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Vagabond

Model of a classic hotrod. Features full independent suspension, rear axle drive, functional steering wheel, V8 piston engine, openable doors and custom stickers.

Datasheet:

Completion date: 26/07/2009
Power: electric (Power Functions)
Dimensions:  length 51 studs / width 30 studs / height 22 studs
Weight: 1.78 kg
Suspension:  full independent
Motors: 2 x PF Medium, 1 x PF XL

I have previously created a numer of variations on the ever-popular hotrod theme, until recently, having bought the Technic Racing wheels with the substantial help from donors, I have decided to finally build a classic hotrod. It was inspired by a number of hotrods built for the drag racing, and especially by the Wild Thing based on a Chevrolet Independence.

My important point of reference was my own model built eight months earlier, called the Flamboyant Hotrod. I wanted to explore the direction it set, that is a relatively small, short vehicle with curved sides, but this time I wanted it to look much more realistic. I was so pleased with the final effect that this is actually my first hotrod without the word “hotrod” as the part of its name – I felt that the type of the car is finally clearly apparent.

The front part of the vehicle was kept as simple as possible, and I think it served it well. The V8 piston engine was fitted with a large front fan and two side turbines – all of them moving together with the pistons. It should be, however, noted that I cared little for the realism of the engine design, so it has some features of a real engine, but is mostly made up. Since the engine was complex, and the drive motor was located far from it, I decided to do something very inappropriate and use an extra motor only to drive the engine. It is a blessing in disguise that both motors are coupled and hence both have their speeds controlled remotely, which looks particularly spectacular for the engine.

The cabin houses a drive motor, two IR receivers and the 8878 rechargeable battery, along with a simple interior. Both doors are openable, and the receivers are located at the rear windshield, under the roof, which causes some difficulties with the model’s remote control. Two notes about the cabin’s look: firstly, the rear part of it may look odd, because I intended it to appear as if the rear mudguards have been removed along with the adjacent body panels. It was actually the only way to fit the rear suspension and big rear wheels in. Secondly, the cabin is entirely black and only decorated by stickers. That is because I wanted the body to look sort of shabby, and the stickers seemed the only way to obtain that.

The suspension system is based closely on the solutions from the 8448 set, with rear axle driven through a differential of a new type, with a bracing I have developed some time before. The rear axle was also deliberately made wider. The steering system is quite typical, with a safety clutch and a functional steering wheel. The transmission system is trivial, and consists of a single PF XL motor, a single gear and a single differential. Since the motor already required much space inside the cabin, and I had the speed-control enabled handset at my disposal anyway, I didn’t feel it necessary to make it any more complex. Finally, the 8878 battery is located in the trunk, and it’s small dimensions are very useful here. There is a small flap on the side of the trunk that allows to turn the battery on or off.

The model, which took me only one week to build, enjoyed a good reception. Despite the technical simplicity, it was acclaimed for its classic look and for its impressive piston engine.

Photos:

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Video:

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  1. Sariel
    February 12th, 2012 at 21:02 | #1

    @dzikus
    Ani trochę. To są te opony, dużo większe: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=22969c04

  2. dzikus
    February 12th, 2012 at 20:59 | #2

    Czesc, jaki jest rozmiar opon z tylu? Czy to sa opony takie same jak w zestawie 8070?

    Pozdrawiam
    P.

  3. Sariel
    February 6th, 2011 at 09:00 | #3

    @will
    I can’t really say at the moment.

  4. will
    February 6th, 2011 at 00:52 | #4

    do you think that, in the future, you will build another hotrod?

  5. Sariel
    December 27th, 2009 at 17:02 | #5

    @Wl-45
    Try looking through this website, it may help.

  6. Wl-45
    December 24th, 2009 at 01:38 | #6

    Hey,can you show me how to make a drive train or a differential or something, thanks. nice hot rod

  7. Sariel
    December 14th, 2009 at 15:57 | #7

    @joalegofreak
    I have no idea.

  8. joalegofreak
    December 14th, 2009 at 15:39 | #8

    what is its max speed?

  9. Sariel
    September 7th, 2009 at 22:28 | #9

    @Julian
    Go ahead, you don’t have to ask to use it.

