Saturday, November 29, 2014

LUGNuts Turns 7...Or 49 In Dog Years...Roundup

Fine! Fine! We'll do it live! We'll flippin' do it live! We'll do it live! Flippity Flip! Huh? What? Oh hello. Don't mind me, I was just doing my Bill O'Reilly meltdown impersonation. Entertaining stuff. You should probably youtube it or something. But not while at work or while sitting in the middle of a Christian kindergarten class room. Cuz the internet is chock full of scary, scary things no one in their right mind should ever witness. Why you could innocently keyword "pussycat" and find images you'll have to repress from your mind until you're a pensioner...or save onto your desktop, depending on your point of view. This roundup just might be one of those scary internet things. You innocently google LEGO cars only to find some short megalomaniacal malcontent running his mouth off like a son of a bitch! It's not my fault I wasn't hugged enough! Or too much. I don't know, I always get the two mixed up. Anyway, welcome to our birthday roundup called LUGNuts Turns 7...Or 49 In Dog Years. Yes, its the ever popular birthday challenge where Peter Blackert builds every car in the history of the world ever and a few other people join in also. As a running gag, since we turned 7 this month...or 49 in dog years, I'll humorously appeal to both 7 year olds and 49 year olds. Enjoy.

Cripes, here we go with Peter's entries already! Get yourself some cookies, a sippy-cup of milk, and three fingers of scotch, this is going to be long. Peter Blackert has the ability to see into the future as he overhauls  the set #75908 Ferrari 458 GT2 Berlinetta before it even comes out.

Ferrari 458 GT2 - Lego Nr. 75908 (2015) Recreated

Peter is not a fan of stickers, which is why he overhauled another future set #75912 "Porsche GT Finish Line". He just learned how to write in cursive and yearly prostate exams are also becoming increasingly important at his age.

Porsche 911 GT (991) - Lego Nr. 75912 (2015) Recreated

Seven year old Ralphie Swanson and 49 year old Millie McGraw both woke up this morning in a puddle of their own vomit...but for entirely different reasons. Also Peter still insists to his mum that the Skoda Yeti was the car she should have bought instead of the Mazda.

Skoda Yeti

Incidentally, Peter also woke up in a puddle of his own vomit this morning but then realized the vomit wasn't his own after all. Bummer, dude! The entire second grade class and everyone at the board meeting are laughing at him now.  Once he got himself cleaned up, he rendered a 2008 MkII Tacoma X-Runner.

Toyota Tacoma X-Runner 2005

Jumping right back to nearly the start of LUGNuts - to Challenge #5 - "Heroes and Villains" is this Peter-built Aston Martin DB5 GT as featured in the original James Bond films by author Ian Fleming. Also Peter is amidst litigation for calling his neighbor a "fatty fatty boombaladdy."

Aston Martin DB5 - James Bond 007

One time this kid Peter laughed so hard in the lunch room that he blew milk out his nose. That made him and this other kid hurl and then the janitor had to clean it up with that sawdust stuff. He had to get sent home early where he then enjoyed relations with his secretary, then built an Enzo Ferrari.

Ferrari Enzo Berlinetta

 Peter must be going through a mid-life crisis as he shows some Mad Motor Skills for this Ferrari 458 Speciale A. He then ate a can of Spaghetti-O's, a Kit-Kat bar and crashed out in front of the TV watching Teletubbies.

Ferrari 458 Speciale A & UCS V8 Engine (Paris Motorshow 2014)

Moving on to "Autos aus Deutschland", Peter renders this quirky blue 1989 BMW Z1 roadster with doors that dropped down into the sills. He also recently got promoted to the advanced reading group in his class and noticed that his own kid has a receded hairline now.

BMW Z1 Roadster (1989)

 Peter's version of "slowing things down now" means taking a brief potty break before rendering four dozen more entries. Here is a 1959 Cadillac Series 75 (6700) Miller-Meteor Hearse Conversion. He also enjoys "ding-dong ditching" the neighbor kid, then celebrating with a good cigar.

Cadillac 75-Series Miller-Meteor Conversion - 1959

Like a vintage scotch, Peter's '71 Caddy Eldorado should be enjoyed in moderation lest you're liable to hurl in Mrs. Denker's class and that could mean a trip to the principal's office. One time this kid Billy got sent home early for hurling too much and he was never seen again.

Cadillac Eldorado 1971

 1971 launched the 246 Dino GTS, a targa roofed version of the delectable Ferrari sub-brand Dino. Peter also enjoys playing in the dirt, Justin Bieber, and the touch of a woman, but not necessarily all at once.

Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

Gum in the hair, sore back, mean, ugly teachers, alcoholism, tattle tales, infidelity, wedgies, high cholesterol, pulled pigtails, lawsuits, purple-nurples...these are the problems of 7 and 49 year olds alike. This has nothing to do with Peter's Audi TT, they just sounded funny together.

Audi TT (Mk1 - 1998)

One time a 7 year old Peter got in trouble for showing classmate, Katy Sterling his wiener. Time doesn't change much as he is currently doing jail time for showing a now 49 year old prosecuting attorney Katherine Sterling his wiener. Oh, and this LaSalle 1937 Coupe-Convertible.

LaSalle 1937 Convertible Coupe

When it comes to farting, Peter lives by one simple rule: Those who smelt it, dealt it. But then he also knows that those who denied it, supplied it. This school yard paradox puzzled children for generations to come. He also built a trio of Italian Alfa Romeo hatchbacks. One in red, brown, and white.

Alfa Romeo 147 3Dr Hatch (Type 937)

Alfa Romeo 147 5Dr Hatch (Type 937)

Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (Type 937)

But he also understands how escrow works, which is puzzling to most adults. He also explains this "Plain Jane" Mercedes-Benz 190E would have commonly been seen dressed in beige paint and waiting for you at the airport, should you find yourself visiting West Germany in the 1980s.

Mercedes-Benz W201 190E

Peter wants to be just like me as evidenced by this copy of my '61 Dodge Polara called Aztec Gold. This is fitting, since I was an influential 7 year old. I once convinced a kid to eat a bug as he would be imbued with super-bug powers but then he tattled and I got in trouble.

Linotopia - Aztec Gold - 1961 Dodge Polara

Pretty much the same thing happened when I tried to claim chicken fighting as a business on my taxes. I told the auditor "it is too a business, you poo-poo head!" Nifty Fifties, Daddy-O produced plenty of LUGNuts action from the golden era of US motoring. This 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible is no exception.

Buick 1953 Skylark Convertible

Peter teams up with fellow schoolyard kid, Sam Sir Manperson for this nearly identical pair of black Mercedes-Benz W201 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II's. Peter's is this smaller scale render.

Mercedes-Benz W201 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II

While the aforementioned Sam Sir Manperson pounds out a slightly wilder larger scale version, thus together (with their wonder twin powers!) satisfying both the "Size Matters" and "From Mild To Wild" challenges. Both dudes celebrated by playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos and hiring a prostitute.

Lego 1990 Mercedes 190E Evo II

Sam Sir Manperson comes back much later in the challenge to overhaul set # 7236, which doesn't seat a mini fig but, hey, at least it looks cool. 7 year old Amanda Newmar lost a tooth and was thrilled to get a dollar from the tooth fairy. meanwhile 49 year old Chuck Armell lost a tooth in a bar fight and got nothing for it.

Lego 7236 Overhaul

You'd think with the little Sir Manperson break we've seen the end of Peter this challenge, but noooooo! We have like 40 more to go! Somebody get that kid some Ritalin or something. Anyway, he shows his age with this 1972 FIAT X1/9 in green.

FIAT X1/9

When the Beach Boys were singing about "my 409", turns out they weren't going on about spray oven cleaner, but rather an early 1960's Chevrolet Impala with a 409 CID V8...as rendered here. Peter enjoys his Batman Under-Roos and also appreciates a good bowel movement.

Chevrolet Impala SS 409 CID Sport Coupe - 1961

Does being an engineer for Ford mean you get to have a new car every month? WTF! Seems to be so as Peter's ride this month is a Ford CD345 EcoBoost Mondeo in a color that can only be described as dentist waiting room chair. Peter just learned his multiplication tables up to 6 and should also watch his salt intake.

Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 EcoBoost GTDi (CD345 - 2014)

Swedish kids and adults alike love hot cocoa, saunas, fondue, ABBA, and the SAAB 99 EMS 3-Door Combi-Coupe of 1978, which is the perfect conveyance for gettin' about if you are ever 'Snowed In'  in Sweden listening to ABBA.

SAAB 99 EMS 3-Door Combi-Coupe (1978)

According to Peter, this Lincoln MKX mid-size Crossover is a Millennium Marvel. Take it from a Ford engineer, the biggest, most exciting thing in the 21st century automotive industry is...not the hybrid, but the crossover. Peter also enjoys story time in his Spiderman jammies and blowing 40 large in Blackjack.

Lincoln MKX Crossover (2009)

Turns out, if you're Australian, you may have tooled about at some point in a Holden FJ Taxi, making this model perfect for Challenge 49, - "On the Job" for vehicles that have a working purpose. Most adults have jobs. You should dress for the job you want, not the job you have...which explains why Peter spent most of yesterday in the HR office dressed as Batman.

