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Lego vintage cars (20's 30's 40's 50's 60's)

GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
edited June 2019 in Collecting
Hi, 

Is there a list of sets that contain cars like from the 30's?

And what from what era are the cars from the latest Christmas Fire Station, or the Corner Garage?

Best regard

Laurens
Brickchap
«13

Comments

  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,787
    I really do not think that LEGO intended 'era's for their vehicles because LEGO is timeless (yes, I know the modulars have hints of older years, but still)

    I would say one theme that did have cars of that era were the Indiana Jones sets, as that is when Indy is set around (I think 20's, 30's, and 40's) So there is one. Another may be the pharaoh sets that were around a little while ago as well (just do not have the set numbers handy), but I think they are a bit earlier in time frame.
    gmonkey76Gallandr
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    Some of the LEGO Racers are based on '30's era hot rods.  But I'm assuning you're looking for minifigure-scale vehicles?

    The tow truck is a generically styled '40's era.  It looks more like a Ford, and not the high-cab Dodges and Chevys of that era.



    SprinkleOttergmonkey76madforLEGOGallandrcatwranglerMynatt
  • milambermilamber Member Posts: 637
    The Penguin Arctic Roller is a pretty good version of a car from that era. Wouldn’t take much adaption to make it more realistic 
    Gallandr
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    Wow, great stuff already, thanks! 
    This is more 50-60's? https://brickset.com/sets/40083-1/Christmas-Tree-Truck

    I am on the stuff from Indiana Jones. Will try and get the Tow truck above.

    Anyone moc'ed the limousine from Palace Cinema? It is also that area of the 30's, correct?
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    Finally some fellow old car fans!

    Ok so I actually attempted an article on all old vehicles in Lego sets (minifig scale and within the last 10 years), never got around to it.

    Obviously for 30s theres the whole winter village line of vehicles.

    Also theres the truck in the Overwatch Dorado set. All one has to do is replace the train wheels with the 'old car wheels' (the ones used on the WV vehicles) and change the blue headlights to yellow or clear. (plus obviously removing the hover things and payload)

    Indiana Jones is a good recommendation. Theres also the car in the SDCC Superman set referencing the 1936 Action Comics.
    The limo is said to be a 1941 Cadillac but would be fine as 1930s.

    Lego Adventurers has lots of old cars, or at least great pieces to build them. Theres even a set with a very good DH 9 (ww1 2 seat biplane. I know your not interested in planes but I thought Id mention that too.

    Stretching it a bit theres a 1940s style half track in the Swamp Police Hovercraft set.


    @SumoLego I was hoping the CG tow truck would have a bonnet like that picture you attached. (great photo btw). However the actual official truck is probably more early 50s maybe 1949 Mack styled.

    Heres hoping the modulars continue with old vehicles and return to 30s/40s era! (since even if the 'official' time period is 1950s there would still be plenty of older cars driving around.

    I was also hoping to get some old cars from Fantastic Beasts, pity that never happened.

    GallandrCaptainLego
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    O and Lego Police Dog Unit (2014) had a hot rod in it that can be easily modified to become a regular 1930s ute.
    GallandrM1J0E
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    That black limosine from the Palace Cinema is again a 'generic' version of what resembles at 1956 Cadillac Parade Limosine





    I think the pronounced hood is meant to reflect the lines of the Cadillac.  It really doesn't look like a Chysler Phaeton limosine.
    Gallandrgmonkey76BrickchapmadforLEGOguachiAanchirGothamConstructionCo
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    Great, thanks Brickchap!
    I would check to convert the limo more towards the SDCC set you mention, as the limo itself was not really well received.

    The gangster truck in Indiana Jones, https://brickset.com/sets/7682-1/Shanghai-Chase, I think it looks great to make a police wagon of it.

    What era would be the fire truck from the modular range?
    BrickchapSumoLego
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    edited February 2019

    But, given that the LEGO limosine doesn't have conspicuous tail fins, it could be a late '40's Chrysler Phaeton limosine.
    gmonkey76BrickchapmadforLEGO
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    The fire truck from the modular Fire Brigade most resembles a 1940 Seagrave pumper, but there are similar Mack and Ford fire engines.  I think we have to remember that LEGO isn't outright copying the design.


    .
    Brickchap
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    @Gallandr Great idea re the police wagon! Were you going for American or British and/or Continental European setting for these vehicles?

