1969 Dodge Charger R/T
My first supercar-class model. Features full suspension, remote drive & steering, remotely elevated rear axle, remotely opened doors, lights and custom stickers.
Datasheet:
Completion date: 27/12/2010
Power: electric (Power Functions)
Dimensions: length 75 studs / width 26 studs / height 20 studs
Weight: 3.507 kg
Suspension: front – double wishbone / rear – live axle
Propulsion: 2 x PF XL motor geared 2.33:1
Top speed: 0.91 kmph
Motors: 3 x PF Medium, 2 x PF XL, 1 x 71427, 1 x micromotor
I have been making attempts at my first supercar for quite a while now. First I started with Lamborghini Reventon model, then I’ve ran into some problems building a supercar that large and complex, so I decided to put it on hold and build something simplier, just to gain experience. ‘Something simplier’, however, turned out to be a strenuous piece of work, largely due to my decision to use studfull body. I have chosen to model a car with relatively simple silhouette – the classic 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, a fine example of the muscle cars era.
I should start by saying that I’m not fully happy with how the model turned out. The original Charger’s silhouette is shaped by subtle curves, which I have simplified to the point of building a box on wheels. The model is very heavy and slow, and it was a great lesson of the tricky things about the supercar models.
It turns out that motorized supercars are quite a challenge. Unlike trucks or military vehicles, they have little internal space to use for mechanics and even less space for a bearing structure. The problem is that the cabin’s interior is usually taken and so is the engine bay, which leaves only the car’s floor to fit the frame in. The Charger is built around a studless frame, which, reinforced as it is, can’t possibly hold it together alone. Extra stiffness is provided by the body of the model, which is massive and prevents it from bending. It takes a special way of holding to carry the model without damaging it.
Aesthetically, the model has a number of drawbacks. As mentioned earlier, it lacks subtle curves which make the original car distinctive, and it also lacks the central ridge on the bonnet. The cavities in the doors are modelled very roughly and the front grille is recessed less than it should be. Additionally, the wheels are no less than three times wider than the wheels of the original Dodge Charger.
Technically, aside from its low speed, the model has a number of well working features. The most noticeable one is probably the headlights rotation mechanism, driven by a single micromotor, which tilts the headlights modules to make them open up or close, just like in the original car. When the headlights are fully opened, the micromotor stalls. Due to its silent operation and minuscule power demand, stalling it is less of a trouble than including some sort of a circuit breaker. The rear lights shine through a layer of 2×1 thin trans-red plates, which creates an interesting effect.
The doors are being opened by a motor located in the floor between the front seats (hence the lack of a gearbox). The motor uses two separate worm gears (without clutches, as they proved to yield too quickly) to open both doors simultaneously. Rather than integrating the doors into the studless frame, I decided to make them part of the studfull body, with standard hinges, and open them by means of small horizontal levers. Due to use of the worm gears, it is not possible to handle the doors by hand.
The rear suspension, which is based on a live axle with 4 links, just like the one developed here, can be elevated. This is a feature present in some sport cars to provide a more favourable weight distribution when needed. The elevation is done by moving the base of the rear suspension’s shock absorbers by a single linear actuator driven by a PF Medium motor. The whole mechanism takes a lot of space, including the space where the trunk should be, and the single actuator is clearly struggling against model’s weight.
The building process, as mentioned before, turned out to be very strenuous and highly discouraging. If I’ve been hesitating between building studless and studfull supercars before, this experience has certainly convinced me to prefer studless. Therefore my next supercars will be most likely built in the way of modern Lego supercars, which includes a studless lightweight body built around a studfull frame – an exact opposite of how this model was built. I hope it will also make building them more enjoyable.
Work in progress photos:
Photos:
I mean in your book, the blueprint of the crane was so messy. What did you write?
@Old Man Jenkins
I keep checking it until the model is done.
What do you do after listing out the functions, and the scale on the blueprint?
@Tzvetelin
All you need is a Power Functions Extension Wire.
@Sariel
well the “general lee” from the dukes of hazard was an 70’s charger so thats where this idea came from
@jan
Independent would be better. Still, off-road Charger sounds like an odd idea.
@Sariel
but for off road performance which would do best?
@jan
It’s up to you, but I think independent would be technically accurate.
hey paul , im trying to make an offroad 70’s charger which kind of suspension should i use in the front pendular independant of none? im trying to make it fast! , thanx in advance
@Zoltan
No, of course not. There is no building instruction for this car anywhere, and my book doesn’t include instructions for my models at all.
Hello!
I just wanna ask you is your book contain the building instructions of this car? Because it’s simply amazing! Thanks for your answer!;)
that is awsome look wise speed wise it is heavy but remove the door opening egine and have the doors manualy open it would go a little faster
@Sariel
I found a way to watch it with the addon ProxTube
Ok
@Mecho12345
Check the instruction for the 8297 set, it’s the same method.
Ok thanks. Sorry if I sound really dumb but how did you connect the pf lights to those round bricks you used as headlights?
@Mecho12345
Here: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=22969c04
The diameter is 10 studs.
