Book Review: “How to Build Brick Cars” by Peter Blackert
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The LEGO® Company has released many official replicas of popular vehicles, like the MINI Cooper and VW Beetle. For every one of these collector’s sets that gets released, however, there are a dozen other models that likely won’t ever make it to shelves. That’s why the LEGO Ideas forums are filled with gearheads’ interpretations of their favorite automobiles in brick form.
As both a design engineer for the Ford Motor Company and an avid LEGO modeler, Peter Blackert took matters into his own hands by designing LEGO replicas of a dozen beloved vehicles and compiling the instructions into the book How to Build Brick Cars so other LEGO automobile enthusiasts can build replicas of their favorite models using bricks from their own stashes.
How to Build Brick Cars:
Detailed LEGO® Designs for
Sports Cars, Race Cars, and Muscle Cars
By Peter Blackert
Product Details: Softcover, 192 pages, 8.75″ × 10.25″
Retail Price: $24.99 USA
Publication Date: October 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7603-5265-6
Publisher: Motorbooks, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group
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How to Build Brick Cars: Book Summary
Peter Blackert’s book contains directions for building 12 different vehicles out of LEGO bricks; the sets are grouped into sections meant for beginner, intermediate, and expert builders. The majority of models are supercars like the BMW i8 and the Bugatti Veyron, though classics like the 1932 Ford V8 Coupe and the 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda make appearances for some variety.
Each set of directions includes a page detailing all the needed pieces, then follows pictorial step-by-step, numbered building instructions nearly identical to the format used in official LEGO booklets. Blackert does use some unique symbols and techniques specifically for this book, so luckily he includes a guide on understanding the book in the opening pages.
Each set begins with a detailed, half-page introduction to the actual history and specs on the real-life model that inspired it, and concludes with images of what the set will look like when finished.
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How to Build Brick Cars: Book Review
I love LEGO vehicle sets, but were I to make my own, I would have no idea where to start. It takes someone who understands the intricacies of a vehicle’s design to be able to replicate it with plastic building blocks. Blackert’s new book provides detailed instructions on creating some awesome-looking reproductions of stylish supercars. Each set of directions is easy to follow, minimizes the use of rare/hard-to-find pieces, and even offers alternative pieces and ideas for modifications.
While its education on building your own LEGO cars isn’t as direct as the title implies, it teaches through example rather than lecture. Still, you might be able to glean some new techniques and adaptation ideas from Blackert’s own designs.
If you’ve wanted to expand your collection of LEGO sets on display by adding replicas of your favorite vehicles, How to Build Brick Cars is a helpful start. It picks a number of beloved models and adapts them into brick replicas as stylish as their originals.
How to Build Brick Cars is available through the publisher’s website, Amazon, and other retailers.
Product provided for review by publisher.
Aaron is unashamed to be a native Clevelander and the proud driver of a Hyundai Veloster Turbo (which recently replaced his 1995 Saturn SC-2). He gleefully utilizes his background in theater, literature, and communication to dramatically recite his own articles to nearby youth. Mr. Widmar happily resides in Dayton, Ohio with his magnificent wife, Vicki, but is often on the road with her exploring new destinations. Aaron has high aspirations for his writing career but often gets distracted pondering the profound nature of the human condition and forgets what he was writing… See more articles by Aaron.