    The firetruck from FB is undoubtedly this above 1940 Seagrave although I seem to remember the designer video saying the lego one was 1930s but of course the exact year doesnt matter.

    Btw, I think the PC limo is a combination of both the Cadillac and Chrysler. Its definitely the Cadillac chassis but I think the front and rear are far more reminiscent of a Chrysler phaeton.
    SumoLegoCaptainLego
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    They really ought not to 'copy' a vehicle without appropriate licensing (if applicable).

    Either way, I think the '30's is probably a decade too old, just as much as the '70's would be too modern.  
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    Here is some great resources for building old cars and just some good photos of real ones.

    The first link is the IMDCB for Agatha Christie's Poirot (a great murder mystery show btw) that is set from 1920s to 1930s Britain as well as quite a few locations around the world. There are tons of cars here (in alphabetical order by make eg Austin) and although predominately 1920s and 30s theres also a few 1950s and obviously Edwardian era ones too. I saw a police van in their somewhere. There is also a wide variety of companies, American, British, French, Italian etc.

    If one scrolls down there is also steam trains, planes and ships/boats as well. The IMDCB has the vehicles for pretty much any movie or tv show ever made, so if you remember a film with a car that you would like to MOC or just like as a real car, just search it on IMDCB.


    This link is for Downton Abbey for some Edwardian era cars. (also some 1920s)


    Finally a flickr page of some lego old car MOCs by someone called EROL (1920-1940 era)


    Just as a matter of discussion though, Ive found that when searching for inspiration from other MOCers most lego old car MOCs tend to be very detailed and capture the  exact make of car, but also be rather complicated, likely fragile and use rare pieces.

    Thats not necessary a bad thing, I personally just like to build cars with 'regular' pieces and that would (theoretically) be able to go in a System set. I usually try and stick to the Creator WV/modular standard.




    CaptainLegoGallandr
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    edited February 2019
    Hachiroku24 recently uploaded this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ausOxSy_9Dg&feature=share

    The car in question is actually a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet. The movie used a replica, but it can easily pass as an original.

    I also have a pair of pre-war Bugatti MOCs from this era as well: Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe and Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. I’ll try to upload pictures when there’s daylight outside. It’s hard taking pictures of black when its nighttime.

    BrickchapGallandr
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    edited February 2019
    @CaptainLego Thats a great MOC. Maybe not the absolute best to capture that specific make of car but its easy to build and looks good.

    It would be awesome if you did a MOC of this: The offical name is an alfa romeo 8C 2900B spider. (1937)












    CaptainLego
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355

    CaptainLego
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    Wow, that replica from the Indiana Jones movie is just awesome. Wonderful how they did the doors. I will try that one out. Thanks CaptainLego!

    Will try out this Alfa Romeo in Moc, if I succeed. I love Alfa, have a Giulietta myself, so excellent suggestion!
  • IstokgIstokg Member Posts: 2,363
    For really old cars (and not in Minfig scale)... are the old 1970s Hobby sets of a 1909 Rolls Royce #395, a 1913 Cadillac #390, and a 1926 Renault #391...









    AanchirGallandrmadforLEGOpxchris
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    @Brickchap I like that Alfa. I’ll consider that one.

    Here are the two Bugatti MOCs that I mentioned:



    GothamConstructionCogmonkey76BrickchapGallandrBaby_YodamadforLEGOandhepxchris
  • AanchirAanchir Member Posts: 3,037
    Istokg said:
    For really old cars (and not in Minfig scale)... are the old 1970s Hobby sets of a 1909 Rolls Royce #395, a 1913 Cadillac #390, and a 1926 Renault #391...
    Classic sets like this are a big part of why I'm often bewildered to see stuff like the Creator Expert cars or Speed Champions sets as part of the generalization that "LEGO is becoming too license-dependent".
    Pop culture media licenses like Star Wars are certainly still a relatively recent thing within the LEGO System, having only been around for 20 years. But when you consider sets like these ones that went with the Town Plan and related sets, it's not inaccurate to say licensed LEGO vehicles are an even older part of the LEGO System than brick-built ones!
    LyichirIstokg
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    @Istokg - are those older sets identified/marketed as those particular automobiles?  (My guess is tjat they are not licensed - strictly speaking.)
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    @CaptainLego
    That full black one is perfect to adjust towards the Alfa, with some dark green into it. Wonderful to see!
    CaptainLegoBrickchap
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    Aanchir said:
    Istokg said:
    For really old cars (and not in Minfig scale)... are the old 1970s Hobby sets of a 1909 Rolls Royce #395, a 1913 Cadillac #390, and a 1926 Renault #391...
    Classic sets like this are a big part of why I'm often bewildered to see stuff like the Creator Expert cars or Speed Champions sets as part of the generalization that "LEGO is becoming too license-dependent".
    Pop culture media licenses like Star Wars are certainly still a relatively recent thing within the LEGO System, having only been around for 20 years. But when you consider sets like these ones that went with the Town Plan and related sets, it's not inaccurate to say licensed LEGO vehicles are an even older part of the LEGO System than brick-built ones!
    I’ve never seen anyone mention Creator Expert sets or Speed Champions when that generalization comes up, so this is an interesting comment to see.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454

