LEGO Technic - Old Style Truck Platform

[Paul B Technic]

Some builds are great as they are. Others invite you to go one step further. That’s exactly what happened after I built the Old-time Tow Truck, a C-model of LEGO Technic 42173 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut designed by the very talented "alter-lego".

If you’ve spent any time exploring C-models in the Technic community, you’ll likely have come across alter-lego’s work. Their designs consistently manage to transform a single set into something that feels completely different from the original model, while still making clever use of the available parts.

The Old-time Tow Truck is no exception. It’s a charming, characterful truck with great proportions and some fun mechanical features. The design really captures that classic “old work truck” aesthetic that Technic sometimes does so well.

But after finishing the build, I started looking at it a little differently.

Rather than seeing it purely as a finished model, I began to see it as a platform.

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Turning a Great C-Model into a Platform

The original tow truck is already a strong design, but with a few changes it can easily become a base vehicle ready for modifications, attachments, and experimentation.

Here are the changes I made.

Front End Improvements

The original model used front mudguards that were attached using half pins. While functional, they felt a little temporary. I removed them and redesigned the front slightly, adding a new side and front bullbar, which gives the truck a more rugged, utilitarian look.

This small change really altered the character of the truck and made the front feel more solid.

Removing the Tow Assembly

Since my goal was to create a base platform rather than a dedicated tow truck, the tow arm was removed entirely. This opens up the rear of the vehicle and creates space for other functions or attachments.

Colour Clean-Up

Like many C-models, some compromises are unavoidable when working within the parts of a single set. I swapped out a few pins and panels for different colours where possible to make them blend into the model more naturally.

It’s a small detail, but it makes the truck look much more cohesive.

Rear Tray Installation

With the tow arm gone, the truck needed something in the back. I built a new rear tray, turning it into something closer to an old-style work truck or utility vehicle. This also has two rear mounting points, which will allow me to secure attachments without impacting the looks. It also has a bar across the front of the tray, which will allow attachments to slide under, ensuring they are both secure but also easy to remove, this has been an issue with some of my other builds, so this was an area I spent a lot of time on to get it "right".

This was one of the most satisfying changes because it really reinforces the idea of the truck being a working platform.

Lighting and Mounting Points

To finish things off I added:

• Front headlights
• Rear mounting points for future attachments

Those mounting points are the key feature here. They turn the model from a finished truck into something much more interesting: a modular base for future builds.

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The Joy of Improving a Model

One of the things I love most about LEGO Technic is that a model is never really finished. You can always tweak something. Strengthen something. Redesign something. Add a feature you wish it had.

Working on this truck reminded me a lot of being a kid again. Back then I was constantly rebuilding sets, modifying them, and trying to make them “better” in my own way. It was never about keeping a model perfect, it was about experimenting and seeing what else it could become.

This project captured that exact feeling. Starting with a well-designed C-model and slowly adapting it into something new is incredibly satisfying.

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What’s Next?

The Old Style Truck Platform is now exactly what I hoped it would be: a solid base vehicle ready for experimentation.

With the rear mounting points now in place, the obvious next step is to start designing attachments.

Ideas already floating around include things like:

• A cherry picker arm
• A small crane
• A recovery unit, with multiple functions.
• Utility trays or tool racks

There’s something really fun about creating a vehicle that can evolve over time, and this truck feels like the perfect starting point.

So keep an eye out, this platform may soon be getting a few new accessories.
 

 

 

 

 

https://paulbtechnic.blogspot.com/2026/03/lego-technic-old-style-truck-platform.html