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BrickMonkeyMOCs

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Everything posted by BrickMonkeyMOCs

  1. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Excellent work. While I would prefer a hollow rear wing and cars that fit a minifig, I can appreciate why you've sacrificed those here as you get a realistically low position for the driver's helmet, and very accurate overall shaping. I particularly like what you've achieved with the sidepods, and it's very interesting to see the difference made by properly sized front and rear tires. The custom sticker work is also impressive, especially on the Ferrari.
  2. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Here's a great comparison video from RacingBrick. I'll repeat here what I posted on the video, which is that I think Firas' MOC is off in small ways that can easily be modified (rear wing, engine cover, windscreen, etc), while the new official set is off in fundamental ways that will be very hard to modify and which affect the defining lines of the vehicle (staggered hood-to-windshield line, height and bulk of the rear end, etc). I think the MOC being a bit smaller also scales better with the Porsche and other cars in the line. I haven't modified the tail-lights on mine from Firas' design, but perhaps I should. I agree that Rastacoco's solution looks very good.
  3. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    It would be good to provide solutions in addition to finding flaws, but that is not a requirement for critical discussion. Yes, I can speculate as to how the proportions ended up as they are. But no-one designs a model out of proportion on purpose. They are likely the result of design decisions taken early on that became too difficult to correct once the model progressed. The poor proportions are clearly compromises, but they are not necessary ones as better models prove. Saying "may" is speculation, because you don't know. As it happens, there are better Countach MOCs that are not fragile and which do get the proportions correct. What claim have I made that doesn't hold up? The evidence of the incorrect proportions is proven objectively by the slide-tool posted earlier. I'm here to discuss the set, but you're not doing that.
  4. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Lego designers don't need you to protect their feelings. This thread is for critical discussion of the Countach set, and no-one has to provide solutions in order to point out the set's flaws. That said, some of the solutions are obvious and implicit in the criticism given - i.e. move the windscreen forward to be in-line with the hood slope, make the tail-lights smaller and lower the back end, and position the steering wheel higher. An issue though is that these seem to be fundamental aspects of the early design process, such that fixing them won't be easy and will likely require a massive redesign. The two superior MOC versions I've been highlighting are not fragile, so the poor proportions of the set are not the result of requiring a strong and enjoyable build. You're speculating there and once more making excuses for why the official set is less accurate than it should be. Again, instead of trying to police the criticism of others, you'd be better off highlighting and discussing the specific positive points you like about the set. I can recommend that. It's an excellent build, and makes a good base for further customization to overcome the limitations of building from just the Porsche parts. Mine now has a custom engine, engine cover, and spoiler to better match the classic early Countach this set is going for, along with several minor cosmetic tweaks. A trapezoidal windscreen is easy to fit in place of the rectangular Porsche one, but I think you'll find the new set's tail-light assembly too big to fit.
  5. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    The Lego design team and their oversight process are good, but they are not infallible. You'd have to be a diehard Lego fanboy to not recognize that they sometimes get things wrong. The objective flaws with this set already identified - hood/windscreen transition, taillight size, steering wheel position, etc. - are all things that could have been avoided, as proven by the existence of MOC versions that do avoid these flaws. Then there are also other more subjective factors, such as the color choice and cost, which are also entirely within the control of TLG. Cf. "There's no need for praise, because LEGO have produced a weak set. It will still appeal to some, obviously, but that doesn't make it a well-designed set. It just means some fans still like it", i.e. the above expresses a subjective opinion only.
  6. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Again, no-one's asking for perfection. It's just that this model doesn't achieve the same degree of proportional accuracy that previous entries in the product line have achieved. Based on the high standards set by their own previous products, the price here has gone up and the accuracy has gone down. At these premium prices it's not unreasonable to expect more than a 'resemblance' and the ability to recognize what car it is supposed to be. I don't think the compromises made here were at all beyond the design team's control. If you are still happy with it then that's fine, but there's no need to make excuses for them.
  7. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    As the posted slider-tool comparison shows, there are objective facts concerning the ways in which this model does not closely resemble the real car, especially from a side profile. It's not good form to assume your own positive opinion must be objective while those who disagree must be arguing from personal feelings, as the reverse could just as well be true. Again, the set has significant strengths and weaknesses, and we can discuss and recognize the objective aspects of these while differing on how much they subjectively affect our overall evaluation. It's not going to be constructive to tell those with negative views that they're not being objective. A far better approach is to highlight the objectively good details of the design that, for you, more than make up for its flaws. Tell people that you like the clean seam of the doors and their smooth operation, and even those disappointed with the model can agree. But tell them that they're being emotional rather than objective in their assessment then your comments aren't going to be well received.
