Fresh Ideas
Posted by rock99rock,
There have been so many great additions to the LEGO Ideas site these past few weeks that I felt obliged to put another article up. Take a look below and see if you feel the same way!
Lamborghini Veneno Roadster
Is the LEGO Modular theme too expensive for your wallet? LEGO Ideas member CHILTECH has you covered. With his Ideas submission, you can get a taste of that modular feel in a smaller package.
It is entirely possible that you missed this beauty on the Ideas site as it passed you with a top speed of 355kmph/220mph, and reaching 100kmph/60mph in under 3 seconds. That’s entirely okay though, not all of us can afford a Hypercar. This model was unveiled by Lamborghini in 2013, though probably they could have unveiled it another 20 years from now and it would still look futuristic. LEGO Ideas user Firas_supercar has taken the daunting task of trying to recreate this beauty and her unforgiving angles and forms in LEGO form.
Initially, some of the “bending” of the bricks in the hood used to help for the curvature makes me cringe a bit. It’s certainly not something LEGO would do if they were to create this beauty. I understand that the creator was limited in their selection of bricks for recreating the vehicle curves, but some of the LEGO purists would not settle for placing LEGO bricks in an unnatural position. Other than that, this model is a beauty. The billionaire doors even go like this || or even more like this \ / and not like this =. It is similar in scale to the upcoming F40, and would look so sweet next to it.
- PROS: Well Represents The Original, Great Angles and Features
- CONS: Some Elements On Hood in Unnatural Position
Velociraptor Skull
With exception to my first article supporting the UCS Dawn of Justice Batmobile, I generally now steer clear of any LEGO Ideas projects of which LEGO already possesses the proper licenses to manufacture toys with the other IP. There’s just too many signs pointing towards “this will not be an approved LEGO Ideas project”. I will continue this stance until I am proven otherwise.
This slightly avoids all the hoopla that is the LEGO Jurassic World franchise (of which by the way, there are 22 submissions mentioning Jurassic World), but can still feed off that energy. This is a fine example of something that can be educational, or even inspirational. I would like to build this and have it sit on my desk at work so I can appear to be worldly and cultured. It appears to have 300-400 pieces, and comes with a stand and supports. The story of how Thommy92 decided to make this is pretty cool. He wanted a skull, but saw that real ones and even cast ones were really expensive. 3D printing might have worked, but is also expensive if you do not already own a 3D printer. LEGO it was!
- PROS: Grand Appeal, Educational, Conversation Starter
- CONS: None.
Chevrolet Bel Air
What is this, a car blog? I know, two vehicles, but what can you say? She’s a beaut! My father’s first car was a ‘55 Chevy, and he would LOVE this model.
The lines are unmistakable, and that teal color just pays homage to what is one of the most iconic early American muscle cars. It’s no fault of the designer, but this car just screams for some chrome pieces to really bring that grill, bumper, and trim to life. The police and taxi color schemes are nice additions to this proposed project. The only things I would change are the headlights and the wheel locations. The headlights were prominently circular in the front and should continue this tradition in the LEGO model. The wheels seem to be tucked too far under the fenders. If they were flush with the edge of the body, the car would feel a bit more fluid.
- PROS: Iconic American Classic Car, Nicely Contrasts Existing Car Models
- CONS: Wheel Position, Headlights
LAX Theme Building
When I first saw this model, I had no doubt what the building was and where it was located. The Theme Building has a storied history, and deserves its place among the other Architecture Theme buildings.
With so few pieces (341) there's little to critique LEGO Ideas submitter Eiffleman with on this build. After seeing his name I’m sure some of you noticed just like I did after writing it, that Eiffleman was featured in our last article for his Arc De Triomphe submission, so congratulations to Eiffleman for being the first LEGO Ideas user to have two submissions featured by Brickset. The arches are beautifully done, and use clear pieces to appear slim while also providing rigidity. Using the tank track to replicate the look of the screened wall was brilliantly well done.
- PROS: Recognizable, Interesting Use of Elements
- CONS: None
Toyota Landcruiser 40 Series
3 vehicles? 3? Ok, ok. Might as well call this the “Special Vehicle Edition” because yes, I have featured three earth-bound vehicles. The details of this Landcruiser really caught my eye, and I could not help but to share it with you.
Not too unlike the Bel Air, this Toyota has some great history behind it and deserves a chance at the LEGO spotlight. This model has incredible details inside and out, all paying respects to the original. The way that LEGO Ideas submitter Matthew Inman was able to capture the angles, details and spirit of the Landcruiser is fantastic. I honestly can’t find fault with it, can any of you 40 Series fanatics see any? All the parts are scaled together so well. The picture with the Mini and VW Van helps it to really stand out.
- PROS: Recognizable, Interesting Use of Elements
- CONS: None
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22 comments on this article
That Bel Air looks kind of off in the front, like it's too narrow or something, but that's my favorite.
Are large sets generally always shot down immediately? Is there any chance for a set like the Toyota to happen?
I really like that model but I do not know if the really nice model will not be accepted because of its size.