Holden FJ Taxi - 1953

The Peter-built 986 Boxster model shown here fits challenge 42, - "Autos aus Deutschland". Peter's co-worker at Ford cut him in line in the cafeteria in spite of the usually steadfast grade school decree of  "no cuts, no buts, no coconuts."

Porsche Boxster (986)

 Also fitting "Autos aus Deutschland" is this Mercedes-Benz W210 E320 Sedan, which was apparently a lapse in quality for the German automaker. Peter looks forward to Saturday morning cartoons and also to a month without hemorrhoids.

Mercedes-Benz W210 E-Class. E320 Saloon 1998

"Redo and Redemption" was a challenge aimed at re-righting the wrongs of models long past, maybe back in the old 'kitchen table' blurred photography, chewed pieces days. Peter, however takes it as an opportunity to re-do this Audi TT from earlier this challenge. He'll play with his Superman action figures right after paying off the mortgage.

Audi TT Mk1 (Redux)

What is an FGX XR8? Well, once again Peter spouts off about stuff no one understands outside of Australia, but if you follow the Mad Max genre, the FGX XR8 is truly the last of the V8 Interceptors, and its even supercharged. He enjoys building sand castles but is scared and confused by Spongebob Square Pants.

Ford Falcon XR8 (FGX 2015)

This 2004 Maserati MC12 won a whole boatload of championships and was built for the "At The Races" challenge. Even though Peter didn't want to give his friend a "wet willie", he was double dog dared by his attorney to do it so…you pretty much can't back out of that one.

Maserati MC12 (2004)

Peter wanted to go to his classmate's birthday party but regrets to inform him that he can't make it cuz this morning he farted and threw his back out. Also he built some weird Red Bull X2010 thingy that was in PlayStation Grand Turismo 5 (GT5) and 6 (GT6).

Red Bull X2010 Concept Racer (Grand Turismo 6)

He shows some Mad Motor Skills for this Alfa Romeo Brera (939) 3.2 JTS V6 Coupe. And speaking of motors, Peter's favorite book as a child was "The Little Engine That Could". But if someone were to write a book on some 49 year olds it would be called "The Little Engine That Occasionally Couldn't."

Alfa Romeo Brera Coupe (Typ 939) & UCS 3.2 JTS V6 Engine

OK, even I have to admit that was clever and funny! The 1956 FE Holden marks an Aussie interpretation of Challenge 59, - "Nifty Fifties, Daddy-O". Attempts to return an ill-fitting pair of slacks to the store was thwarted the other day when Peter was alerted to their strict "no take-backsies" policy.

Holden FE Special (1956)

In a dispute with his neighbor over property values, the neighbor said "you're gay!" Then Peter said "no you're gay!" "No, you are!", retorted the neighbor. This went back and for a bit until finally the neighbor said "I may be gay for a day, but you're queer for a year!" And that pretty much ended that argument. Oh, and here's a Cord 810 Phaeton Beverly Sedan. 

Cord 810 Beverly Sedan - 1936

"Pink Bellies", DUI, scary dogs, tax evasion, the boogie man, a loveless marriage…these are the problems that plague 7 year olds and 49 year olds around the world. And also this Ford Ranger Baja Racer in Octan Racing colors.

Octan Racing Ranger Baja Racer

The 1969 Mercedes-Benz C111 Rotary-powered concept/prototype car is presented here in a shade of orange that has its own special name - weissherbst. Peter would be the most popular kid in his second grade class if it weren't for the fact that he has one hell of a comb-over.

Mercedes-Benz C111 Concept

Still orange, but much less high-brow is the Heide Performance Products (HPP) Superbird conversion of the current iteration of the Dodge Challenger Coupe. Peter was his schoolyard recess champion thanks to fast-acting Geritol!

HPP Dodge Challenger-Superbird Conversion

Looking now like a big brown turd, this 1971 Pontiac LeMans made cinematic history as the chase vehicle in the 1971 film, 'The French Connection', also starring that old turd Gene Hackmann. I didn't write any 7/49 year old jokes for that one. Peter's copy/pasted quip was funny enough.

Pontiac LeMans 1971 (The French Connection)

And speaking of that, I just had an old man moment today that I haven't done since I was a kid so it qualifies. I'll tell ya next car, but first this 1968 Peugeot 504 Berline was legendary in Africa where its robust design stood up well to the challenges of the North African road (or non road) conditions.

