Tag Archives: lego

Lisbon’s Iconic Bica Funicular Railway gets a stunning 2997-brick LEGO recreation

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Anyone who’s visited Portugal has undoubtedly encountered the Ascendor da Bica… either in person or through a postcard, a fridge magnet, or perhaps a tourist recommendation. The Ascendor da Bica is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a vibrant thread woven into the fabric of Lisbon’s identity. Christened “The Bica Funicular,” it scales the steep hills of the Bica district with a unique charm. LEGO builder Peter_Designs’ creation reflects this spirit faithfully. The tram itself is a marvel of LEGO engineering, built at a 20.5-degree angle to mirror the real tram’s ingenious solution to conquer Lisbon’s challenging topography. This intricate build utilizes 2997 pieces (with 773 being dedicated to the cart alone), ensuring not only structural stability but also a remarkably accurate representation of the tram’s distinctive design.

Designer: Peter_Designs

The set extends beyond the meticulously crafted tram, offering a delightful recreation of the surrounding cityscape. With a staggering 2224 pieces dedicated just to the scenery, the build incorporates colorful buildings in a style reminiscent of Lisbon’s architecture. A detailed platform completes the scene, providing the perfect stage to display the tram in all its glory. The total piece count reaches a substantial 2997, promising a rewarding and immersive building experience for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.

But the Ascensor da Bica’s appeal transcends its impressive brickwork. This set offers a unique opportunity to add a historical landmark with a touch of whimsy to your LEGO world. Imagine this iconic tram, painstakingly recreated in LEGO form, gracefully navigating the slopes of your existing LEGO City. The set even includes functional tracks, allowing you to integrate the tram seamlessly into your cityscape and transport minifigures (not included) on a scenic journey, just like their real-life counterparts.

Peter_Designs’ motivation behind this creation is evident – a love for Lisbon and a passion for LEGO. Their design choices reflect a deep appreciation for the city’s charm and the Ascensor da Bica’s undeniable appeal. Whether you’ve had the pleasure of wandering Lisbon’s cobbled streets and marveling at the Bica Funicular, or simply dream of visiting this vibrant city someday, this set offers a delightful way to celebrate Portugal’s rich heritage and experience the magic of Lisbon from the comfort of your home.

The Ascensor da Bica LEGO Ideas project is currently in the crucial stage of garnering support from the LEGO community. With enough votes from passionate LEGO enthusiasts like yourself, this little piece of Lisbon could become a reality for LEGO fans worldwide. Imagine gifting this set to a friend who has fond memories of Lisbon, or displaying it proudly in your home – a constant reminder of the beauty and ingenuity that LEGO bricks can bring to life! Head down to the LEGO Ideas website if you want to vote for the LEGO Ascensor da Bica.

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Official LEGO Jaws set commemorates 50 years of Steven Spielberg’s legendary movie

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LEGO Ideas has materialized the imagination of sports fans, motorheads, superhero fans, and everything else in between. The pure joy of putting together an intricate LEGO set has made it a collector’s passion to adorn living room shelves with their favorite creations. The latest addition to the LEGO Ideas universe is the famous Jaws movie set.

As a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic movie coming up in 2025, LEGO has introduced this interesting set well in advance. The 1,497-pice set is designed by Johnny Campbell, depicting the famous scene where the vicious shark is chasing down the Orca boat. police chief Martin Brody, biologist Matt Hooper, and sailor Sam Quint minifigures can be seen trying to fend off the big shark as it takes a big chunk of the boat stern.

Designer: LEGO

Like all times LEGO Ideas doesn’t miss all the important details for this nostalgic set. Elements like the boat’s cabin with removable roof, adjustable boom and rigging, revolver, compass, harpoon, spear, fishing rod and yellow barrels. The set has a large base that depicts the turbulent waters on which the epic scene is recreated in full glory. Movie fans will instantly recognize the printed quote by Chief Brody “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” on the front side of the base. Alternatively, you can also choose to put together the set with the huge monster on a stand and the ship in one piece.