Wow cool moc
What wheels are they? And how big are they (studs)
@technikfreak
Read this and stop asking things that have already been answered: http://sariel.pl/faq/
how do you do plans (http://www.sariel.pl/downloads/ ) ????
@Victor
Yes.
@Sariel
so all your model car kits are from revell?
@technikfreak
NO.
@technikfreak
is there a chance to see it ???
😕
@technikfreak
Because of YouTube.
why i can´t whatch the video 🙁 (i am german )
@David
Good for you. I can’t afford even 4,000.
@Sariel
Well its at 40,000 right now
@David
You’re asking me how much I want for your car? That’s an interesting way of forming questions.
I have a Dodge Charger 1969 How much do you want for it?
Also by looking at the model I built I got the idea of parts I needed.
It took me a while to get an idea of the parts I needed by going to brick link I just wanted to see if there were instructions.
@Ty
There is no instruction. And by the way, how do you know you have all the parts if there is no parts list either?
Hey so how do you build it I have all the parts I just need the instructions
UUUAAAAAAHH!!!
I cant watch this Video in Germany 🙁
But i think, that is a very nice car. One of your best ever ;D .
Sorry if my english is bad.
@Tzvetelin
With magic.
Hi, nice car : )
How do you connect 71427 with the PF system?
Thanks
@Ruben wynia
Font suspension is very much like the one in the Lego 8448 set, and the rear one comes from this: http://sariel.pl/2009/01/sandrail/
can you made a download for suspension front end back? I don’t now how to made it end I really need it.
Jesteś moim idolem! xD
Nie no, nie żeby aż tak ale świetny ten Dodge. Wielki szacunek. 🙂
@Sariel
oh well, thanks anyway 🙂
@Mr.M
No. I removed it from the final version of the model.
can you post instructions for the driving ring switchbox in the centre of the chassis? Plz reply soon.
@logan
I don’t know what pieces you have, it’s hard to judge based on motors alone.
your awesome sariel Ive got six motors 2xl and 4 medium what do you suggest I make with htem I was thinking of a tow truck tri axle and twin steer (moding the crane truck chassis and putting a seven speed gaer box in there and I was wondering what do you think of my Idea.
awesome. as always
Ok, thanks!
@MonstaBoy
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=5119-1
Thanks, but did it come in a set?
If it did, what was the item number?
@MonstaBoy
Bricklink.
Very cool, great detail. Like the engine.
Where did you get the motor that turns the lights?
@Oli
I removed it later.
What was that in your 1st work in progress picture? I thought it was a gear box, but obviously not, did you remove it later?
@noniusz
You’re wrong.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but do I see 2-speed gearbox, gears can be changed by some PF motor?
Hi,
I’m not here to comment Sariel’s MOCs.
I just would like to say that I know Nico71 for 4 years now, and he is someone very respectful.
It is certain he didn’t wrote this stupid message on Crowkiller website.
I also think that some people were not very smart either to criticize his creations (Nico71 steals other people works… What bullshit ! O_o) for what they thought he said. Whatever he may say (or not say…), he is very talented, and probably more talented than all the people who criticize him.
Anio
@Sariel Yes, the person who have make this destroy my reputation, follow the links on eurobrick to read the TRUTH : http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49353&view=findpost&p=895043. And hope people don’t hate me, I am just a honnest builder, built anf fun is my motto.
@Nico71
Sorry, I didn’t know this, and other people probably thought it was you too.
@Sariel WAIT, the person who write on my name on your website Crow is not me ! Never I will say a thing like this, so be sure that is to me and that person have stolen my name. Also, You see that this english is perfect and mine is not, so please people who read this, It’s not me on the comment. I will contact crow to delete this comment.
@Nico71
I certainly wasn’t offended by your comment. It seems to me that you upset some people with your remarks on Crowkiller’s recent car.
All my work is inspired, as all work from other people, I didn’t stolen anything, just re-work to include in mine creation. Who are you to said that I am a novice or a pro ? I don’t consider me as a pro, just a builder who likes built and help people. And if you take some time to check my galery, you will see that supercar is a fraction of my work. You like or you dislike, I don’t mind, I always credit the ideas from other builder, never steal.
@Aleks And that is the point you don’t understand : criticize is not like “that is shit”. I repesct Paul and paul respect me, I like this creations and I think he likes mine. I criticize because I think it’s the better way to improve the works (and you will note that I point also the good point on this model). It always surprise me that people don’t understand the difference between the criticize and dislike. Dislike is not criticize, criticize is a form of respect to say I like but some point deserve to by improve, no offend to the builder. So to clarify : Paul : Did you feel offended by my comment ?
@ralph Hum you said, I pass the age to be jalous, I respect Paul and his creations, just said I don’t like the design, the next will be better beacause in studless and I’m sure Paul will be manage to. but I notice that no one is autorized to critizism, even if it’s for a better creations.
hi sariel
great car.
your models are all very sophisticated.
but i am so sad, i can´t watch the youtubevideo of the car…
thanx for your inspiration
christian
@Tom
Most of its weight comes from the body, not functions.
I know you wanted to keep this model functional,and you did a grea t job.
but for a car like this i would rather sacrifice some functions for some speed
just my opinion
@Sariel
Fine, thanks!