Peugeot 504 Berline (1968)

The Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 took the production Quattro chassis, cut 12 inches from the wheelbase, and wound up the turbocharger all the way to crazy-town. The car went on to blitz the WRC and also held the Pikes Peak climb record. You see, dear readers, I have not been very regular this past month

Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2

Launched in 1962, and also French (of Italian descent) the Simca 1000 Coupe Bertone cut a fine looking, if somewhat slow-ish line through French streets and laneways in the 1960s.
…So then I figured I'd do something about it and took some laxatives. I know, I know, old man problems and very embarrassing…

Simca Coupé 1000 Bertone (1962)

Challenge 32, - "God Save the Queen", was a challenge to build cars from the UK. What better then, than a 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V 'Canberra' Limousine, one of three specially commissioned vehicles to be official state cars to HM Queen Elizabeth II. …Sorry, Queen Mum, you just happen to be around for my embarrassing personal story. Please forgive me. So anyway day one nothing. Day 2 nothing. Day 3 and 4, nothing

Rolls-Royce Phantom V Canberra Limousine (1960) - Official State Car of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Built the the 30th Challenge theme, - "Lemons or LeMans", is this 1958 Edsel Ranger Sedan. …So then I had 4 days of record-breaking regularity! I mean this stuff was worthy to write home about! Then, like 4 hours ago I was having a nice productive day at work and suddenly became so regular I had to go home early

Edsel Ranger Sedan 1958

Revisiting last month's 83rd Build Challenge, - "Only in America", is this 1937 Cadillac Series 70 Coupe.  All Cadillac models in this immediate period found limited sales, due to the Great Depression. So here I sit, freshly showered, doing laundry and getting the roundup done. I texted my boss, let her know the mishap and why I went home early and now I'm telling the story to you all. I'd like to see Brothers Brick do that!

Cadillac Series 70 Coupe (1937)

Plus it filled like six jokes and in a roundup this long, I'll take whatever inspiration I can get. The 2012 Toyota 86 Sportscar was sold out globally almost instantly. Scary clowns, enlarged prostate, monster under the bed, tax audits, the schoolyard bully…these are the fears of 7 and 49 year olds everywhere.

Toyota GT86 - 2012

This '67 Camaro coupe dressed up as 'Bumblebee' satisfies a few sub-themes of a challenge called "A Baker's Dozen, including, Any vehicle for or inspired by any superhero or villain, Any vehicle from childhood cartoons...MASK, G.I. Joe, etc. and any contender for the 2014 SEMA car show. Santa Claus, side boob, freeze tag, Jack Daniel's…you get the drift.

Chevrolet 1967 Camaro 'Bumblebee'

In spite of all my foibles and accidents, Peter still finds the time to suck up to the boss with this replica of my Jedi Starliner featuring "Lino-Wan Kenobi", hopefully in clean Jedi robes. What? Laughing at myself is good medicine. That's how I can continue to poke fun at all of you with impunity and a clear conscious. Laxatives, on the other hand, are only good in moderation.

Linotopia - Obi-Wan's Jedi Starliner

Here's something I haven't seen seemingly since childhood. And no...shut up…I didn't mean that! I'm talking about a brick built creation from Peter. Its been years, maybe. Here is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Volvo C30 DRIVe Hatchback.

Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric

Here is some more brick built goodness for challenge 55, - "Rubber side down, Shiny side up", - was a challenge all about motorcycle-type vehicles. 7 year old Tommy McMillen was scarred and confused as he tried to reason why he suddenly had a boner while riding the school bus.

Thumper

Meanwhile 49 year old Al Rizzo can't remember the last time he sprung a boner on a bus or anywhere for that matter. Challenge 81, - "Generation Gap", - was all about vehicle built over more than one generation. The model here is the very latest 2013 Ford B299MCA Fiesta Sport.

Ford Fiesta Sport - 2013

"Space is the Place", - was the title for LUGNuts' 62nd Build Challenge, all about Space themed vehicle builds. Shown here is the first NASCAR champion Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The engine was named 'Rocket', and there was plenty of reference to the name in the advertising. Insert your own "pocket rocket" joke here.

Oldsmobile 1950 Rocket 88 Holiday Hardtop Coupe

In 1936 Mercedes-Benz launched the W136-Series 170V. You know what I haven't done in awhile? Told our namesake minor league baseball team to go screw themselves. Screw you, Lansing Lugnuts! Nanna-na-boo-boo, stick your head in doo-doo!

Mercedes-Benz 170V Cabriolet (W136 - 1936)

There, that feels better. Back to my old childish self! Peter had requested a "By Random Appointment", and I laid on this doozie for him to build, this 'Cherry Bomb' a 1970's show rod by Tom Daniel. Like long division to most 7 year olds, this took Peter way out of his comfort zones. I approve.