    gmonkey76LittleLoriGallandrSprinkleOtter
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454

    LEGOFan2SumoLegoguachigmonkey76GallandrGothamConstructionCo
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,940
    Would the truck from https://brickset.com/article/42196/review-75972-dorado-showdown count? I could see that retro-fitted with some actual wheels.





  • AanchirAanchir Member Posts: 3,037
    CaptainLego said:
    Aanchir said:
    Istokg said:
    For really old cars (and not in Minfig scale)... are the old 1970s Hobby sets of a 1909 Rolls Royce #395, a 1913 Cadillac #390, and a 1926 Renault #391...
    Classic sets like this are a big part of why I'm often bewildered to see stuff like the Creator Expert cars or Speed Champions sets as part of the generalization that "LEGO is becoming too license-dependent".
    Pop culture media licenses like Star Wars are certainly still a relatively recent thing within the LEGO System, having only been around for 20 years. But when you consider sets like these ones that went with the Town Plan and related sets, it's not inaccurate to say licensed LEGO vehicles are an even older part of the LEGO System than brick-built ones!
    I’ve never seen anyone mention Creator Expert sets or Speed Champions when that generalization comes up, so this is an interesting comment to see.
    I don't see it so much here on Brickset, but definitely on Eurobricks. Sometimes specifically framed in terms of such sets being the reason more fanciful racing sets like those in the Racers and World Racers themes don't exist anymore.
    Licensed Technic vehicles are also sometimes cited as examples of licensed sets supplanting more original ones, though back when Racers was a thing it had its own fair share of licensed Technic vehicles like #8145 and #8461.
    SumoLego said:
    @Istokg - are those older sets identified/marketed as those particular automobiles?  (My guess is tjat they are not licensed - strictly speaking.)
    Yes, they are. The boxes and/or the back of the instruction manuals listed the brand, model year, and even statistics about the real car. Many such sets in the Hobby Set theme even had stickers with the names/logos of the brands in question.
    Honestly, in a lot of respects the use of real-world branding to establish a sense of authenticity was often the norm prior to the 90s. Compare also how many pre-9V LEGO trains had sticker sheets with the names/logos of a wide range of European railways, how most gas stations and/or fuel tanks before 1992 had Esso/Exxon/Shell colors and branding, and how "real world" space sets like #367 and #1682 had United States and/or NASA stickers instead of generic, in-house branding like the later Launch Command and Space Port sets.
    sid3windrstluxCaptainLego
  • IstokgIstokg Member Posts: 2,363
    Yes the Hobby sets had the company name on the box sides in huge letters as well....


    SumoLegoGallandrstluxdmcc0LittleLoriAanchir
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    Makes me wonder how those licensing agreements came about...

    'We'd like to make a Cadillac LEGO set.'
    'Okay.'
    'Thanks!'
    'I hope you sell a bunch, and it gets our brand out there.'
    dmcc0SprinkleOtter560HeliportguachiBaby_Yoda
  • blokey9blokey9 Member Posts: 245
    somehow, i think there would have been more to it.
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,229
    This is all pre-Star Wars super-licensing nonsense.  I'm sure both companies were happy for the added exposure.
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    Since this topic is about 30s cars, I hope nobody minds if I share what I was experimenting with earlier...



    Bugatti Type 55.
    BrickchapGallandrmafonLEGOFan2Pitfall69LittleLori
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    @CaptainLego Great work so far! I really like what youve done. What piece did you use for the rounded bit underneath the end of the rear running board?


    LEGOFan2
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    Brickchap said:
    @CaptainLego Great work so far! I really like what youve done. What piece did you use for the rounded bit underneath the end of the rear running board?