@bejuizb
I don’t think the damped absorber without a spring is going to work at all.
@Sariel
fine fine, one last question, what is the difference between a damped shock absorber with a spring and one without a spring, can we use bot for gullwing or scissor doors?
@bejuizb
Dude… I can hardly think of a store that does NOT have studless parts. They’re pretty much everywhere.
@Sariel
Fine, my bad, could you suggest some stores then?
@Aleks
Chill guys, I don’t mind being criticized.
@Nico71
Obviously sariel knows that his model would not be very fast from the start of the build with the weight, so why do you need to point this out? It is strange to me that sariel credits you as being an inspiration to him when clearly you are not nearly in the same class with him as a builder.
@Ruben
There are suspension systems shown in the Ideas category at my website, and some instructions in the Downloads section. Help yourself.
i want build a car with suspension but i don’t no how. can you show it????
bye, srry my english is not very good. you have nice cars build.
@chandu
It’s a 4×4 dish with a tire put around it.
@Paul Boratko Yes, that is why motorized supercar is an no-sens. Supercar must be manual, TLG know it.
@bejuizb
Er… reply? Bricklink stores aren’t supposed to reply, you just go in and buy things, and these parts are present in about any store.
Hi i wanted to know from where you get your studless parts from, i have tried in many stores in bricklink and ebay, but they dont seem to reply at all. If you could help us all by telling which stores you get your parts from, it would be great!
@Sariel
no, your model’s engine. i mean the thing on top of your engine, the disc like thing….i hope thats a carb
That’s just unbelievable beautiful. I hope your coming book contains some instructions to build these magnificent models. I would buy them all 🙂 And I’m sure that many other would too!
Who does Nico71 think he is? He talks in appearance that he is some kind of master builder who is worshiped by thousands when he is nothing but a novice who steals ideas from top builders of the world and go around leaving rude remarks on better builders message blog. You look at his supercars and you see that they are mostly stolen ideas from other builders like Kuipers and Borotka. He is a jealous amature. Sariel, your models are fantastik!
@chandu
You mean the plastic Charger model? It’s Revell’s.
Amazing! I love the front lights! And the details of the engine……Amazing!!!!
Please tell me where you got the carb from…..
thanks!
i can’t make good models out of lego only knex (price) but i think you should try really hard to make a light vehicle with lots of power to go fast. only an idea but i can tell it will be pretty hard! (still love it though but why did those cars have to have rasiable suspension?)
@Nico71
Merci beaucoup, Nico. My next car will be studless for sure, except for the chassis. Heureuse nouvelle année a toi!
Let’s be realistical here… Large Lego Vehicles can’t move very fast with the motors that Lego produces and even IF they did make larger more powerful motors, the plastic gears couldn’t handle the torque anyways…
@Sariel
oh, yes, thanks!! 🙂
The Black/Yellow color combo really complements this great design. Very Very impressive model.
To slow but good functionnalities ! Spite of the design I dislike, to heavy, to bulky. For a first studfull supercar, it’s good, next will be better !
@Mike
Ok Mike, I will add some underside photos shortly.
@Owen
The rear suspension is identical to my Sandrail’s one, a link to which is in the description.
@Marq
Drzwi otwierają się naraz. Następne supercary będą, mam nadzieję, dużo lepsze 🙂 szczególnie że raczej odpuszczę karoserie z klocków i poeksperymentuję z nowymi panelami.
Ach bym zapomniał ten model to bardzo dobre zakończenie 2010 roku. Szczęśliwego nowego roku!!
Z tego co czytałem to zapowiedż twojej lini supercarów. Boję się spytać jak będą wyglądać następne. Auto świetne , bok jest trochę płaski ale z doświadczenia wiem że niestety z klocków nic więcej nie wymyślimy więc odpuszczam. Mam natomiast małe pytanie, dzwi otwierają się pojedyńczo czy wszyskie naraz?
It would be great if u could take a few pictures of the rear suspention. Thanks legoman104
I like the rotating headlights and the elevating rear axle! Even though you may not be entirely happy with the results, it is better than 99.9% of us Technic fans could do. Thanks for providing the detailed photos and video. Have a Happy and prosperous New Year!
Hey, slow? When driving a car like that you need to be seen so low’n’slow. How else can Lego Girls be picked up by cool Lego-dudes driving that car. This way Lucius can also keep up… Nice work again and have a good 2011, new models (ahum, finish your wishlist first I guess), new inspiration, a lot of time left to lego around and hop this year a good new book will hit the shelfs… Thanks for keeping me in the loop with your work.
yet another amazing model, hey about the speed, dont worry ur other supercars will be much faster as they will be using technic panels which are lighter. also, removing the gear box was a good idea as it would have only kept the car behind, love the remote controlled doors.
maybe two suspension arms for each wheel in he front next time?
It so slow…
I cannot see the video :C but looks like its another really nice model
I think it’s very cool for a first supercar. I’m sure if later you’ll make a comparison like you did with the Dump Truck old and new, we’ll see the difference. Nice job, but it would have beennice to see the chassis from underneath. Can you post some photos of it please?