Cherry Bomb - Tom Daniel - 1970

Packard's last independently developed car, the 1956 Patrician sedan is showcased here in grey, white, and like prosthetic leg tan. Peter's ongoing dispute over property values went nowhere when his neighbor declared him to be a liar, liar, pants on fire.

Packard Patrician Sedan (1956)

And finally adding some much needed Claas to this joint (I know, I use that joke every time) is this Claas XERION 5000 4x4 high-horsepower tractor. Is that the last of Peter's? Holy crap, it is! Finally! Sweet baby Jeebus!

Claas XERION 5000 4x4 High-horsepower Tractor

OK, now onto somebody else. I hope I haven't run out of 7/49 jokes. FORD4LYF, who is probably Peter in disguise, built this good old '64 Ford F-100 Texas truck. According to military drill sergeants everywhere there are only steers and queers in Texas. Funny cuz I was at the airport in Dallas and saw neither…just a bunch of dudes in cowboy boots.

1964 Ford F-100

OK, Lino, think 7/49 jokes. Think, damn it, think! Here goes: The Lamborghini Countach, built by Senator Chinchilla (both a very childish and adult name) was enjoyed by 7 year olds and 49 year olds alike. 7 year olds had posters of them while 49 year olds drove them during their midlife crisis.

Lamborghini Countach

Yeah, that wasn't the best joke. What else do we have? Loek1990 renders a Volvo Octan racing truck, complete with a rally racer. He'll also play a spirited game of dodgeball right after he divorces his second wife.

Volvo FH 16 Octan + LM Rally Fighter

Hey, dodgeball causes more divorces than you'd think. Portuguese builder Biczzz can't imagine a hot rod like his "Gold Dust" outside of the US, so he built it for the challenge "Only in America." Canada has more than a few. Maybe Mexico. Yeah, I guess he's right. Not much hot rodding outside the US.

Hot Rod "Gold Dust"

Tom Netherton tells us that the US purchases more pickup trucks with Texas alone buying up more pickups than most other countries. He drives a pickup so its only fitting that he posts two, the first a 1969 Chevy C10 Long Bed. Candyland and early onset menopause.

1969 Chevy C10 Long Bed

 And the second being a 1974 Ford F-100 Super Cab. What other jokes do I have? Um…arthritic knees and…um…freeze tag. Boy, I'm running out of steam here.

Ford F-100 'Dent Side' Super Cab

Pasaruka76 submits what he calls his humble attempt at a Vespa for "Viva Italia" challenge. The bane of 7 year old Davey Lipton's existence was "Fat Joe" Capozzi, the schoolyard bully who stole his lunch money..

Vespa

Meanwhile the bane of 49 year old Dave Lipton's existence is "Fat Joe" Capozzi, the hired goon who collects gambling debts from deadbeats. Some things never change. Later in the challenge Pascal comes back with this Akira bike for the "Shiny Side Up, Rubber Side Down" challenge.

Akira-style Bike

7 year old Joshua is just learning to tie his shoes. Meanwhile, 49 year old Edward just bought a pair of slip on wingtips cuz bending down to tie his shoes is just too much of a hassle.  Chrisbuilds lives up to his name with this spooky tricked-out '32 Ford. Happy Halloween! 

IMG_1080 (2) - Copy

Speaking of boner inducing school bus rides (like 30 entries ago), Nathan Proudlove presents this school bus for the "LUGNuts In Real Life" challenge. At the age of 7, no one calls you at all, but at the age of 49 people call at 9pm and ask "did I wake you?"

School Bus

The great pyramids, the moon landing, and Nathan's Poison Pinto are among my short list of mankind's best achievements. This was my all time fave Hotwheels car from childhood. I had it on my own to-do list but it kicked my ass, I challenged Nathan to do it like a year ago and it kicked his ass then. Now, finally he has done it for the Super 70's Sensation challenge thereby satisfying 7 and 49 year olds alike.

Poison Pinto

One advantage to being 49 is kidnappers are no longer interested in you. Not that Tim Inman would know anything about that. He teams up with yours truly for a pair of high and low '59 Impalas. His being this high stance gasser called Alti-tude.

"Alti-TUDE" 1959 Chevy Sedan Delivery gasser

While Lino Martins chimes in with this low and slow custom counterpart called Low-Life. The two dudes celebrate their team-up by playing a spirited game of rock 'em sock 'em robots and paying for strange.

Low-Life 1959 Chevy Impala

Satisfying a whole slew of challenges is this rendition of the classic Munster Koach by Ralph Savelsberg. 7 year old Susie noticed that her dad has some grey hair. Meanwhile 49 year old Jim noticed a first grey hair…on his kid.

