Bornin1980something Posted February 5, 2015 Although this build was inspired by a Series 12 CMF, I think it fits best in the town forum. It can be driven by other figures, and it is actually based on a classic town model, the van from 6350 'Pizza To Go' (called 'Mama's Pizzeria' in Britain). "Did the Special order a special" I have always assumed that the 6350 van was a Lego representation of a Japanese 'kei' van, a very small type of vehicle most common in Japan (where their very small dimensions and engine size allow for tax advantages) but also occasionally seen in Britain and Europe on very light duties (though they are less common than they used to be). The front-end has been extended and restyled, inspired by early 'kei' vehicles, and also old British forward control vans like the Commer PB. The roof has been raised to make up for the absence of an opening roof, and the 'Pizza Delivery Guy's' printed box forms the sign on the roof (there is no other branding of any kind). The original 6350 van's walkie-talkie has been replaced by a smart phone, a custom printed 'iBrickphone' from Fire Star Toys (pure Lego alternatives are available). The biggest changes are at the rear. Rear lights have been added, and the load bay has been enlarged, taking advantage of the raised roof. While the 6350 van could only just hold four pizzas, this van carries four in the lower compartment alone. The upper compartment can only hold one, and carries the most special pizza, the very spicy brown crusted Pizza of Resistance! "Jeff, don't! It has cheese!" It is just possible to wedge another pizza into the top of the lower compartment, increasing the van's capacity to 6, but this is not recommended. The large lower compartment can also carry other loads, like paaaaaaaaants! Power comes from a small underfloor engine, accessible by lifting up the drivers hinged plate seat. In the absence of an opening roof, the hinge also provides a novel way to get the driver in. While this van is based on a classic town model (which I never owned) I believe that, as a 'kei' van, it also fits into a modern 'City' scene, as it is supposed to be smaller than the other vehicles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningtiger Posted February 5, 2015 Cute, cool, classic town style.......Brick On with pizza 'Bornin1980something' ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steckley Posted February 6, 2015 I really like your design and especially appreciate the humorous pictures to display it. Great job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eurotrash Posted February 6, 2015 The large lower compartment can also carry other loads, like paaaaaaaaants! Yep, I confess I LOLled at that.... Good looking microvan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vindicare Posted February 6, 2015 (edited) Great idea with the hinged seat. Edited February 6, 2015 by Legocrazy81 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gazumpty Posted February 6, 2015 Great wee detailed design....and your photos really bring it to life! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carrera124 Posted February 6, 2015 Very well done (4w rules ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Andy Posted February 6, 2015 I like how it looks like a classic town vehicle. I would just remove the smartphone tile, because it makes the model out of the classic town time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bornin1980something Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Thank you all. I never expected to receive seven replies for such a small and simple model. Maybe product placement in 'Where Are My Pants' is the way to go! Great idea with the hinged seat. The original idea came from the hinged bonnet often used by Lego in the 80s. Unfortunately, such sets were no longer sold by the time I started collecting as a child. I first saw it at school, in a set enjoying a second life in the educational 'Dacta' range (6660 Hook & Haul Wrecker). Frustrated at missing the feature first time round, I eventually determined to give my Lego vehicles accessible engines whenever possible. It was only after I completed the model that I found it was also useful as a way of loading the driver (since the hinged roof is no longer manufactured, I did not want to 'waste' any if I could possibly avoid it). I like how it looks like a classic town vehicle. I would just remove the smartphone tile, because it makes the model out of the classic town time. You may have a point, especially as the 60s retro styling and red and yellow colour scheme hark back to an even earlier era. In truth, the smartphone was a late addition. I just didn't want the walkie-talkie hanging outside. I will still be mostly keeping the van as it is, but nothing is kraguled. The phone tile can be removed. For full classic town look, the CMF driver can also be replaced by a more generic figure. That said, I actually like to mix classic town and city as much as I can. I still hold on to belief that City is a legitimate continuation of Town (more so than Town Jr was). Since most Lego vehicles are not very detailed, and not based on specific prototypes, it is possible to mix them more freely than other models without so many worries about scale or era. As I said, this van is a kei van (or microvan) and I think it fits quite well among the modern vehicles without looking underscale. Here is the final photo I wanted to show, with the van in a modern City scene. Edited February 8, 2015 by Bornin1980something Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bradleybrand Posted March 29, 2015 Cute, old school looking kind of Lego car. Great work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