According to Jhonny, the JAWS movie is his favorite and now realizing it as an official LEGO set is a dream come true. The set came together after freeze-framing the famous scene and then analyzing the finer details to design all the pieces. He added that he can’t wait to see it in a LEGO shop and see someone buying it. For LEGO Insiders the set will be available from 3 July 2024 and others can get their hands on it from 6th August 2024. Priced at $150, this one is surely going to adorn countless shelves and desk setups.

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10 Best LEGO Pop Culture Sets For Collectors

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If you are a lover of pop culture, and your personal space is adorned with Pokémon, Star Wars, Marvel, or Mario-themed products and devices, then, well you’re at the right spot. Because we’re gonna take it up a notch for you and introduce you to some pop-culture-based LEGO builds. We’ve curated some of our favorite pop culture LEGO builds for you to try building by yourself! From a LEGO version of the Brooklyn 99 show to a LEGO variant of Harry Potter’s Sorting Hat – these LEGO builds are complete collector’s items for pop culture lovers.

1. LEGO Downton Abbey Set

LEGO builder BRO3 created a dedicated LEGO set for the historical drama series Downton Abbey to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary. The LEGO Ideas Downton Abbey set is extremely detailed, featuring the old Highclere Castle, as well as the expansive Crawley family including the butlers and the castle caretakers who make up the main cast of the show. The built has been designed with incredible attention to detail, and it includes multiple rooms, and at least 15 minifigures – 16 if you count the dog Pharaoh. It even includes Lady Mary’s bench!

2. LEGO Godzilla

Created by the LEGO builder Matthew Esposito, the LEGO version of Godzilla is the first LEGO Godzilla, despite almost ten or more movies coming out. The LEGO build is a small-scale variant of the city-destroying reptile, and it is inspired by the ‘King of Monsters’ Godzilla’ (from the 2019 movie). The Godzilla is only a few inches tall, featuring a hefty body and long tail. It can even blow blue flames in all directions.

3. LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

LEGO builder Teljesnegyzet created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a LEGO-based action figure set. The LEGO Ideas TMNT kit accurately represents the four turtles in their superhero garb. The set includes turtles in their four colored bandanas and bands, with their own weapons of choice. The turtles have a belt with their initials labeled on the buckle, and they have been color-matched to their originals, and display four shades of green.

4. Sorting Hat

The LEGO Group has launched another cool Harry Potter-based build – meet the LEGO version of the Sorting Hat! It is a dedicated LEGO variant that includes a hidden sound box that emits loud and randomized phrases in English, which we’ve all surely heard before. The hat is 9.5 inches tall, and 7.5 diameters in length, and you can showcase it proudly on a stand with Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw house symbols on it.

5. LEGO Barad-dûr

The new LEGO set- themed on Barad-dûr, Sauron’s iconic stronghold is a must-have for the Lord of the Rings fans. It is a build consisting of 5471 pieces and is topped with the Eye of Sauron, which is the disembodied eye that overlooks his evil domain. It includes four main sections – a prison, an armory, a throne room, and a kitchen. Users can also get a complementary 269-piece Fell beast set, with wings for the flying creature and the Nazul Minifigure.

6. LEGO Portal 2 Gun

The gun from Portal 2 doesn’t exist in real life, but Hooded-Blaze built this gun to be a perfect replica of the cyberpunk quantum gadget from the game. The Portal 2 Quantum Tunneling Device is built entirely from LEGO bricks and includes its own stand. It also has the ability to alternate between shooting orange or blue tunnels, much like the game. How cool is this build?!

7. LEGO Kung Fu Panda

A LEGO Kung Fu Panda from the first movie in the franchise was submitted to the LEGO Ideas Forum. The super cute Po is equipped with a dragon scroll and a bowl of noodles, and he performs the epic Wixu Finger Hold as well! The brick panda is equipped with a completely positionable body with movable hands, legs, head, fingers, and even eyebrows! Po also has a jiggling belly that bounces if you touch it.

