Group: 2
Bracket: 2A
Category: Vehicles
Opponent: Oucho T. Cactus
Here my entry for round 2 of the 2009 MocOlympics. Sorry I posted so late, but when I get home from school, there is not enough natural lighting for a photo shoot. So, I have to post on the weekends, and the next one happened to be the last day before the deadline.
I had always wanted to build a big, beautiful, American cruiser car from the sixties that had functions such as suspension, opening doors, lots of cabin space, and other such realistic details. So, I set off to work on this car, and was finished in just two long days. The results are beyond satisfying: it is exactly the way I wanted it to turn out. The car isn't a real model (that I can identify anyway), but it is heavily inspired by the '64 Impala. This car features an opening hood, an engine, opening doors, adjustable seating for four, and lastly, a working suspension. I'll let the pictures and videos speak for themselves now ;) Please review, and thanks for looking!
EDIT: I just finished posting, with about six hours left until the deadline. Lol.
Like for my 2010 Camaro, I did a 360º view video. There is such a difference between looking at pictures of a creation and actually seeing it. I've decided to use the 360º contraption on more upcoming MOCs, so it'll feel a little more like you've really seen it. The only thing I had to change was the size of the base.
This video demonstrates the suspension that the car rides on. The rubber bands are not official (of course), but it turned out very nice and compact. All you need it a lot of hollow space underneath your car... ;)
Here's a shot; basically the main picture but without minifigs. The figs sit a little high in the car (though proportional in all other aspects), so I thought it would be nice to provide the same picture, but of just the car.
Here's a back angle. As you can see, the rear wheels are covered, for a touch of class.
Front view. Set 10156 LEGO Truck helped me get a lot of the chrome parts for a extravagant yet vintage front end.
Side view. The rear end is a little closer to the ground that the front: I did that on purpose to make it look like its been driving across the country forever, as the heavy back end just presses into the ground, dragging along... Keep your eyes peeled, and you'll probably see some clunkers like that.
Rear end. Again, you can see a lot of chrome elements.
Top view. Now you can see into the roomy cabin. Also notice how, well... how large the whole car is!
Size comparison to a sharpened-once pencil. Yeah, it ends up being, oh, over 7.5 in (19 cm) ;)
12 mpg? 13?
Here's the underside, which is actually very interesting because you can see the suspension construction. There are only two rubber bands, but each wheel has independent suspension. Also, towards the rear, see those chrome pieces? Those are the smokestacks from 10156. Yeah baby, this car doesn't have exhaust pipes, it has smokestacks!
The hood opens up...
To reveal a huge American V8! No, this isn't a muscle car, but luxury always implies a bit of power. Originally, the car had a V4 with a radiator and one stud of space I couldn't use, but at the last minute, I ripped out the radiator and packed another four cylinders in there. Good choice.
Here's a view with all of the doors opened up. The front ones are 5-studs-long regular doors, and the rear ones are 2-studs-long coach doors.
Here they are, measuring 9 studs long including the hinges.
And open! It's the first time I've used custom built doors.
Now let's look inside. As you can see, the front seats are individual, while the rear is a big bench seat. I think the white upholstery matches the white stripe on the side of the car very well.
Here's a view from the front. Sorry, I forgot the shift stick, but I did include some gauges :[
The front seats adjust! w00t! This is also the first time I've used custom-built seats for minifigs.
Here's a shot of all the smiling people sitting in the car. Hey, I'd be happy it I were in that car...
Front detail. Here you can see the bling up close! Actually, the front end was really hard to get to look good. I'm still not so sure about it.
This stripe on the side was due to lack of black tiles, but thinking back on things, I really love how it looks now.
Back detail. This is the only part that kept me from calling it a '64 Impala: the rear looks sooo Cadillac, with those vertical slit lights, and the wedge shaped center...
This is my favorite detail: the old sixties California license plate.
Here's the gas tank door. With a car like this, you'll need one.
nice ride, great work on the suspension, great details too. it looks really nice in black too bad there is no lego cherry color xD, thx for your comment - Nathaniel
Quoting oucho t cactus
great vehicle and i think that its a unanimous decision that you owned me with this epic vehicle
Thanks man, and your entry was great too. A lot of people would just drop out of something they're not too comfortable with, but you went for it anyways. I appreciate that, and I appreciate how friendly and positive you've been about the whole thing. It was a pleasure to compete with you.
Very nice car. Without the details, it would be a very cool car, but those doors, the engine and the chrome smokestacks and of course the suspension makes this a solid win.
Man that's awesome, very cool little ride, I wish I had one in real life :p the silver and black combination work so well for my taste, love the details all around as well, I don't know but I think this is your best by far, keep on the great work pal >>> peace.. Firas
Reminds me of a certain convertable that drove through downtown Dallas in 1963... something about a grassy knoll... I dunno. Oh well, welcome to round 3! ~ Chris.
"Yeah, it ends up being, oh, over 7.5 in (19 cm)" THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!! Ok... Got that over with now onto the moc. I really like the suspension, it's simple, but effective. I also like the chrome bits (they're tasty). Good luck! 8^)
