(Written by Lucas Colon)
I’m a TFOL (Teen-Fan-of-LEGO) and I just placed a project up on LEGO Ideas that I thought to share with you; a selection of customizable LEGO cars. Unfortunately I don’t know a lot of people – whether online or in real life – with whom I can talk to in order to spread the word of my project and receive more supporters. So I thought to reach out to you guys as it seems that this is one of the most friendly and helpful online LEGO communities. So please allow me to share my project and let me know what you think. 😉
My proposal is for a set of customizable LEGO cars; one very basic chassis, and all the details added onto six clip-on bumper pieces (front and back bumpers, two side panels, an engine panel, and a hood panel). I propose one set, with pieces to build a basic chassis or two. The LEGO set I’m envisioning should also include pieces for around six or seven different ‘themed’ kits of bumpers and panels, along with ideas for many more. The photos below are of the plain basic car chassis. The remaining pictures are LEGO Digital Designer renders that show just how diverse the vehicle can get, building on the same basic design.
My inspiration for this LEGO project was two-fold. First of all, like many loyal players, I was devastated when LEGO Universe was shut down. I spent countless hours racing on the tracks there – my favorite pastime. After its closure, I decided to replicate some of the racing cars I dearly loved. After months of scouring Google images for obscure screenshots, I was finally able to replicate the basic car chassis. I immediately began to experiment with building different panels (as well as replicating some of my favorites from LU). As fate would have it, I finished my first batch of cars almost as soon as LEGO Ideas was launched, and I immediately decided to post it there. I’d love to see the cars sold as an official set! 😀
The second half of the story behind this LEGO project is rather personal. I have an aunt who lives in Puerto Rico and has always gone out of her way to be extremely kind to me. Unfortunately she has Multiple Sclerosis, and it is heartbreaking for me to see her whenever I go down for a visit. It occurred to me as I posted up this LEGO project that as she’d been very kind to me, I could use my talents as a LEGO builder to give back to her. If my project reaches 10,000 supporters and is chosen as the next LEGO Ideas set, I pledge to donate 50% of the profits to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation for research in curing this disease.
So that is my story and the story of this LEGO project. Please let me know what you think in the comment section below. Your feedback is very much appreciated. And if you like this LEGO project, and would like to possibly see it as an official set, please vote for it at LEGO Ideas at the following link: VOTE FOR LEGO IDEAS CUSTOMIZABLE CARS. Also, please spread the word to your friends and family either personally or by using the social buttons below. Remember, every little bit helps when you’ve got only one year to reach 10,000 supporters! Thank you! 🙂
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This is a very good idea. The “customizable vehicle” idea is one that I’m surprised LEGO itself hasn’t attempted yet (making custom mechas, cars, planes, tanks, ships is something I’d pay for). They’ve started doing Mixels, which is a step in the right direction. Hope you reach 10,000!
Yes! I want customizable mechs!
Thanks! I was actually thinking, this ‘customized collectibles’ business model has already been proven wildly successful in the case of Mixels, and Collectable Minifigures as well. Custom mechs would be awesome . . .
Thank you very much for your support! 🙂
I agree; I don’t know why LEGO hasn’t done this yet. Little LEGO cars are very popular with kids.
I’m In!
Lucas, I am impressed with your designs, considerate spirit, and your excellent writing skills! Good luck!
Thanks, Kristy! 😀
I love the idea and the story behind it. Unfortunately, Ideas does not allow a series of sets, so I would recommend taking your favorite two themes and the chassis and putting them in one set, and encourage fans to create their own themes.
Oh never mind, I just read the description and saw that it is one set. Supporting!
Those cars look great! I would REALLY like to have some cars from LU. I hope your project makes it!
I hope it does too. Thanks for your support!
My mom has MS too!
Have you considered adding steering, suspension, etc.?
Wow, um…that exclamation mark made that sentence somewhat disturbing…
Oh. I’m . . . sorry to hear that . . . 🙁
As for steering and suspension, that is something I’ve looked into. It can be done, the main problem I have encountered is that I’ll usually have to connect one or more of the bumpers to each other, and I have never been satisfied with the result. I’m still experimenting, though! 😀
Thanks for your support!
Very interesting! I especially like the train.
I like trains.
So do I. It’s pretty neat, huh?
Wow, admin, thank you so much for putting this up. It looks great!
And a huge thanks to everyone who supported the project. The amount of supporters has doubled, in just one day! Thank you all so, so much! 😀
Lucas, you are very welcome. Wishing you the best with your project! 🙂
Love it. Customizable cars is a great idea, I’ve already done that with some of my brothers City cars; I’m hoping this will become a set. 🙂 Is that gold one in the first picture one of the interchangeable models?
I wish I could support, but I don’t think I can; do you need something to support, or can you just click it? 😕
Thanks! Yeah, the car in the first picture does have interchangeable panels. It’s just a little bit hard to see the distinctions in the photo I took. (It’s also the only car in the photos here not to have been featured in Lego Universe.)
To vote for this project, you need a valid LEGO ID. If you haven’t linked it over to the Ideas site, you’ll need to do that before you can support any projects there. Once that’s done, all you have to do is click the support button, answer a few questions (like estimated price, etc.) and that’s it!
OK, thanks! I have a Lego ID, but it hasn’t been linked over to Ideas, as I have never really done anything there. I’ll see if I can get it. If so, I’ll support it! 😉
Awesome idea! Hope you get 10,000 supporters!:D