8. The LEGO® Ideas 21348 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Red Dragon’s Tale

LEGO has finally combined with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS to mark DND’s 50th anniversary, creating The LEGO® Ideas 21348 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Red Dragon’s Tale. It is a 3745-piece playable box set designed by LEGO-builder Lucas Bolt and was initially submitted to LEGO’s Ideas forum, where LEGO’s internal team selected it and converted it into this stunning set, featuring a tavern, mysterious dungeon, and a tall wizard’s tower. It also includes a massive Cinderhowl, a menacing red dragon as well.

9. LEGO Brooklyn 99

Brooklyn 99 will always be hands down my favorite TV show ever, so when LEGO builder Ben Fakhauser created an adorable build for it, I was super excited. The LEGO creation includes the entire 99th precinct – all the rooms and characters as well! The precise and intricate build contains everything – from the bullpen to the captain’s office, even the printer room! Important aspects of the precinct floors were incorporated, and even secret details like Holt’s pet corgi Cheddar were recreated too!

10. LEGO Seven Dwarf’s Cottage

Say hello to this cute LEGO version of the Seven Dwarf’s Cottage from the iconic Disney movie – Snow White. The fascinating build is made using 2228 pieces, and 10 mini figurines. The build is created with a lot of attention to detail and reminds you of all the interesting and lovely bits of the table. The set also features Snow White’s glass coffin, the Evil Queen with the forbidden red apple, the Prince, and the Seven Dwarfs.

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LEGO launches detailed C3PO kit to mark 25 Years of collaboration with the Star Wars franchise

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Earlier this year, LEGO revised their R2D2 model and honestly, my first reaction was to ask ‘why?’ The new R2D2 was smaller than the original, and it seems its reason was so that LEGO could debut a scale-matching C3PO to complete the set. Its 15-inch build matches the R2D2 perfectly, so you can pair them together on a mantelpiece and create the iconic duo. The LEGO C3PO build also marks 25 years since LEGO and the Star Wars franchise first collaborated together. The first-ever collab between the two behemoths was back in 1999, when LEGO released a X-wing fighter model alongside the launch of the Phantom Menace movie. Two and a half decades later, their partnership is still going strong, with multiple builds (and even LEGO movies) to mark the successful partnership.

Designer: LEGO

Standing at over 15 inches (38 centimeters) tall, the C-3PO droid is constructed from a staggering 1,138 LEGO pieces. The intricate design captures every iconic detail of the character, from his golden plating and expressive head to his posable arms that can be adjusted to recreate classic poses. Fans can relive their favorite Star Wars moments by turning C-3PO’s head or making him gesture with his arms.

The entire build comes with a C3PO minifigure, a plaque with C3PO’s stats, and a small poster commemorating 25 years of LEGO Start Wars

Standing at over 15 inches (38 centimeters) tall, the C-3PO droid is constructed from a staggering 1,138 LEGO pieces. The intricate design captures every iconic detail of the character, from his golden plating and expressive head to his posable arms that can be adjusted to recreate classic poses. Fans can relive their favorite Star Wars moments by turning C-3PO’s head or making him gesture with his arms.

This isn’t a completely static display model either. The C-3PO figure features a posable head and arms, allowing you to recreate classic poses from the Star Wars saga. There’s even a fun detail for die-hard fans – one of the arms can be repositioned to mimic C-3PO’s well-known gesture of patting R2-D2 on the head.

The set comes complete with a display stand featuring an information plaque about C-3PO and a spot for the included C-3PO minifigure. To top it all off, a special LEGO Star Wars 25th-anniversary brick is included, adding a touch of collectability.

The LEGO Star Wars C-3PO (75398) is priced at US$139.99, and is now available for pre-order, with deliveries commencing August 1st, 2024.

