Here's my entry for the TC27 - the physical model is also completed and tested, but I'm stil waiting for the 2x C frames (3167) to arrive (for testing purpose I just 3D printed my own pieces ).

Anyway, I wanted to build something unique and different this time around. I've been thinking of building a motorized lowrider for a while now and this challenge was the perfect excuse to realize it.

With this model I wanted to realize the following functions:

• Motorized suspension
• Steering mechanism connected to the steering wheel
• Working fake engine driven by rear wheels
• Openable (suicide) doors, hood and boot
• Proper, clean and spacious interior

Along with those functions I also managed to squeeze one more additional function, which makes the car a convertable.

Here's the end (digital) result:

So as you can see, it actually uses the correct tires and rims which I think is a good start! Here's how it looks like all opened up - notice the inline 4 fake engine:

 

Here's a look from the rear, showcasing the large rear typical of lowriders, which is also used to house the two BuWizz 2.0 bricks. I took great care to give the model some fins, proper brick-built lights, bumper, exhausts, etc...

Looking at the underside you can see that the L motors are also structural, both axles are designed around them:

And here's how the Driveline, Steering and Suspension system are integrated into the model:

As mentioned before this is also a convertible which means that the roof can be unfolded and raised:

Now for a little of backstory. Originally I tried using PU L motors to make this model a bit more intelligent and capable of holding the wheel suspension positions automacally. Unfortunately PU motors have a very sensitive current protection and were simply not capable of holding the weight of the car even though I'm using shock absorbers to help carry weight. Worth mentioning is also that suspension arms are shorter in the rear to compensate for extra weight. I could have added extra gearing, but that would make the model even bigger and suspension slower. So I took some L motors I had laying around from the Go-Kart project and used them in place of PU ones. Thanks to their shorter size I even gained some additional space and reduced complexity. During testing I decided to double up the BuWizz bricks. I did that for two reasons, first to increase the weight in the back for higher front bounces and secondly to supply the needed power to actuate 4L motor at maximum speed at the same time (each motor draws some 2 Amps when stalled in Ludicrous mode).

I hope that's enough details and media for now, I will post photos of the real deal once I get the missing parts and I will of course record a proper video.

This looks great so far, I'm excited to see how the motorised suspension works in the final version.

It's a great looking model. The rules allow one battery box, are you planning to remove the second one? 

8 hours ago, BusterHaus said:

It's a great looking model. The rules allow one battery box, are you planning to remove the second one? 

You're right, totally missed that... Welp, back to the drawing board...

I replaced the front PF L motors with the PU L ones and the whole model is now using a single BuWizz 3.0 in place of 2x 2.0 units. Even though PU L motors overheat faster than PF ones, I was able to record this quick and dirty teaser:

Super cool! I can't quite tell from the gif, but it looks like the suspension readjusts itself to its previous position- did you do that manually or have you somehow made a script?

25 minutes ago, Aurorasaurus said:

Super cool! I can't quite tell from the gif, but it looks like the suspension readjusts itself to its previous position- did you do that manually or have you somehow made a script?

Thank your for the praise. It readjusts thanks to the shock absorber which is supporting most of the weight, so a purely mechanical solution.

3 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

Thank your for the praise. It readjusts thanks to the shock absorber which is supporting most of the weight, so a purely mechanical solution.

Ahh, I forgot about the shock absorbers. That makes more sense.

12 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

I was able to record this quick and dirty tease

impressive

This is the most functionally unique model I've seen in this contest!(without mine)

That’s a cool model, glad we’re getting some entries that aren’t large trucks. Very impressed by how you’ve managed to package that all in such a small space. I see from your gif that you have the usual problem with a convertible and a bit of flex in the chassis around the door aperture.

2 hours ago, Seasider said:

That’s a cool model, glad we’re getting some entries that aren’t large trucks. Very impressed by how you’ve managed to package that all in such a small space. I see from your gif that you have the usual problem with a convertible and a bit of flex in the chassis around the door aperture.

Thanks for the praise. Indeed, you can see body bend and flex a bit in the slow motion video, the lack of a tructural support roof is quite visible. But I actually like it that way, it's more realistic and dramatic!

Long time lurker but never felt the need to to comment until today, that gif made me chuckle.

Great model, very impressing, looking forward to watch the video.

I rarely sign into my account, (still lurk on occasion). But just signed in to say how much i love what you've done with this creation. 

My favourite part besides the looks of this thing, (reminds me of an Impala), is the flex of the bodywork in that slo-mo vid. It looks so authentic!  It's exactly the kind of flex you'd expect to see of the real thing, if it were 1:1 scale and made of metal. 

Only thing i would change is the colour of the windscreen frame to LBG. But that's just my personal taste, and can appreciate that if you did it may not go as well with the colour of the folding roof.  

3 hours ago, Popy Fresco said:

Long time lurker but never felt the need to to comment until today, that gif made me chuckle.

Great model, very impressing, looking forward to watch the video.

 

2 hours ago, Dazzzy said:

I rarely sign into my account, (still lurk on occasion). But just signed in to say how much i love what you've done with this creation. 

My favourite part besides the looks of this thing, (reminds me of an Impala), is the flex of the bodywork in that slo-mo vid. It looks so authentic!  It's exactly the kind of flex you'd expect to see of the real thing, if it were 1:1 scale and made of metal. 

Only thing i would change is the colour of the windscreen frame to LBG. But that's just my personal taste, and can appreciate that if you did it may not go as well with the colour of the folding roof.  

I'm really happy I managed to catch not one, but two new lurkers , thanks for the praise!

I just received the missing parts, so I will record a video in the upcoming days.

Yes, the windscreen color is tricky, but I decided to go black, since the 45° brick holding it is also black.

Looking really good so far.

The model has been succesfully finished and recorded.

Here are specifications of the physical model:

• Built out of 912 pieces
• Weighs around 850 grams
• 40 x 14,5 x 11 cm when totally raised
• Powered by 2x PU L and 2x PF L motors
• Controlled by a single BuWizz 3.0 in the boot

So here she is in all of its physical glory:

With everything opened up:

Being a proper convertible, the roof can be raised:

Rear view showing the suspension in action, the rear bumper and the exhausts:

And same view, but with the suspension flipped - front lowered and the rear raised:

And here's a video showcasing all the features and functions:

I'm really happy with how it turned out, I tried hard to keep the design in a sweet spot between aesthetics, features, functionality and robustness and it shows.

As usual, there is an LDD file of the model available for study here:

https://bricksafe.com/files/Zblj/tc27-lowrider/Lowrider PF%2BPU.lxf

And to finish off I would just like to thank to @Jim for organizing these competitions, having some fixed rules really inspires me to be creative, to think out of box and design stuff I usually wouldn't.

EDIT: Jim, is there a way you can unlock the entry topic?

Edited July 12, 2024Jul 12 by Zerobricks

Man! How couldja make such densely-packed awesome builds! 🔥

43 minutes ago, Zerobricks said:

And here's a video showcasing all the features and functions:

There is a lot of vehicular abuse in your video 

I love it, its a cute size and it moves just like some excited little animal. During your video, when you showed the driveline, the chain of 4 8t gears made me laugh, its not something you could typically get away with. And the solution at the rear wheels for getting drive is really clever.

Very nice progress.