An ode to the tow truck of Andrea Grazi - review and impressions

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

It really is an classic and it will be remembered for ever I guess... Thanks for your review!!!

[phoenixtroy]

amazing! sadly my lego skill doesn't allow me to create such masterpieces.

[bonox]

i've ordered a dozen future car 70x28 wheels to try with this, hoping the size won't be too different to the 68.8. I've also got a couple of 68.8x40 and x36 balloons to try as well, since they look pretty good on Ingmar's off highway trucks. I figure I might be able to make up a wheel cover that will hide the 'sports car' nature of the wheels a little. Since I won't be getting around to completing the build for a while, does anyone have thoughts on what it might look like? There are some low profile car type tyres as well that could look interesting on the rear, but they're way too wide for the first and second axles I think.

Edited September 24, 2015 by bonox

[ppleking]

i start this build !! do you have your pdf ! with corection ! i view that the tanks is not in the part list ! does it have some other error !

[bonox]

I'm putting this together at long last but have a question for the suspension: can anyone tell me what the model is like with the 4 hard spring (yellow) shocks at the rear compared to using soft spring variants? It's a heavy model and the lifting axle doesn't contribute to load carrying (doesn't maintain air pressure for long) - will it sit on its haunches with soft springs or maintain some lift?

[Andrea Grazi]

Hi everyone, you will not believe it but I joined only today at Eurobricks ... my english is bad, sorry for all the mistakes I will make.
I did not remember this discussion, today a guy on fb has inserted a link ... and here I am.

This fantastic review has moved me and I am honored with all your compliments!

It's been a few years, it's true, I'm sorry I did not answer before! ...better late than never! Sorry

[AFOLegofan66]

@Andrea Grazi thanks for your amazing model!! I built this a few years back and had to take it apart for parts. It worked like a charm and regret today that I took this apart. Of course I could build it again!!

[Andrea Grazi]

...rebuilding it today would be like going back to prehistoric! 

[suffocation]

What a jaw-dropping MOC this is

I hope the mods leave this thread open - a lot of the building techniques used here are ingenious, even by today's standards.

Also, it's great to see Andrea himself on board now

[grum64]

I'm sure there used to be a video of this incredible build on Youtube but I can't seem to find it now. Does anyone have it or know where I can get it?

[BKu]

Anybody who still have the building instructions? 

All above links are dead

[Mr Ogel]

4 hours ago, BKu said:

Anybody who still have the building instructions? 

All above links are dead

here it is: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-0830/conv-Grazi/tow-truck/#comments

and still avalable!

[Mr Ogel]

and here you find some pictures of the cabling:

https://brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=74562

But it is a pretty expensive MOC for people who don't have 5590 and all technic sets from the 80's and 90's

[BKu]

Thanks for the link. Let me see what I can made out of it. Building as the instructions are is impossible, but maybe it can be adjusted somehow.

[Andrea Grazi]

Hi guys!

I arrived late! You have already answered! Thanks Mr Ogel!

Every now and then this discussion reopens! I am always very happy!

BKu If you need some advice, I'm available !!!!
My TOW TRUCK is now a dinosaur, now it's just about RC!
But I believe that building it is always pleasant, apart from the pneumatic circuit, even simple!

[Blakbird]

Wow, this brings back memories.  I think this one of the first sets of instructions I ever made (and it shows).

[BKu]

Well, let me see what I can make out of it.

[Mr Ogel]

On 1/26/2022 at 5:44 PM, Andrea Grazi said:

My TOW TRUCK is now a dinosaur, now it's just about RC!

 

Dinosaur or not. I checked the instructions and it is a goold old technic brick creations - very nicely done.

If I would build it I would need to replace some stuff luckilyI have most of the technic parts from the sets of that time.

But one question first - are the smaller tires also fitting: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=32019#T=C ? Or are they looking too small?

I also just saw 5571 on BL where tires were replaced with the vintage tires 3740 24 x 43 Technic, Solid - https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=3740#T=C

What is your tip?

[lcvisser]

The smaller tires don’t fit: the rear suspension doesn’t provide enough ground clearance for those. 

[Mr Ogel]

10 minutes ago, ludovisser said:

The smaller tires don’t fit: the rear suspension doesn’t provide enough ground clearance for those. 

thanks for info

[Andrea Grazi]

Hi Eric!!!  

I can't thank you enough for creating those instructions, I'm still very honored!

It would be a good time to write another MOC book, see great things from all over the world! Pawel always "works" like crazy ... and you? 

 

Hi guys, ludovisser is absolutely right, unfortunately the rear suspension is very low! Years ago with € 150/170 you bought a used 5571, by buying two you already had a good starting point, today unfortunately it costs a lot even used!