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LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figurines are fully articulated and can eat pizzas and fight crime

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Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Sure, your first instinct is to think of the famed sculptors and painters of the Italian Renaissance… but for a very specific generation, these names conjured up images of four turtles, fighting crime while snacking on NY slices in their sewer bunkers. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were an absolute craze in the 80s and 90s, rivaling He-Man, GI Joe, and the Transformers for air-time on television. The premise, absurd at best, but it resonated wonderfully with a section of pre-teens and teens looking for something to validate their sense of rebellion. Four vigilante turtles, mutated to have humanoid characteristics, fought crime on the streets of NY using only an eclectic blend of martial arts and martial weapons. LEGO builder Teljesnegyzet decided to give these crime-fighting creatures their very own LEGO-based action figure set. Behold the LEGO Ideas TMNT kit, a rather accurate representation of the four turtles in their superhero garb. The set features the turtles in their four colored bandanas and bands, with their weapons of choice. Each turtle has a belt with their initials labeled on the buckle, and they’re even color-matched to their originals, showcasing four shades of green!

Designer: Teljesnegyzet

The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles burst onto the scene in the late 1980s, captivating audiences with their unique blend of action, humor, and teenage angst. The concept revolved around four anthropomorphic turtles, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo, trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter. Together, they battled the villainous Shredder and his Foot Clan in the sewers of New York City, fueled by their love for pizza.

The LEGO Ideas MOC (My Own Creation) captures the essence of the classic TMNT characters. The concept features buildable figures of all four turtles, each equipped with their signature weapons. Leonardo wields his katanas, Raphael his sai, Donatello his bo staff, and Michelangelo his nunchakus. While official build instructions aren’t available, judging from similar LEGO minifigure designs, we can expect the figures to stand around 4-5 inches tall and feature a range of articulation points for dynamic posing. Designer Teljesnegyzet does mention that the entire superhero quartet takes about 2522 bricks in total, which makes it a fairly complex build, but then again, nobody under the age of 20 will probably even remember the TMNT craze, right? (Not even the atrocious 2014 film with Megan Fox)

Teljesnegyzet’s fan-made build currently sits on the LEGO Ideas forum, an online community where LEGO enthusiasts gather to share their creations and vote for their favorites. With just over 1,700 votes, Teljesnegyzet’s MOC is looking to gradually hit the coveted 10,000 vote mark, following which LEGO’s internal team may turn it into a box-set that anyone can buy. You can vote for the LEGO Ideas Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle set on the LEGO Ideas website here.

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This LEGO Rolex Submariner Is A Masterpiece for Luxury Watch and LEGO Fans

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The vision behind this LEGO project was to create a stylish art model tailored to a sophisticated adult audience. Surprisingly, the realm of luxury mechanical wristwatches remained unexplored in the LEGO universe. The Rolex Submariner, with its iconic status and unparalleled cachet in pop culture, emerged as the perfect candidate for this venture.

Designer: LEGO + ROLEX

The robust and angular aesthetic of the Submariner’s “super” case design seamlessly translated into the LEGO system. This transformation resulted in an impressive and eye-catching exhibition piece, perfect for display in a home study or office.

The gold Rolex Submariner is a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Introduced as a premium variant of the classic dive watch, it embodies both robust functionality and opulent design. Originally launched in 1969, the gold Submariner combined Rolex’s innovative diving technology with a striking gold finish, appealing to those who sought both performance and prestige. Over the years, it has evolved with enhancements in materials, movement, and design, maintaining its status as an icon in the world of horology.

Design Features and Functions

The LEGO Rolex Submariner boasts several distinctive design features, including:

  • Signed Brevet Crown: This detail captures the signature element of the Submariner, highlighting its luxury heritage.
  • Functional Rotating Bezel: A fully operational bezel that replicates the functionality of the real Submariner.
  • Gilt “Mercedes” Hour Hand: The iconic hour hand, meticulously recreated to reflect the original design.
  • Sword Minute and Lollipop Second Hands: These hands add to the authenticity, ensuring that every minute detail is accounted for.
  • Luminous Applied Indices: Using glow-in-the-dark LEGO pieces, the model mimics the luminescent markers of the actual watch.
  • Date Window: An accurately positioned date window adds to the realism of the model.

This model, with its 1,622 pieces, perfectly showcases how design and engineering come together, highlighting both brands’ dedication to craftsmanship and innovation.

