Nick Barrett's 1:8 Scale Honda NSX

[DLuders]

On MOCpages, Nick Barrett has detailed descriptions and pictures of his studded Lego 1:8 Scale Honda NSX model. Here are the highlights of what he wrote:

"I've modelled the T-bar version of this car - this has two roof sections that clip onto the centre rail or stow in the boot. The engine is a surprisingly modest 3.0 litre V6, transversely mounted behind the driver and featuring Honda's unique VTEC valve timing to allow a high specific output at very high revs. 276bhp was plenty for a car of this type at the time - top speed 170+ mph."

"Under the bonnet, you see the double wishbone suspension, a mechanism to raise the pop-up lights and, in a little present to Tom Simon, a functioning bonnet catch. Release this and the bonnet pops up a little on a spring, ready to be raised, then clicked shut."

"Interior - I'm quite pleased with how this turned out - it's pretty close to the look of the real thing and there's plenty of detail in here. In front of the lever for the 6 speed gearbox, the two knobs on the centre console are useful; twist the left one and the lights pop up. I wanted to pull the right one to release the bonnet catch but this idea would have raised the line of the bonnet - we'll have to settle for fumbling under the bumper to do it (just like on a 2CV!). The seats slide and recline, the handbrake moves and the glovebox opens."

"A view of the front with the lights up....Underneath at the rear, you can see the compact double wishbone suspension, built using only 1 UJ per side; pairs of gears tilt relative to each other as the wheels move, but never by enough to slip out of mesh due to shortish travel. Said gears are stacked vertically - you can only see the lower one from here. This is a variation of Tyler Reid's idea. The compact 6 speed transmission sits between and under the seats. The engine runs well in all gears - it revs like the clappers in 1st!"

"Under the front you can see that Honda do like their double wishbones - even Civics had them all round until very recently. The reason I've built the chassis using grey parts is simply that Honda built theirs entirely from aluminum."

[voltio]

What I love about this model is how the builder stayed true to early '90s building techniques while still capturing the essence of the NSX. There are more modern parts available--studless beams, metallic wheels, etc.--but it is apparent that the builder wanted to maintain a classic look, and I can certainly appreciate the results. The pop-up headlights look especially realistic, and the uni-bar tail lamp is faithfully re-created.

What really makes the styling work, though, are the subtle curves and scoops on the sides of the model, especially the front quarter panels. I doubt Lego was willing to try those techniques 20 years ago!

FYI: Nick has also built a stylish re-body of the classic 8860 chassis at http://mocpages.com/moc.php/215284

[prateek]

Amazing. I love how the hood is perfectly shaped. I could recognize this as an NSX from mile away. Awesome job, Nick!

[Sariel]

I like the old-school style, but it could use some cleaning.

[Zerobricks]

Nicce blast from the past kind of styling! Engine is really massive!