  10. Julian
    September 7th, 2009 at 22:25 | #10

    Very nice.would u mind if i used you suspension ideal?

  11. legokid
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:40 | #11

    ok thanks I think your relly cool

  12. Sariel
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:20 | #12

    @legokid
    Just from around, I guess.

  13. legokid
    August 23rd, 2009 at 17:08 | #13

    Sariel WERE DO COMME UP WHIT ALL YOUR LEGO CRIATION IDEAS?

  14. Sariel
    August 14th, 2009 at 20:11 | #14

    @kama12811
    Ja też nie, ale ważne że są 🙂

  15. kama12811
    August 14th, 2009 at 17:44 | #15

    ja nie wiem skąd czerpiesz takie świetne pomysły

  16. Adi
    August 14th, 2009 at 11:56 | #16

    Thanks I finished the steering
    but now I have to focus on the back wheels.

  17. bob
    August 11th, 2009 at 20:49 | #17

    wow man this is a neat hot rod.i like black as a color it compliments this type of car

  18. Sariel
    August 10th, 2009 at 11:13 | #18

    @Adi
    That’s why you have to use gears for reduction. If you understood what gears are for, you would know.

  19. Adi
    August 10th, 2009 at 10:54 | #19

    I know what gears do but every time I turn the moter left the whels turn left, then if I turn right the wheels turn right. The moter is to fast for me to put it in the middle.

  20. Sariel
    August 10th, 2009 at 09:43 | #20
  21. Adi
    August 10th, 2009 at 09:29 | #21

    Somtimes, but I don’t really know what they do or where to put them.

  22. Sariel
    August 10th, 2009 at 08:44 | #22

    @Adi
    I mean there are two sets of 8-teeth gears driving 24-teeth gears. You do use gears, don’t you?

  23. Adi
    August 10th, 2009 at 03:31 | #23

    What do you mean by reduced 9 times?

  24. Sariel
    August 9th, 2009 at 19:23 | #24

    @Adi
    Yes.

  25. Adi
    August 9th, 2009 at 13:05 | #25

    Did you use rack and pinion steering?

  26. Sariel
    August 8th, 2009 at 09:47 | #26

    Safety clutch simply uses this part in the steering system: http://peeron.com/inv/parts/60c01
    It prevents any parts from breaking when the motor reaches the maximum steering lock. If you can’t go straight then perhaps your problem is inaccurate steering because of small gear reduction. Steering in Vagabong was controlled by a PF Medium motor reduced 9 times.

  27. Adi
    August 8th, 2009 at 01:24 | #27

    hey
    im making a rc car but i am having trouble with the steering, i used the rack and pinion steering i can go left and right no problem but i can not go straight. i was wondering how you built the steering on the Vagabond, and i was also wondering what a safety clutch is.

  28. Sariel
    August 7th, 2009 at 18:08 | #28

    @legobuilder
    Well, I’m still testing and improving the chassis. We have a next race at the September’s beginning, so I’ll have to get it ready by then.

  29. legobuilder
    August 7th, 2009 at 17:43 | #29

    very nice model but I cant wait to see the alvis stalward:( when do you publish them?

  30. Sariel
    August 1st, 2009 at 21:10 | #30

    @SarielROX
    I simply used the 24-teeth clutch gear.

  31. SarielROX
    August 1st, 2009 at 18:37 | #31

    This thing is amazing! How did you make the safety clutch steering? I’m making an RC myself.

  32. Sariel
    July 30th, 2009 at 13:09 | #32

    Bez nich było jakoś tak goło.

  33. Brydol
    July 30th, 2009 at 12:29 | #33

    Fajnie, fajnie tylko… po co mu rury (żółte) z tyłu? 🙂

  34. buildabot
    July 28th, 2009 at 11:12 | #34

    so cool,awesome and good as!

  35. July 27th, 2009 at 11:35 | #35

    dude you always make the best of creations you are my inspiration for everything i build the only problem is i can no longer afford any parts anyway awesome hotrod and by the way what is the background music (song)

  36. July 27th, 2009 at 11:12 | #36

    Fajowy hot rod!!!

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