Visual Appeal

The detailed construction of the LEGO Rolex Submariner captures its stunning attention to detail and faithful recreation of the original timepiece. The combination of gold and black elements, along with the intricate design of the bezel and bracelet, highlights the luxurious feel of the Submariner while celebrating the playful creativity inherent in LEGO constructions.

A LEGO Rolex Submariner blends the world of high-end horology with the playful and creative spirit of LEGO. This collaboration pays tribute to an iconic watch while offering a unique building experience that bridges luxury and creativity. The result is a collectible masterpiece that resonates with enthusiasts of both brands.

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ESA’s LEGO-like space bricks made from meteorite dust explore building houses on the Moon

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In sci-fi movies and TV shows, we’ve seen houses or structures built on other planets and on the moon. That’s probably still decades away from actually happening but it doesn’t mean that we can’t start dreaming about it. And those that are actually involved in space things are doing more than just dreaming, they’re actually testing things out to prepare for the possibility. And now we’re getting the first tiny steps into thinking how we can build homes for the astronauts on the moon.

Designer: European Space Agency

The scientists at the ESA have come up with space bricks, similar to the LEGO bricks that a lot of them (and a lot of us) love. The idea is to explore whether the materials found on the moon can actually be used to build houses and other structures. It makes sense to use what’s already there rather than bringing over building materials from earth. The surface there has layers of rocks and mineral fragments called lunar regolith. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of that material here on Earth to actually play around with.

What the scientists did is to grind up 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite (which was found in North Africa 20 years ago) and mix them with some polylactide and regolith stimulant. The mixture was then used to 3D print some bricks in the style of LEGO. Since this is from meteorite, it only comes in “stylish space grey” color. With these bricks, they can test creating some small-scale structures to play around with the possibility of eventually using regolith to build houses on the Moon.

Some of the ESA space bricks will be displayed at selected LEGO stores so kids (and maybe adults) can play around with it. They want to encourage kids to become interested in space and build their own LEGO Moon bases. Seeing bricks that have billions of years materials on it seems like a pretty interesting experience if there’s a LEGO store near you.

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LEGO replica of Pre-War Bentley Blower celebrates the Le Mans racecar’s vintage iconic design

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In the roaring twenties, a spirit of racing innovation coursed through Bentley. Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin, a charismatic Bentley driver, craved more power. Against company founder W.O. Bentley’s wishes, Birkin commissioned a supercharger for the revered 4½ Litre model. This modification, with its prominent belt-driven blower, became the hallmark of the “Blower Bentleys.” Though never achieving Le Mans glory, these machines, particularly the four “Team Blowers,” were renowned for their speed and Birkin’s daring races. Their imposing presence and signature whine cemented their place in automotive history, making the Bentley Blower an icon of pre-war racing elegance and raw power… and now a LEGO set is commemorating their 100th anniversary and their iconic design. Created by LEGO builder ‘N.ik.Le.go.’, the LEGO Ideas Bentley Blower captures the old-world glory of its predecessor, in a scaled-down format that still feels just as beautiful.

Designer: N.ik.Le.go.

Built to a 1:13th scale, this LEGO MOC (My Own Creation) uses 707 bricks, making it fairly uncomplicated compared to most other builds. The design cleverly combines classic LEGO® bricks with elements from the Technic range, allowing for a realistic recreation of the car’s shape and features.

Under the hood (which opens, of course!), you’ll find a detailed, non-functional representation of the car’s powerful engine. The exterior is equally impressive, with a dark green color scheme reminiscent of the original Bentleys and printed parts that add finesse. Look closely, and you’ll spot the British flag adorning the doors, a subtle nod to the car’s heritage.