^ That thought has crossed my mind. It's nearly in the same boat for me as existing license submissions, as all large(r) sets that have passed the 10k vote requirement have not been accepted by TLG. The accepted projects part count has ranged from 165-580 for the Ideas theme, and has been mostly consistent at that 400-500 range. It makes me wonder if there is some sort of internal rule for this theme. I hope that LEGO takes a chance at some of these higher part count projects soon as they are really missing out on some potentially great retail sets.
Yeah, totally put me down for one of those Velociraptor skulls. That looks great!
The proportions on that Bel Air aren't right in my opinion unless it's trying to be a chopper. The dome needs more height. Good concept though. The Landcruiser must happen! Perfect subject for LEGO, very recognizable, very well done initial model. The Theme building is phenomenal and I want those flower pieces in standard green immediately. The Veneno I'd like if it was an original silver hardtop :D As for the 'raptor skull, I feel like anything of that sort needs to be part of a series, or a multiple-in-one set with parts to build multiple species.
Agreed--get some chrome on that Chevy and I'm sold!
Does anyone have contact info for Eiffelman?
His model of the LAX Theme building is quite remarkable, and I would like to get his permission to feature his work on http://thebrickarchitect.com
I have 'supported' the skull, it's quite a nice piece, and would look great on display. Who is not a fan of dinosaurs!?
Still. Only a few hundred votes into its 10,000 needed for consideration, so if you like it, vote for it!
@rock99rock. Another interesting LEGO IDEAS article, but I think you are probably being a bit generous with your CONS. I had already supported all the vehicles mentioned, but since LEGO now has an ongoing large vehicle as part of the yearly production cycle, it is unlikely any large car will pass the review? I am sure supporting may push them closer to being considered next, but that is probably all? The size and cost is also probably going to stand against them? (It is a real shame, as I do like all three). The LAX Theme Building falls within an existing theme, which is a con? The skull has no real playability and probably needs some structural changes? (The creator has posted the LDD file, so perhaps someone at Brickset could build it and test it?). Even if that all sounds negative I still enjoyed the article and the picks. Thank you. : )
The raptor skull looks awesome.
I just cat see where the "bending" of bricks occurs on the Lamborghini hood. Am I going mad?
I agree with SavetheBrick. The Lego Ideas website states: Please keep in mind that a project based on an existing LEGO license has a smaller chance of passing the LEGO Review than other projects.
@theJANG
Rather than a series of skulls, how about the entire velociraptor skeleton? How cool would that be?
Incidentally, are you Jang of Janbricks on Youtube? Jangbricks' set reviews are, without doubt, the best online video reviews.
I'm not terribly fond of the Chevy, but the rest are very nice. I would totally buy that Lamborghini model with a redesigned hood.
Just got through supporting the Land Cruiser. I'm a big fan of the Land Cruiser and have the Matchbox model.
As for the Bel Air, blech!
@SavetheBrick @ericjohn - I am being generous with my cons on purpose, else it just seems I'm being entirely to negative in an article where I am trying to garner support for these early submissions. Some models have a glaring issue to me, and I am more than happy to point them out. There will always be opinions like yours of what else should be a CON, as everyone builds LEGO different.
Now, just because a project falls within an existing theme, a CON it does not become. It is only when a project is based on an existing LICENSE (Star Wars, Ferrari, Big Bang Theory, etc) where it will receive the smaller chance, not THEME (Advanced Models, City, Architecture). Also, see my comment towards the top about larger sets.
Your argument against the skull seems off too, considering how well the static bird display has done in the Ideas theme. No accepted Idea has ever gone from project to retail without LEGO manipulating the set to their liking and standards, so if the model needs some structural changes, I'm sure they will take care of it. Thank you for pointing out that the designer is sharing the LDD file, time to go play with it :)
@rock99rock – Just to clarify I liked all the picks and supported them all. (Most I had already supported before reading the article). I enjoyed the article and I got to know the projects a bit better because of it. I wasn’t trying to be negative, apologises if you thought I was. I have no personal argument against any of the projects, just trying to ask questions based on what might be the LEGO company perspective. You are doing a great job and we need all the help we can get. Thank you. : )
@SavetheBrick - I completely understand, I was just giving you a bit of insight as to how I make my choices. It's not in any way reflective of Brickset as a whole nor all the other contributors. We just have no idea what the LEGO company perspective is other than their "Please keep in mind that a project based on an existing LEGO license has a smaller chance of passing the LEGO Review than other projects" statement. Anything beyond that is open game as far as I can tell.
@rock99rock I appreciate the Silicon Valley reference.
57 would be nicer if they had used round 2x2 trans pieces for the headlights. Square headlights on a 57 does not work IMO. Also looks like the 'chrome tips' on the fenders are going to stab someone.
@Schmidt I was hoping someone would pick up on it :)
I just posted some additional images of the LAX Theme Building which were provided by LEGO Artist Eiffleman (Grant Passmore), along with some history of the building, a builder bio and some quotes from the artist:
http://thebrickarchitect.com/2015/lax-theme-building/
I'm hoping to post an in-depth look at great LEGO Architecture projects every week, so check back again soon.