Munster Koach

Next Ralph demonstrates that like the fanny pack and the abacus, the Wagon Estate is a thing of the past. This type of car was killed by minivans and SUVs. Sometimes its all in the name: call them pants and you're young and cool, but call them slacks and you old and hopelessly uncool indeed.

Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

Vinny Turbo chimes in with the Bugster for the "Only In America" Challenge. Red Rover, Red Rover, send grandpa right over…ah to hell with it, I need a nap! You kids get the hell off my lawn!

Photo not available. 

Prozac, hide-n-seek, a good boob job, circus peanuts, some god damned peace and quiet for once; these are the joys of 7 year olds and 49 year olds the world over. Also Vinny Turbo shows some love for a custom car called Piston Ivy.

Photo not available.

Is that all of them? Holy crap, I think it is! Wow, I do believe that was a participation record. Kudos to all y'all then. And what did we achieve this time? I crapped my pants, mortified the Queen of England, goaded Brothers Brick, told the Lansing Lugnuts to go screw themselves and made a slew of off-color jokes about childhood and aging. So how is that different from every other roundup? It isn't, come to think of it. But boy, oh boy am I glad its over with! Now we can move on to a little challenge we like to call Like, Totally 80's…all about 80's era cars, bikes and trucks. Will there be Yugos or that strange abomination called Le Car? God, I hope not! But to know for sure, you're just going to have to wait and see. Tune in next month, same bat time, same…ah, you get the idea! Thanks for making LUGnuts the best LEGO group in the history of the world ever. Now get outta here, youse guys! Go build something, damn it!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Only In America...Roundup

There have been well over 80 build challenges at LUGNuts and never have we had one strictly about American cars...until now. Welcome to a little roundup we call Only In America where we build accordingly, then reap the rewards with your unrelated comments about Canadian meds and girls gone wild. Speaking of things that only happen in America, I'm still reeling from BrickCon earlier this month. Now I have sworn to the Brotherhood of All Things Awesome that what happens at BrickCon stays at BrickCon, so sadly I can't publish the photos of AFOL heartthrob, Gary McIntire getting jiggy with a potted plant. But, since I have the secret-keeping ability of a 10 year old girl, in no particular order, here are the top 10 things said at BrickCon. Next thing you know,

1-  2000 spider eggs have spawned from your ballsack!
2-  When I become president I will spearhead the department of some god damned peace and quiet
3-  Growing up I thought my dad was Superman until I realized he was just a drunk in a cape.
4-  I'm glad I didn't have to look at the other passengers in coach.
5-  (Inset famous LEGO designer here) once unwittingly gave me a hug while I had a boner.
6-  Americans have Kentucky, we have New Zealand.
7-  Nevermind how I lost my pants, how I lost my hat is the interesting story.
8-  First one who passes out gets a dick drawn on their face with a Sharpie!
9-  Seriously, dude, have you ever known the touch of a woman?
10- A hangover is just the universe's way of saying...you were awesome last night!

There you have it. Now with that taste in your mouth, here is the roundup.

New guy chrisbuilds lives up to his name somehow with this slammed hot rodded, Chevy C-10 pickup. He tells us he's used every single black 1x3 slope in his collection to build this truck. I know how you feel, dude. Wait 'till you discover "Cracklink". You'll literally have 1x3 slopes coming out your ass!

IMG_0988

Knowing full well what that is like is Brickdater with this quintessentially American '69 Chevy Corvette in blue. I've dated bricks before and I've found I'm more partial to dating milfs in yoga pants. They're both the cause and cure to all my problems.

low_level_three_quarter

And speaking of the cause and cure to all my problems, holy cripes, is it Peter's turn already? Yep, it is. Sit back, relax. Get yourself a donut and maybe a bourbon. Aussie engineer and world's most prolific builder, Peter Blackert pounds out a slew of renders starting with this tribute to me: a custom blue ledsled.

Linotopia - Blue Velvet - 1950 Mercury Lead Sled Coupe

At least he knows the secret to success: repeatedly sucking up to the boss! Its a lesson the rest of you can learn from as evidenced by this other homage to my big, giant head, a '57 Pontiac Safari wagon called Black Widow.

Linotopia - Black Widow - 1957 Pontiac Safari

Then leaving me in the dust like a drunk sorority girl, Peter goes with something not an homage to me, but rather a Buick's 1970 GSX with a 360 hp 455 CID V8. Peter tells us it was a high point in muscle car performance...or something.

Buick GSX - 1970

Then he gets all technical on our asses and tells us something only an engineer would care about: The world's first production V-16 in 1930 led through to the Cadillac Series 90 of 1937. Shown here in Limousine form. Engine was a 452 CID (7.4 litre) V-16 on a massive 154 in (3,192mm) wheelbase.