    That’s an inverted curve slope, but it’s no longer there.

    I’m waiting on these wheels in LBG and additional parts because a couple of things had to be temporary disassembled, but here is the end result.


    eMJeeNLBrickchapBumblepantsGallandrLEGOFan2Pitfall69LittleLoristluxsid3windr
  • eMJeeNLeMJeeNL Member Posts: 789
    edited March 2019
    Well done! Spitting image of an early Bugatti.
    BrickchapCaptainLego
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    eMJeeNL said:
    Well done! Spitting image of an early Bugatti.
    Thank you  :)
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    edited March 2019
    I wonder if LEGO would ever do more cars from the pre-WW2 era for Speed Champions. They would probably need a new tire for that, as the current thin ones are too off road looking.

    Unfortunately, the may play it safe and avoid Germany’s Silver Arrows from the 1930s, but cars like the Mercedes-Benz SSK, Bugatti Type 35, and the Bentley Blower were fast for their day. The Silver Arrows were absolutely insane, so if they go down that route, I hope they consider it. The 1937 Mercedes-Benz W125 had 592 horsepower, while its successor, the W154, still had a potent 483 horsepower.

    (Also, I’ve started another 1930s car MOC.)
    Brickchap
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    @CaptainLego Id thought of speed champions too and its about time they did a 1930s racing car (from any country).

    Perhaps a modern ute (or more preferably an old one) with a trailer and one of those racing cars would make a good set. (similar to the ford raptor and hotrod one)

    An even better set would be a raceway with 2 to 3 racing cars and a 1940s style tow truck, maybe even an old camera like the one from town hall for the press. (and not forgetting a 1930s-1950s era petrol pump!)

    Its also about time they did a 1950s 'cigar' style racing car.

    Its annoying (and somewhat peculiar) how speed champions primarily avoids regular civilian cars (for any era) or trys to 'race-ify' civilian cars (such as the 1968 ford fastback) 

    It would be awesome if lego did a speed champions subtheme, Speed Legends with lots of old cars.

    Btw, Why would lego 'play if safe' and avoid a Silver Arrow? (like whats wrong with it, obviously theres the whole Nazi era thing but then Id think the mercedes would come under that as well)

    Looking forward to this new MOC of yours!
    CaptainLego
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    edited March 2019
    Brickchap said:
    @CaptainLego Id thought of speed champions too and its about time they did a 1930s racing car (from any country).

    Perhaps a modern ute (or more preferably an old one) with a trailer and one of those racing cars would make a good set. (similar to the ford raptor and hotrod one)

    An even better set would be a raceway with 2 to 3 racing cars and a 1940s style tow truck, maybe even an old camera like the one from town hall for the press. (and not forgetting a 1930s-1950s era petrol pump!)

    Its also about time they did a 1950s 'cigar' style racing car.

    Its annoying (and somewhat peculiar) how speed champions primarily avoids regular civilian cars (for any era) or trys to 'race-ify' civilian cars (such as the 1968 ford fastback) 

    It would be awesome if lego did a speed champions subtheme, Speed Legends with lots of old cars.

    Btw, Why would lego 'play if safe' and avoid a Silver Arrow? (like whats wrong with it, obviously theres the whole Nazi era thing but then Id think the mercedes would come under that as well)

    Looking forward to this new MOC of yours!
    In hindsight, it probably wouldn’t matter for the car itself. However, we don’t know what LEGO thinks. They might be hesitant due to the era, or they might give us a Silver Arrow or two if they go down that route. I want them to do a Silver Arrow or two.

    Thanks! The MOC in question is a 540K Special Roadster.
  • AanchirAanchir Member Posts: 3,037
    SumoLego said:
    Makes me wonder how those licensing agreements came about...

    'We'd like to make a Cadillac LEGO set.'
    'Okay.'
    'Thanks!'
    'I hope you sell a bunch, and it gets our brand out there.'
    While I'm sure there was more to the contracts than that to ensure that the brands in question weren't misrepresented, LEGO definitely was not new to the licensing biz at this point.
    In fact, last year's Ferguson tractor model from the LEGO Inside Tour was a recreation of one of their first big successes in plastic toys, and was a licensed model of a British tractor. That license in particular was spurred by that tractor's real-life equivalent of those tractors becoming extremely popular in post-WWII Denmark and LEGO wanting to leverage a brand that was suddenly recognizable to kids.
    As far as 1930s racing cars go, I'm not too knowledgable about any real-life models, but it did strike me while trying to build Legend of Korra MOCs on LDD a few years back that LEGO doesn't really have too many of the type of spoked wheels and narrow tires anymore that are suited to a lot of cars from that era — unlike the era of the Hobby Sets pictured above, when quite a few of their wheel elements were designed with that very style in mind!
    BrickchapCaptainLego
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    Here’s my 540K Special Roadster. This thing is large, just like its 1:1 scale counterpart :)



    I’m glad I was able to get the front horns on the build. I based this off of the car that sold for nearly $10 million back in 2016. The luxury cars of the 1930s are gorgeous sculptures on wheels. 

