Lately, builder Alex Eylar has been absolutely knocking it out of the park with builds dedicated to creating a LEGO-made ambiance. I covered a pair of his brick-built spaces not too long ago, but I think I like Alex’s latest creation even more. A combination gas station and restaurant, this building and it’s superb lighting convey the desert at dusk perfectly. There’s so much detail, including the cacti, shelves inside the convenience store, and signage for the restaurant around back. But my favorite detail is the obscured brown car sitting along-side the building.
Tag Archives: Gas Station
Two friends and some past gas
Life changes quickly and there could come a time when even a modern gas pump may become a thing of the past. But thankfully Eloi Parizeau and his friend Martin Chauvette teamed up to preserve a blast from the past in LEGO.They’ve built this very retro gas pump in striking red and yellow. The replica stands twenty six inches high and is constructed from over 4000 pieces. I particularly like the golden shell with wings emblem and the Captain America shield as a centralized emblem on the light face up top. Eloi tells us this isn’t a theme he would normally build for but as a car enthusiast and a lover of all things retro, I’m pretty glad they did.
A cup of joe to go – at 10,000ft!
I love the nostalgia that surrounds Route 66, and Crises_crs shoots for the sky with this retrofitted reimagining of a Route 66 diner. The trucks parked as they are adds a depth of everyday realism to the build, and the repurposed vehicles really compliment the futuristic design, with hover conversion technology erupting below the trucks’ original frames. The diner itself has a nice amount of detail, with space allowing for the trucks to moor, and for the drivers to sit and rest. The adverts that homage the Route 66 of long ago is the perfect finishing touch.
This is where I hid the bodies
Other than having a dark sense of humor, why would I title an article about this LEGO gas station in such a way? The service station has a well-worn feel. There’s a couple of motorcycles and the patrons there seem friendly enough. But when you take a close look at this creation by Dan the Fan you begin to see several minifig torsos used in creative ways. There are two in gray holding up the shell sign and four in dark gray acting as the base for the water tower. Several more upside-down torsos comprise the trim design of the building while another two in red make up part of the gas pump. My favorite use of the minifig torso however is in the road sign, partially comprising the shape of Texas. Can you spot other uses for the minifig torso? (Other than the ones obviously used as minifig torsos.)
Hang in there, gas stations. We’ll need you in Valhalla!
The apocalypse didn’t happen quite as we had expected. Most of us have the masks and social distancing down pat, but when is it appropriate to start wearing spiked shoulder pads and warpaint? I mean, will shouting “witness me!” while spraying chrome paint over my teeth whisk me away to glorious Valhalla, or will it just make me look foolish at a Starbucks? I really want to do right by this apocalypse thing. I can assure you, the last thing I want is to look foolish at Starbucks while ordering a pumpkin spice latte. This LEGO abandoned garage by Kai/Geneva reminds me that this has been more of a stay home, stay safe and watch Netflix kind of apocalypse. I do hope that they hang in there, though.
While I have not visited a gas station in nearly three months, there may come a time when we’ll have rage-fueled war convoys, and when that happens, we’ll need all the gas we can get. So hang in there, please! Someday, when apocalyptic fashion dictates, I may outfit my little Beetle with truck tires and steel girders and wreak bloody havoc on the Fury Road…or to Whole Foods to pick up some kale and quinoa. You know, the impulse items.
Fill your tank up at this 1960s Italian gas station
What has six legs, barks, and has a lot of gas? The answer, of course, is this lovely 1960s AGIP gas station built by Norton74. AGIP was founded in Italy back in 1926, and the company’s mascot is an unusual looking six-legged fire-breathing dog. For this model, Norton74 drew inspiration from his childhood memories of classic AGIP gas stations, and the results are spectacular. The structure’s rounded walls and sloping roof are not only characteristic of the period being represented; they also add a visual interest that really makes this model “pop.” Other fun details include a pair of slick looking gas pumps, utility poles, and even a cute dealer display for Pirelli tires. Finishing off the entire scene is a sharp looking yellow AGIP tanker truck.
But wait; there’s more. Flipping the gas station around reveals a fun backyard junkyard, which is something you would almost expect to see behind the real deal. Someone had better lift that oil drum upright, though!
Fuel, Give Me Fire, Give me the Gas Station I Desire!
This rustic gas station was built by Markus Rollbühler. He started things off with the Ford tow truck, which then served as the inspiration behind the surrounding architecture and landscaping. According to Markus, he’s “not much of a car builder,” but I can’t help but be impressed by the intricate-looking towing mechanism on the back of his vibrant, bright-light-orange truck. Thanks to the excellent use of darker colors, Markus’ gas station really looks like something you might find while cruising down Route 66.
There are plenty of little details to enjoy, including the building’s tilted siding, the custom-built outdoor furniture, and the little red bird in the tree. In particular, I’m loving the design of those trees, which uses several green feather parts as leaves. This same technique was used in one of Markus’ models we featured back in October. In fact, that particular tree looks like it might have been transplanted next to this gas station.
The General Store
Somewhere in the heart of America, in some tiny, rundown town, sits a gas station just like this one. Actually, there are many of them along old nearly-forgotten interstate highways. They are a staple of rural American culture. The original (non-LEGO) miniature diorama by Yasu Okugawa from Doozy! Modelworks, was built with many materials, and is quite beautiful. But this version by César Soares packs a ton of detail into a small space, using only LEGO! He does a wonderful job of capturing as many aspects of the original as possible. (Aside from the added touch of recognizable LEGO stickers instead of the originals)
The build is definitely one to zoom in on and take a while to look at every angle. From revolver gas-pump handles to green artist-pallette trees, and even spoon chair legs, it’s certainly a clever use of parts. The techniques used to achieve such an authentic look on the building, pumps, and car are truly impressive!