A fan-made build, the Bentley Blower is a submission on the LEGO Ideas forum – an online dashboard where enthusiasts can build and share their own LEGO designs. The forum sees hundreds of submissions every day, with the community even voting for their favorites. The LEGO Ideas Bentley Blower currently holds a little over 800 votes, and needs to reach the 10,000 vote mark to be considered by LEGO’s internal team for retail production. If you want to see the Bentley Blower turn into a real box-set, head down to the LEGO Ideas website and cast your vote now

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From Track to Table: How LEGO Captures the Essence of McLaren MCL37

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Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Formula 1 racing with a fun twist? Today, we’re comparing the real-life McLaren MCL37, the 2023 superstar of the F1 circuit, with its LEGO Speed Champions counterpart. We’ll explore the incredible design and engineering of the real car and see how well LEGO captured its essence in a model you can build and play with. Whether you’re an F1 fanatic or a LEGO enthusiast, this comparison will give you a thrilling look at how these two worlds collide. Buckle up and join us on this exciting journey from the racetrack to the LEGO table!

Designer: Lego

LEGO McLaren MCL37

Real Car: McLaren MCL37

The McLaren MCL37 is the latest entry from McLaren Racing for the 2023 Formula 1 season. Founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963, McLaren has been a prominent name in F1 racing, known for creating fast and technologically advanced cars. The MCL37 continues this tradition with a hybrid Mercedes-AMG engine, combining a V6 turbo engine with an energy recovery system to make the car both powerful and fuel-efficient. Designed with aerodynamics in mind, it’s shaped to minimize air resistance. It’s also constructed from lightweight yet strong carbon fiber, making it both tough and light. Safety is a top priority, with features like the Halo device to protect the driver.

2023 McLaren MCL37

Designer: McLaren

The McLaren MCL37’s design is a marvel of modern engineering. The car features a sleek, aerodynamic body designed to reduce drag and maximize downforce, allowing it to zip through corners at high speeds. The front wing is complex, with multiple elements to manage airflow and maintain stability. The rear wing and diffuser work together to increase downforce, keeping the car glued to the track. The side pods are sculpted to channel air efficiently, cooling the engine and other components while also contributing to the car’s aerodynamic efficiency. The MCL37’s livery is striking, with a vibrant papaya orange and blue color scheme, paying homage to McLaren’s historic racing colors. The racer is adorned with logos from various sponsors, adding to its authentic racing look.

Design Elements

Real Car: McLaren MCL37

  • Aerodynamics: The MCL37 is designed to slice through the air smoothly with its sleek body, detailed front and rear wings, and special side pods. The front wing is a masterpiece of design, featuring multiple elements that manage airflow around the car, maintaining stability and enhancing grip. The rear wing is equally complex, designed to increase downforce and keep the car stable at high speeds. The side pods are sculpted to channel air efficiently, cooling the engine and other components while reducing drag.

2023 McLaren MCL37

  • Power Unit:  The car’s hybrid engine combines a V6 turbo engine with an energy recovery system, giving it an awesome mix of power and efficiency. This system allows the car to recover energy during braking and redeploy it for extra power, giving the MCL37 a competitive edge on the track.
  • Materials: It’s made with lots of carbon fiber, which is super strong but very light. This material is crucial for both the car’s performance and safety, as it allows the car to be both fast and durable.

  • Safety: The Halo device around the cockpit is a big safety feature, protecting the driver from crashes. This titanium structure can withstand huge impacts, ensuring the driver’s safety in the event of an accident.
  • Livery: The MCL37’s livery is iconic, featuring the vibrant papaya orange and blue colors that are synonymous with McLaren. The car is also covered in sponsor logos, adding to its authentic look and feel.

LEGO Model: McLaren MCL37

  • Aerodynamics: The LEGO version does a great job capturing the sleek look of the real car, with detailed wings and a streamlined shape. The front wing is simplified but still includes elements that mimic the real car’s design. The rear wing is faithfully reproduced, adding to the model’s realistic appearance. The side pods are represented with angled pieces that suggest the aerodynamic shaping of the real car.

  • Power Unit: While it doesn’t have a real engine, the LEGO model mimics the look of the MCL37’s engine housing and exhausts. The rear section of the model is designed to resemble the car’s power unit, with detailed exhausts and a compact, streamlined appearance.