    @Gallandr I hope I’m not hijacking your thread by posting some of my MOCs. 
    BrickchappxchrisGallandrLittleLori
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    @CaptainLego, no way, loving it man, giving me ideas )). Keep on posting that goodness.

    PS: how can we rename the topic name, more to classic cars in Lego?
    CaptainLegoBrickchap
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    Gallandr said:
    @CaptainLego, no way, loving it man, giving me ideas )). Keep on posting that goodness.

    PS: how can we rename the topic name, more to classic cars in Lego?
    Good to hear :) Most of my MOCs are European classics from the 1950s and 1960s. Jaguar D-Type, Jaguar C-Type, BMW 507, Porsche 904, Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, etc. 

    At some point, I do want to try my hand at a Bugatti Type 50 Coupe, a Bugatti Royale, a Packard Deluxe Eight, and a Duesenberg Model J. I love Packard and Duesenberg.
    GallandrBrickchap
  • ecmo47ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101
    Perhaps mentioned in the thread already but this guy is the master car builder.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/er0l/
    gmonkey76dmcc0pxchrisCaptainLego
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    I know these aren’t 1930s cars but Plymouth was founded in 1928 and Nissan/Datsun was founded in 1933. Does that count 😂

    I deviated from the usual European stuff to build a Japanese classic and an American muscle car. Thus, here is a Nissan Fairlady Z 432 and a Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible.
    datsunrobbiemadforLEGO
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    I got down to doing some cars. They are not true to reality, but fit in the scene.
    Basis was the cars from Indiana Jones, of which I adapted two, one a police car, and one a sports car for travel, with room for stuff, even cookie traffic ;). I also made the MOC car from Indiana Jones, but adapted it a bit with rear lights, and sturdier chassis (because else it can break more easily).
    Now I am making the bus from the Poirot series, that you guys shared the pictures of.
    BrickchapBaby_YodaLittleLorimadforLEGOstlux560HeliportCaptainLego
  • BrickchapBrickchap Member Posts: 1,355
    @Gallandr Awesome!!! I like the 'banana touring car' ha ha!

    I really like what youve done with the Winter Village fire station. If its okay with the discussion's creator I'd really like to see more pictures of that.

    Looking forward to the Poirot bus!! Btw, you probably already know this but I thought you would be pleased to hear that Hercule Poirot is Belgian (and very proud of it). Note, if your bus doesnt include a Hercule Poirot minifigure it doesn't count haha!
    CaptainLego
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    I started the thread, so yes ). But I still need to change a lot. There are many bricks that need to be added, or changed. I wanted to put two floors, but it would be too high. A bell in the tower too, but it doesn't give an extra there.
    BrickchapBaby_YodaCaptainLegosid3windr
  • CaptainLegoCaptainLego Member Posts: 385
    edited June 2019
    Oh hey, this thread is back. Perfect timing, as I have several more pre-WWII car MOCs since last time. Here are a couple. These are pictures I previously took.

    1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider(plus 33 Stradale). Admittedly, I kinda don’t like the fact that the fender skirt attachments make it have an eight wide rear, but it’s definitely the look I wanted. Two other MOCs, the Mercedes-Benz SSK Count Trossi and the BMW 328 Bügelfalte Roadster, have the same fender skirt attachments.



    Duesenberg SSJ LaGrande. The roof assembly has since been taken apart but it’ll return eventually. I think it needs to be a little different in that regard.


    I also have a 1909 Blitzen-Benz and a 1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type. My 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A is almost finished, and a Packard is coming. 
    GallandrBrickchap
  • GallandrGallandr Member Posts: 28
    @CaptainLego
    This is marvellous. Do you have the plans of the Duesenberg? I am trying to make a Citroen CV 11 Traction Avant, and could use your idea for the back wheel. Tnx!
    Brickchap
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