by norton74 | 31, Dec, 2022 | Latest, Top news
As usual it’s time to look back and take stock of what I’ve done in the past twelve months.
Alongside the usual building of new MOCs (scroll the images for a deeper look and enjoy) 2022 marked a very special goal to me as my A-Frame Cabin has been selected to become an official LEGO IDEAS set, I still can’t believe it. It’s almost time for the release of the A-Frame Cabin set and I can’t wait any longer… Stay tuned in a few days LEGO will release the set and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Massive thanks to all for your continued support, it’s always much appreciated & never taken for granted.
We’ll talk soon, stay tuned and keep up the good work!
by norton74 | 23, Dec, 2022 | Builds, Latest, News
As usual some extra photos of my latest work, the tribute to master Miyazaki straight from a very snowy Tokyo.
The diorama is basically composed by the dark bluish grey building plus a couple of trees, small plants and a bunch of details all around.
If you want more details about how I built Hayao’s studio in Tokyo let’s click here and jump into the the Autumn edition of the diorama.
This work was very well received, thanks to everyone for the enthusiasm.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
by norton74 | 13, Dec, 2022 | Builds, Latest, Top builds
A few months ago I built the personal studio of Hayao Miyazaki, Japan’s greatest animation director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, best-loved of all the Japanese animation studios.
Now it seems that it snowed heavily in Tokyo, so much so that Hayao is walking in snow with his snowshoes and with his Husky.
A pair of skis are already loaded on the Citroën 2CV, heading towards Mount Fuji!
楽しい時間をお過ごしください
Back in 1998, Hayao Miyazaki designed and built a house for his production company, called Nibariki. This house is located nearby Studio Ghibli’s main building. Nibariki means 2 horsepower in Japanese and the name is a clear tribute to the beloved Citroën 2CV that the artist has been driving for more than forty years.
Above you can see both Mr. Miyazaki’s new office and his Citroën 2CV. And of course our beloved masterful storyteller too.
Miyazaki bought his first 2CV as a university student in the early 1960s. It was a right-hand-drive model, imported from the U.K. and painted bright yellow.
A 2CV first appeared in Miyazaki’s first feature-length film, 1979’s The Castle of Cagliostro. An action-adventure tale involving a mischievous gentlemen thief, the well known Lupin III, and featuring multiple car chases, including the heroine, Clarisse, escaping in her 2CV.
Miyazaki’s current Citroën is a 1987 2CV 6 painted in light gray and is exactly like the one you see in my latest creation.
by norton74 | 6, Dec, 2022 | Builds, Latest
Antiquated looking outhouse is my latest creations with its California reddish brown wood cab, side lanterns, old fashion horn and a furry seat. Replica of the California Show Car of Bob Reisner which was shown on tours and in leading Car Magazines back then. The model is based on a 1924 Ford Truck Body with a 289 cubic inch Ford Cobra Engine.
The Outhouse has been on my wish list for a long time. It is my fourth Show Rod and it joins the Beer Wagon, Fire Truck and Paddy Wagon I have built over the last few years.
If you are into Hot Rods don’t miss my previous interview with Chuck Miller, the car designer behind the Fire Truck and Tom Daniel creator of the Beer Wagon and many others Show Rods.
“There was a time before I was born and into my early childhood in which Show Rods were a thing. This is where automotive customizers with lots of imagination pushed the limits of what a hot rod can be. Anything from a bed, to a wine barrel, was fair game, and esteemed LEGO builder Andrea Lattanzio captured one such Show Rod nicely here. It is the “Outhouse” originally dreamed up by Bob Reisner in 1969, probably while sitting on the throne where frankly most good ideas come from. I mean, as outlandish as this seems to be, it has practical applications when you consider that you can do your business while still making good time to your destination. Just wash your hands, which I presume you’d have to do at your sink-themed Show Rod sold separately. This is Andrea’s fourth trip to the Show Rod loo; the previous being a Fire Truck, Beer Wagon, and Paddy Wagon. While you’re already sitting in the place where you do your best scrolling anyway, why not check out these hot rods from Andrea and other like-minded friends who can’t be bothered with building a boring Toyota Corolla.”
(“ Now you can go while on the go” The Brothers Brick – December 9, 2022)
“This time the phrase is more than metaphorical! Built by previous bloggee Andrea Lattanzio, this is the ‘Outhouse’, a Ford V8-powered toilet-in-a-shed based on a 1924 Ford truck, as constructed by hot rodder Bob Reisner during the bizarre novelty hot rod scene. Wooden handling and the aerodynamics of, well… an outhouse aside, this TLCB Writer is rather enamoured by the practicalities of Bob’s creation – you’d never need to use a highway services restroom again! Take a dump on the interstate via the link above!”
(“ Built Like an Outhouse” The LEGO Car Blog – December 7, 2022)
by norton74 | 9, Nov, 2022 | Builds, Latest
As with the Guardian of the Abyss, I also made a very “spooky” version for my latest Haunted A-Frame Cabin. With this background it looks even scarier and honestly I love it.
I have also added some extra photos that show the details and some curiosities of my latest work.
Hope you like and ejoy!
