Lego Cars & Their Movie Counterparts
Let’s face it, you can’t not love a Lego set. Remember your childhood, trying to build the Starship Enterprise with only that big green rectangle and red engine nacelles? Feeling a plastic brick gripped in your fingers, snapping it in so that the next will fit properly. Today’s Lego sets are more involved and leave less to the imagination. In fact, some are as detailed as a scale model. Many Lego “artists” have taken it amongst themselves to create movie models in honor of classic film automobiles.
Who ya gonna call? The Lego Ecto-1
This Lego Ecto-1 is a custom job from Brickshelf, complete with what looks like swords as bumpers. There are dozens of Ecto-1 Lego replicas on the web, some including Ghostbuster characters, proton packs and tiny floating spirits.
The Real Ecto-1 from Ghostbustersfans is a converted 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor Ambulance. The original car is located on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City, Ca. A second is currently undergoing restoration in Tennessee. Arguably one of the most recognizable vehicles in film history, Ecto-1 has been featured in print, on film, in animated form (as the main paranormal-investigation patrol vehicle from The Real Ghostbusters) and in the soon to be released Ghostbusters video game for PS3 and Xbox 360. Ecto-1 has inspired many restoration projects, and even has forums dedicated to those rebuilding Caddy Ambulances from the era into their own personal ghost-hunting carriages.
Lego Spinner
Blade Runner’s Spinner (seen above in via BoingBoing and below in a .gif model) was conceived by visual film genius Syd Mead. His credits include Aliens and Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Spinner film cars were built on frames of old VW Wagons. Mead’s Lego Spinner is one of a kind, created and personally delivered to him by Lego execs.
Lego Tumbler - Batmobile from Batman Begins & The Dark Knight
“Here…we…go” - Joker in The Dark Knight
Although this Lego approved Batmobile is available for sale, countless Tumbler-built Lego models are personally designed by brick enthusiasts. Both the official and bootleg models run around 400+ pieces! Some versions include battery packs and spring shocks for lights and remote controlled mobility.
The real-life, fully-functional Batman Tumbler can achieve speeds of over 100 mph and hits 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, just a little faster than its Lego counterpart. The Tumbler possess a steering system to make sharp turns at city corners, and withstand a self-propelled jump of up to 30 feet. Other Tumbler specs include a 5.7-liter Chevy V8 engine, truck axle for the rear tires, front tires which are actually rear dirt racing tires used from open wheel sprint cars, rear 4×4 mud tires and the suspension system of Baja racing trucks. The design and development process took nine months and cost several million dollars.
Lego Mach 5 - Speed Racer
2008’s Speed Racer live-action film was less than enjoyable for many classic anime fans. And not to trash an official Lego set, but this one looks a little simple compared to The Spinner and Tumbler. Complete with your own personal Speed character but lacks a trunk to hide little Chim-chim in.
The Mach 5 from 2008’s Speed Racer feature was mostly a creation from CGI land - but a real Mach 5 exists and was even test driven by Road & Track Magazine in April. “It ran to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and to the quarter-mile mark in 7.3 sec” according to the article. Add it to your list of TV & film cars we’d love to steal, right up there with the General Lee and KITT.
The Lego Bluesmobile - Blues Brothers
A Lego Dodge Monaco with a great sound system! Those ropes don’t look Lego official, but the windshield wipers are an nice addition. Also from Brickshelf
The Blues Brothers‘ Dodge Monaco Police Cruiser - A definitive car of film history, there were eleven Monaco’s used in chase scenes, and a twelfth built to only fall apart in front of the Cook County Accessors Office. All Bluesmobiles in the film were modified with “cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks” etc. Of course, the 440 cubic engine was also standard on every stunt car.
“I’m a soul [Lego] man…”
Lego KITT - Knight Rider
“One Lego can make a difference”
Obviously the most recognizable Trans-Am ever to be constructed for television is 1982’s Pontiac-turned superhero vehicle KITT (Knight Industries Two-Thousand) on Knight Rider. Another Brickshelf submission shows some impressive detail, from the ram scoop hood to KITT’s seat and dash design. All it needs is a little leather-jacketed, hairy-chested David Hasselhoff.
KITT was designed by the late Wilton Knight, a brilliant but eccentric billionaire and founder of the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG). KITT is the Foundation’s crime-fighting automotive crusader with artificial intelligence and the ability to “pilot” itself, as well as defend against attacks and hack into the most sophisticated government computer systems. KITT could also jump really, really far. Did we mention he also talked? And sounded oddly similar to Mr. Feeny from TV’s Boy Meets World.
Lego Harley - Easy Rider
The Lego Harley Davidson - another brick fan creation dedicated to Lego when the toymaker turned 50 years young. Our favorite detail, aside from the official Harley sticker, are the small side mirrors and blinkers. We’re thinking that front fender may not repel too much rain water.
Ok, so the Lego Harley above bares only a slight resemblance to any choppers used in the classic road trip film Easy Rider. We just couldn’t resist referencing the greatest motorcycle film of all time.
Awesome, love the one with batman