  • Materials: The MCL37 is built from LEGO bricks, using special pieces to capture the car’s design. Unique LEGO elements create the distinctive shapes and lines of the model, ensuring it is both fun to build and accurate.
  • Safety: The LEGO model includes even the Halo device, keeping it true to the real car. This piece adds an extra layer of realism to the model and highlights LEGO’s attention to detail.

  • Livery: The LEGO model features stickers to replicate the MCL37’s iconic livery. The bright papaya, orange, and blue colors are captured beautifully, and the sponsor logos are included to enhance the model’s authenticity.

Realism Analysis

The LEGO McLaren MCL37 looks a lot like the real thing. It nails the overall shape and design, with key features like the aerodynamic bodywork and unique paint job. The model captures the essence of the car’s sleek design, making it instantly recognizable.

For a LEGO model, it’s got impressive details. Stickers add the logos and sponsor names, making it look authentic. The Halo device is also there, showing LEGO’s attention to important features. Some tiny details are simplified, but it’s still pretty accurate. The use of unique LEGO pieces to replicate the car’s intricate design elements is particularly noteworthy.

Playability vs. Display:

The LEGO model is both fun to play with and cool to display. It’s sturdy enough for some racing action and detailed enough to look great on a shelf. The special pieces and design make it realistic while keeping the building and playing experience enjoyable. Whether you’re racing it around your living room or showcasing it on your desk, this LEGO set offers a perfect blend of playability and display value.

So, what do you think? Did LEGO do a good job? For me, my 14-year-old daughter absolutely loves F1. She’s totally obsessed with it! This LEGO McLaren MCL37 set is definitely something I’ll get for her on a special occasion. It’s a fantastic way to bring the excitement of Formula 1 racing into your home, whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart. Get ready to rev up your imagination and build your own piece of racing history with LEGO!

2023 McLaren MCL37

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This genius LEGO Card Shuffler can automatically shuffle any deck of cards

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The most annoying part of any card game is obviously the shuffling (unless you’re good at it). It seems like a laborious activity that almost always causes one or two stray cards to fly out and fall on the floor… and even after shuffling your cards, someone is bound to tell you that you did a terrible job because they got a dealt a bad hand. I’ve ruined many a deck shuffling cards that eventually got bent out of shape, and I’ve always thought of what life would be like if I had a machine that shuffled my cards for me. Turns out, Pedro Lara went and built himself one instead of buying it online. The LEGO Ornate Card Shuffler is a pretty nifty-looking functional shuffler that uses a combination of gears to accurately shuffle a deck with surprising consistency.

Designer: Pedro Lara

Although Lara doesn’t specify how many bricks were used to build the card shuffler, it’s worth admiring how the overall contraption is both functional and classy. The word ornate isn’t thrown in for nothing – the ‘black box’ has a variety of golden trims that add an aesthetic touch to the contraption. Two chambers on the left and right hold both halves of the deck, and once the shuffler gets to work, the cards are shuffled into a central deck, which can be pulled out thanks to a removable drawer.

The card shuffler utilizes LEGO Technic gears that connect both left and right chambers. The uppermost cards are pulled using friction from rubber tires. For people familiar with card games, the machine uses a variation of what’s called the Riffle Shuffle, which alternates the cards from the left and right, breaking any patterns within the existing deck. While Lara’s original design works with a LEGO electric motor, it can also be operated manually with a lever. The gear mechanism provides significant leverage, making manual shuffling a fun and efficient option.

A close look at the gear system under the hood of the LEGO Ornate Shuffler

Pedro Lara’s self-made design or MOC (My Own Creation) can be found on the LEGO Ideas Forum, an online dashboard where LEGO enthusiasts upload their own zany designs and have the community vote for their favorite creations. With just under 2000 votes, Lara’s design seems to be picking up traction and has even received a Staff Pick recommendation from the LEGO team. You can cast your vote for the LEGO Ornate Card Shuffler on the LEGO Ideas forum, and if it reaches the coveted 10,000 vote mark, it might just turn into an available retail box set!

The removable drawer that collects the cards after they’re shuffled.

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