Cadillac 1937 Series 90 V-16 Limousine

I once drank 7.4 litres of cognac. Probably. I don't know, everything after the sword fight with the ringleader of a midget prostitution ring was all a blur. But I do know Peter rendered a pretty cool 1932 Auburn TWELVE Boattail Speedster.

Auburn TWELVE Boattail Speedster - 1932

 Aside from sucking up to the boss and geeking out over engine specs, just like a bad wedding singer, Peter is a good sport and takes requests. Someone wanted him to build a 2015 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe and, by golly, he answered the call of duty!

Dodge Viper GTS - 2015

Synonymous with failure but chock full of period style is this 1958 Edsel Bermuda wagon. I'm not the only one Peter sucks up to as, with this render, he shows a little love for Ralph Savelberg and Misterzumbi. Now that's sweet!

Edsel 1958 Bermuda Wagon

Once again Peter proves to be a good sport, you ask and you shall recieve, as evidenced by this 2015 Ford Mustang. You all should try it sometime. Ask for a render, see what he comes up with. Its better than the creepy balloon clown at the park. You ask for a giraffe balloon animal and instead you get a pink sword.

Ford 2015 Mustang S550

Knowing all about creepy pink swords, its a wonder I function at all. Back in the day, I built a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop Coupe Police Cruiser and Peter renders this Lino classic nicely here.

Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop Police Cruiser - 1953 (Linotopia)

Going down his own path, Peter reminds us of America's long lost past with this classy white 1937 LaSalle custom speedster.

LaSalle 1937 Custom Speedster - (by Hollywood Coachworks under Frank Kurtis)

Another classy blast from America's past is this 1953 Kaiser Golden Dragon Hardtop, which sported real gold plating. He tells us Kaiser later became AMC. Wait...this later became the AMC Pacer?! What the hell were they thinking?!

Kaiser Golden Dragon Hardtop 1953

Next on the Peter slab he renders a 1931 Marmon SIXTEEN Roadster hot rod conversion by 'Hot Rod Garage' of Oklahoma. Wait, never mind that, you mean to say Kaiser later became AMC, which is responsible for such bombs as the Marlin and the Gremlin?! Dude, that blows my freakin' mind!

Marmon SIXTEEN  Roadster - 1931 (Hot Rod Garage of Oklahoma)

What has three eyes and a helicopter engine? The Tucker 48 Torpedo, another bit of US automotive history that went belly up in spite of all their best efforts. Next Peter will tell us that Tucker closed shop to later become Saturn motors or something.

Tucker Torpedo - 1948

Another sad reminder that great automotive companies don't always survive is this 1449 Hudson Commodore Eight. Hudson later closed down to become the makers of Tidy-Bowl toilet cleaner. Probably.

Hudson Commodore Eight - 1949

One of the advantages to not picking up an actual LEGO brick in years and instead rendering everything you do in LDD is you can build a 1936 Cord 810 Phaeton in what was called Curry color back in the day. Tasty!

Cord 810 Phaeton - 1936

During the Great Depression, Americans struggled to make ends meet, but alas they still found the dough to design some of the most extraordinary cars to date. Among them was the1933 Duesenberg SJ Arlington Torpedo Sedan, known as 'Twenty Grand'.

Duesenberg Rollston SJ Arlington Torpedo Sedan - 1933 - 'Twenty Grand'

Now twenty grand just might get you a prostitute that used to be (or still is) a dude or a used Toyota. Or maybe the original mint in box LEGO Hobby series 394 Harley-Davidson 1000cc Police Motorcycle set from the mid 70's. The mind reels with how to best invest the money. Or just recreate it yourself as Peter did here.

Lego Hobby Set #394 Harley Davidson 1000cc

Is that all of Peter's? I think so. Thank God! Now I can get on with the rest of the roundup with ease…or…um…damn it! Taking a page from the book of Peter is Tom Netherton who, not quite sure how these monthly challenges work, decided to dump every American car he's ever built starting with this '46 Dodge Power Wagon.

1946 Dodge Power Wagon

Next on the Tom slab is the 1956 Ford F-100. Tom assures us that no American challenge would be complete without it. Its just as American as the Statue of Liberty (built by the French) and french fries (the french, having nothing to do with that, apparently).

1956 Ford F-100

Perfect for slow moving police chases is the Ford Bronco. Now that's something you don't see anymore. Slow moving police chases. Oh, that and the Ford Bronco. Now they're just called SUVs.

Ford Bronco

Next Tom tells us that the 1969 Camaro SS is American muscle at its finest. Oh I don't know, I'm rather partial to the Pinto. Explosive action abounds!

1969 Chevy Camaro SS

A bit of overlap here, but Tom also builds a chopped Merc, this one with a flaming paint job.

