terrifying, like a mastiff, Doberman, or pit bull, one of the dogs with big teeth and a nasty (if mostly undeserved) reputation. But Joe here keeps something even scarier on hand at his scrapyard: a Chihuahua. You might think I’m joking, but I’d rather face down a raging pit bull than a feisty bug-eyed ankle-biter. That’s why I’m quite content to view Faber Mandragore‘s latest LEGO creation from a safe distance, behind a screen with a keyboard in between. I love the depth of field created with the massive heap of tires and rusted junk behind the fence, with a blurry excavator ready to pick stuff up with its claw; it gives the picture a sense of realism, allowing it to fill the frame. Then, of course, there are the piles of rusted cars in the yard, perfectly aged in a difficult medium to show weathering. I just hope those workers have had their tetanus boosters!

Joe's scrapyard

This is not Faber’s first attempt at classic cars; check out our articles on others of Faber Mandragore’s LEGO builds.

Fighting crime like it’s 1966

Throughout Batman’s illustrious career, he has driven a wide range of Batmobiles — and LEGO fans have built several wonderful representations over the years. While many people might point to the 1989 Batmobile as their favorite, mine would have to be Adam West’s ride from the 1960s Batman TV series. Custom car legend George Barris owned the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car and modified it into a bat-classic. Therefore, I squealed like a bat with glee when I saw Lucas‘ LEGO version of this iconic car.

Lego 1966 Batmobile
Have a closer look at this classic Batmobile.

The incredible inedible electric egg

Electric cars existed long before Tesla, dating back to the 19th century. But one of the most bizarre-looking was L’Oeuf Electrique, which is French for the Electric Egg. Designed by Paul Arzens in 1942, the little three-wheeled car consisted of an aluminum body and plexiglass windshield. Small cars like the BMW Isetta would prove popular in post-World War II Europe, and Arzens hoped his eclectic electric might also find a place on the road. While Arzen’s concept never really took off, we’d like to think he would be proud to see his car brilliantly reproduced in LEGO-form by Aido K.

L'Oeuf Electrique

Take a closer look at this unusual looking electric car.

Hey pal, where ya going?

Next to towering skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty, New York City has also long been identified with streets full of yellow taxicabs. LEGO car builder Pixeljunkie chose to represent a classic Checker cab, complete with its characteristic black and white checkerboard-style trim. While the car itself looks great, it is further enhanced by the gritty scenery which includes a knocked over trash can. Meanwhile, the irritated-looking minifig driver sitting cross-legged adds an extra dash of personality.

Mini Taxi

If you love the Checker cab, you will probably also enjoy Pixeljunkie’s chopped Model A Ford hot rod. It packs some serious muscle in the engine and behind the wheel, and the whitewall tires give it a strong sense of style.

1930 Ford Model A Pick Up Hot Rod "1 HMRD A"

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, our fine four-fendered friend!

One look at GunnBuilding‘s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and you’ll be transported back to your childhood toot sweet! Many of us hold fond memories of the 1968 movie version (the Child Catcher notwithstanding) about a wacky inventor and his fantastic flying car. A bit of trivia for you: The original novel was written by Ian Fleming. Fleming is probably best known as the creator of James Bond, the owner of another iconic car, the Aston Martin DB5.

Almost all of Chitty’s details are represented here including the red spoked wheels, silver dash and boat-like passenger area. I love the inclusion of the old time bulb horn made from a potion bottle and of course, the red and yellow wings cleverly created from folded minifigure capes. It even includes a minifig version of the car’s fictional inventor, Caractacus Potts. The only things missing are the wing propellers and the front and back fins which GunnBuilding plans to add in the future. His original plan was to create the fins using minifig flippers, but since they don’t come in a red and yellow striped version, he is still searching for another solution. But even without them, this car is still perfect for flying away to Hushabye Mountain in style.

Racing like a bluebird across the sky

This dart of a LEGO car by GunnBuilding is a reimagining from the original heyday of the automobile, when people first realized that racing steel machines with wheels was great fun. The tiny single-seater is strapped together with a tenuousness befitting its early origins, the curved slopes of the hood held closed by rubber bands and numerous other elements held on by only the merest clutch. The result, however, is brilliant, and this car looks as speedy as it does classy.

Bluebird (Updated)

These Volkswagens will leave you with the BUG to GOLF

When it comes to building classic cars out of LEGO bricks, Volkswagens have remained a popular subject. While there are plenty of great LEGO Beetles and Transporters out there, it’s nice to see something from the 1980s like Brixe63’s VW Golf Cabriolet. One of the challenges in building the Golf is capturing the subtle angles of the body. Brixe63 has managed to pull it off, right down to the tilt of the windshield. The 1×1 tiles placed within clips work well as mirrors, and the silver barbs make for nice door handles.

VW Golf I Cabrio.01

The builder also made a slick-looking version of the classic VW Beetle. Here, Brixe63 proves as adept at replicating the Beetle’s curves as she is with the subtle angles of the Golf.

VW Beetle .01

She even built a fleet of Beetles, including a convertible and police car. With the top down and a lovely tan and green color scheme, the convertible is my favorite of the three.

3 VW Käfer

The little red Alfa that could

Back in the 1930s, Enzo Ferrari teamed up with automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo to make history on the racetrack. Ferrari wasn’t in the business of making cars yet, but their famous prancing pony emblem was used on team Ferrari cars. One of the most famous team Ferrari Alfas was a 1934 P3, which won the 1935 German Grand Prix with Tazio Nuvolari behind the wheel. Thanks to Pixeljunkie, Team Ferrari’s P3 has been brought back to life in LEGO-form. There is some excellent visual storytelling here, with an intrepid female driver making a pit stop in the woods to admire local wildlife. Both the car and surrounding landscaping look beautiful.

Alfa Romeo P3

Like many of his other cars, Pixeljunkie places the Alfa in different scenarios. Here, we get a look under the hood at the expense of some engine trouble. Fortunately, the driver remembered to bring along her toolkit.

Alfa Romeo P3

I particularly enjoy this playful image, which shows the driver’s reflection in the car’s rear view mirror. With the engine fixed, she’s ready to hit the road again!

Alfa Romeo P3

The Alfa Romeo P3 is just one in a growing number of cars built by Pixeljunkie and featured on the Brothers Brick, including a Ford Model T, Mercedes Benz W196, and Type 37A Bugatti.

Series 62 Cadillac: building an American classic

When you think of the classic American car there’s a good chance you’ll be dreaming about the Series 62 Cadillac. This large scale LEGO version built by Robson M is a brick-perfect rendition of an automobile icon. As in real life it’s all about the lines, which have been perfectly formed here, with special attention being given to the emblematic fins.

Cadillac Series 62

Incorporating full interior, opening doors and trunk, the model is a love letter to vintage Americana, and one of the finest LEGO Cadillacs I’ve seen.

Cadillac Series 62