MOC: A few more minifig scale American vehicles

[Ralph_S]

In the last few days I've continued to build minifig scale vehicles, building three new ones. I don't want to reveal too much, but they are intended for a large collaborative display (with an American theme) at The Great Western LEGO show 2009 in Swindon in the UK in early October.

The first (and probably nicest) is a flatbed recovery truck.

The loading mechanism actually works.

There's been an influx of vehicles that are an odd number of studs wide on eurobricks in the last few months and I'd like to think that I was a big part of that. This vehicle also contains many sections that are an odd number of studs wide.

The second vehicle is a US 'flatnose' truck. Most American trucks have so-called torpedo noses, but some have a similar arrangement to that most common in Europe, with the cab sitting on top of the engine. Of course LEGO produce quite a few of these for their city line, but those somehow look very European. I wanted one that looked American, even though it isn't necessarily the most attractive.

The third car I built is a lot simpler. it is five studs wide and is supposed to represent a generic 'seventies American muscle car.

Finally a shot of all three together:

Tell me what you think.

Cheers,

Ralph

[Rick]

The first (and probably nicest) is a flatbed recovery truck.

I agree, the loading mechanism is a really nice feature.

There's been an influx of vehicles that are an odd number of studs wide on eurobricks in the last few months and I'd like to think that I was a big part of that. This vehicle also contains many sections that are an odd number of studs wide.

You definitely were the main instigator.

I wanted one that looked American, even though it isn't necessarily the most attractive.

Those two concepts go hand-in-hand (Just kidding Americans)

Nice job.

The third car I built is a lot simpler. it is five studs wide and is supposed to represent a generic 'seventies American muscle car.

Nice build, but I don't really see a mean muscle car in it, but perhaps that has more to do with my mental image of a muscle car.

[prateek]

I really like the yellow car. I like how you made the hood scoop

[Rick]

I really like the yellow car. I like how you made the hood scoop

I didn't even notice that! Very subtle indeed.

[BlueBard]

Magnificent vehicles as usual, RalphS The recovery truck is really wonderful

[Ralph_S]

The first (and probably nicest) is a flatbed recovery truck.

I agree, the loading mechanism is a really nice feature.

I always like to add a bit of functionality and in this case, the small scale is a huge advantage, because straightforward hinges can do the job rather than some more complicated (Technic) construction.

There's been an influx of vehicles that are an odd number of studs wide on eurobricks in the last few months and I'd like to think that I was a big part of that. This vehicle also contains many sections that are an odd number of studs wide.

You definitely were the main instigator.

Thanks.

I wanted one that looked American, even though it isn't necessarily the most attractive.

Those two concepts go hand-in-hand (Just kidding Americans)

Nice job.

The third car I built is a lot simpler. it is five studs wide and is supposed to represent a generic 'seventies American muscle car.

Nice build, but I don't really see a mean muscle car in it, but perhaps that has more to do with my mental image of a muscle car.

Different people have different understandings of what a musclecar is. I was thinking about the sort of vehicles they had in the late sixties, early seventies; little different from a full size family car but with a wild paintjob and huge engine. You may be thinking of something that looks a bit more 'muscular' too, like a Challenger.

I really like the yellow car. I like how you made the hood scoop

Thanks. At first it had just a black stripe running down the length of the hood, but I had plenty of space for something a bit more creative.

Magnificent vehicles as usual, RalphS The recovery truck is really wonderful

Thanks. I'm glad you like them. I am really enjoying building them and there'll undoubtedly be a few more before October!

Cheers,

Ralph

[ACCURATEin]

The frequency between your batches of vehicles is picking up in speed! Yet another good set of creations. Is there any chance that the ambulance and flatbed that i've posted served as inspiration for you?!

Nice work!

[samthelegoman1]

I like the muscle car!

[Ralph_S]

The frequency between your batches of vehicles is picking up in speed! Yet another good set of creations. Is there any chance that the ambulance and flatbed that i've posted served as inspiration for you?!

Nice work!

I can't say I remember a flatbed truck, but that doesn't mean I didn't see it. I suspect my main inspiration for it was one of my own older models though. i built a 1/22 scale flat bed recover vehicle years ago. It's still on <a href=http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=128727>brickshelf</a>. I've always liked US ambulances and I do remember yours. I can't say I was specifically thinking about it when building mine, but with hindsight I realise they are quite similar vehicles.

I like the muscle car!

Thanks.

Cheers,

Ralph

[5150 Lego]

The second vehicle is a US 'flatnose' truck. Most American trucks have so-called torpedo noses, but some have a similar arrangement to that most common in Europe, with the cab sitting on top of the engine. Of course LEGO produce quite a few of these for their city line, but those somehow look very European. I wanted one that looked American, even though it isn't necessarily the most attractive.

First off, great mocs. I especaily like your flat bed. The working bed is icing on the cake for an already great design.

As for your coment on American trucks not being the most attractive,.. I'd agree 100%, but only when it comes to flat nose trucks. European trucks defenatly have the edge of their American counterparts. The mighty Scania trucks of europe are some of the most beautiful trucks in the world.

[ACCURATEin]

I also meant to tell you the green on the tow truck reminds me of this famous towing company based out of Chicago. They have a show on SPEEDTV that I like to watch. I forget the name of the company. They have all sorts of trucks, big and small.

[Ralph_S]

First off, great mocs. I especaily like your flat bed. The working bed is icing on the cake for an already great design.

As for your coment on American trucks not being the most attractive,.. I'd agree 100%, but only when it comes to flat nose trucks. European trucks defenatly have the edge of their American counterparts. The mighty Scania trucks of europe are some of the most beautiful trucks in the world.

I too was specifically referring to the cab-over-engine type trucks. I do love American torpedo-nose trucks with all their bells and whistles and I also like European trucks, such as Scanias or DAFs and I built a minifig scale version last year.

I also meant to tell you the green on the tow truck reminds me of this famous towing company based out of Chicago. They have a show on SPEEDTV that I like to watch. I forget the name of the company. They have all sorts of trucks, big and small.

Thanks. I am not aware of that show and just chose the colours because I wanted something that stood out a bit. I do have a heavy duty wrecker but in a different colour scheme.

Cheers,

Ralph

[Milan]

Beautiful, as always!

[BillytheKid]

That green truck is good building. , that's all I can say at this moment.