1951 Mercury Chopped Top

You'd think an advantage to using LDD is the infinite amount of "pieces" you can have access to. Tom likes to use a limited selection as evidenced by this rather blocky 68' Dodge Charger, the year before the General Lee made the charger famous.

1968 Dodge Charger

Next Tom pounds out the quintessentially American Jeep CJ. I recall watching a 60 Minutes bit about the Jeep CJ easily tipping over when making a sharp turn or just sitting in the driveway.

Jeep CJ

Wait, now he's not even trying! This boxy blue sedan is not a Lincoln Continental or even an Aries K. Its  what he calls a 1965 Ford Mustang. Yeah, not to be that guy, but in comparing this to the real Mustang, looks like Tom needs to make better use of the LDD vast parts selection.

1965 Ford Mustang

Using almost the same parts selection, Tom renders the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado, which was the pinnacle of mid-70's drug dealin', ho' peddlin', fur coat wearing, coke snortin', breaking a pool stick over some sucka fool's head luxury.

1976 Cadillac Eldorado

Or you can just do all of the above in a 1969 Chevy C10 Camper Special for all I care. Whatever floats your boat. I stopped caring like six entries ago. Bring on the milfs in yoga pants!

1969 Chevy C10 Camper Special

Is that all of Tom's entries? No there's like three more. Lets persevere through them, shall we? Get a load of this Chevy Bel Air.

Chevy Bel Air

Not to be outdone by another Chevy Bel Air convertible, which is exactly the same as the previous Bel Air 'cept without a roof.

Chevy Bel Air Convertible

And finally here is a 1932 Ford Coupe. Insert your own prostitute who used to be a dude, tipping over in the driveway, breaking a pool stick over some sucker's head jokes here.

1932 Ford Coupe

Cripes! OK, onward and upward! Ralph Savelsberg has been doing a series of movie cars lately and first up is the star from Vanishing Point, a benign looking white Dodge Challenger that has a super-charged monster under the hood.

Vanishing Point Challenger (4)

Another creation of Ralph is a relatively unassuming yellow Camaro that also has a monster under the hood, as well as under the trunk lid, side doors, fenders, and roof. The whole thing transforms into Bumble Bee. Its a feat of engineering, is what it is. More cars should do this in real life. Somebody get on that!

Bumblebee (3)

I've met Firstinfantry at BrickCon and if anyone owns a gun rack, its that guy! He renders us a '77 Ford LTD for the volunteer fire department. Gun rack not included.

1977 Ford LTD

Next he renders a '72 AMC Matador as a Sheriff's car. The gun rack is probably included as well as donut holders in the doors and 70's era nudey magazines in the glove box. No one shaved anything back then.

1972 AMC Matador

Speaking of service vehicles, Lino Martins builds a Vanbulance. Being an American, I know we have so many of these, you can't throw a 70's era nudey magazine without hitting a Vanbulance. Actually they never existed. The original was a Monogram model kit designed by Tom Daniel in 1974 and, as far as I know, was never made into an actual car.

Vanbulance

Well known for chromed out trucks…and sometimes bikes, Dennis Glaasker graces us with this early 2000's Road King Classic custom bagger Harley Davidson in snowy white. Cuz an all-American challenge just isn't complete without a Harley. And also references to 70's era nudey mags.

Harley Davidson Road King 'White Noise'

Sometimes these jokes just write themselves. Sir Manperson tells us…not much else say 'MURICA than a Rat-Rod flatbed truck with unhealthily placed exhausts and the visibility rate of blindness. Truer words could not have been spoken! Thanks for the easy copy/paste option, Sir Man.

Flatbed Rat Rod - rear

Is that all of them? Holy crap, it is! Over all, that was a pretty good round up, I think. I got a little tuckered out there for a bit, and as a result, distracted by milfs in yoga pants, but I think it went well. We learned that you really can get jiggy with a potted plant, spiders really can lay eggs in your ballsack, the Ford Bronco is perfect for slowly outrunning the cops after a double homicide and all police cars in the 70's came equipped with donut holders and nudey mags. This is all vitally important information for your next, tea party, prison riot, or job interview. Besides a slew of your ignorant unrelated comments about Canadian meds and pyramid schemes, what does the future hold for this blog? Well, it turns out next month is our ever popular birthday challenge, a good excuse to build anything from previous challenges throughout the year or even LUGNuts history. The challenge is called LUGNuts Turns 7…or 49 in Dog Years! We've had a slew of birthday doozies entered so far, so what will the rest of the month bring? I guess you'll have to tune in again next month, same bat-time, same bat-channel, to see for yourself. Until next time, lets see some yoga pants!