  8. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Nice work. I'd take the middle version for sure, though maybe without the 1x1 cheese slopes in front of the rear wing end-plates (they look good, but a bit F50-ish). Your hybrid version really confirms how much the headlights and rear wing need fixing, and as much as I like red spoons, the half-round wing mirrors also look a bit cleaner.
  9. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    The more I look at the F40 the more I think it will need some modification. Maybe wedge some trans black cheese slopes into those headlight spaces. Reduce the rear wing from 2x6 to 1x6 while replacing the 2x2 curved end-plates with 1x2 curved slopes and 1x2 curved wedges. And while it's great that Lego can now print on the lower sides of the windscreens, I think it makes the window look a little too narrow in this case, as if it is squinting. Still pretty happy with what we're getting, though I'm curious to see the back of the car.
  10. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Yes, the F40 looks very nice. Bold choice with the headlights, but I think it works. I think I would have preferred trans black over clear for the glass though, to better match the Creator Expert F40. The minifig is a bit plain. I like that they got the inwards curve on the rear wing end-plates. And red spoons! The NASCAR looks okay, but that bonnet transition is rough and the livery is going to look awful if stickers are not applied.
  11. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I missed out on buying the 2021 76905 Ford GT as I wasn't yet sold on the 8-wide cars, didn't want the Bronco, and wasn't a huge fan of the blue/orange color scheme or the half-printed/half-stickered racing stripe. Since the Speed Champions theme really hit its stride in 2022 I've been collecting many more and I've always missed not having this one, so I decided to build a recolored version and then BrickLink for the parts. I started in all black, but then wanted to better highlight the teardrop body-shaping so I switched to making a black & white police version for better contrast. There are a few further minor tweaks from the excellent original Lego design, with changes to the bonnet vents, side skirts, engine, diffuser, and exhausts, and it can also be built with the spoiler either up or down. I've put Studio instructions on Rebrickable, and the parts list includes the few spares needed to build it all in plain black as well. (And if you're wondering where I got the black-printed windshield, it's from the 76907 Lotus Evija with the yellow stripe removed.)
  12. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    The engine cover wedges (#3504/3505) come in black now from the G-Wagon, but the 1x6 nose slope (#4569) isn't yet available unprinted in black.
  13. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    One doesn't need to be a designer to critique sets, anymore than they need to be a film director to critique movies or a chef to criticize bad food. People have every right to call something poorly designed or horrible if that is how they feel, and no-one is demanding scale-model perfection - we just don't think this one captures the real car proportions as well as previous entries in the product line-up (or other MOC versions). I don't think it is a very healthy approach to be exhausted or stressed out by the negative opinions of others regarding something you like, and you shouldn't have to ignore or avoid critical comments. You can read and understand them, and still either disagree with those opinions, or accept their points while liking the model anyway. Just as you could point out the many well-designed aspects of the set, while we can acknowledge them without finding them sufficient to offset the issues that have been pointed out. I for one really like those new rims - it is great to get a second hollow-rim design for better steering.
  14. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I remember your MOCs now! They were very accurate, and I'll be interested to see what you can do now with a full minifigure included. If you've kept those older ones built you might also try swapping the wheels/tires out for the new SC slicks. I did the same with my older 6-wide F1 cars this year, as while they are a little small on these 8-wide cars they're perfect for a slightly smaller model.
  15. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Thank you. I really like the 2024 McLaren/Aston Martin F1 design, so I wouldn't claim to have improved on that. My goal was just to make a Mercedes F1 car that would look better alongside those two than the rather blocky official W12. Getting the new AMR23 also gave me a second spare black spoon, so I've now swapped the wing mirror ice skates to spoons. Feel free to post your 2017-spec F1 cars here if you like. I'd be interested in seeing them. Sounds like a good plan. You might need to do some print-removal though to make use of the nose and engine cover elements. Could also be a challenge working in teal highlights, unless you're going with custom stickers for that. Either way, I'd like to see how it turns out.
  16. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Actually, I do. But I don't think that is a prerequisite for expressing one's critical opinions of a set here. That's fine, and you're welcome to express that opinion. Just as others should be welcome to express their more critical takes on the set. After all, that's what this thread is for. Apparently it was designed by Sven Franic, who designed the excellent BTTF Delorean set.
  17. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I don't think it's unrealistic to expect Lego to do better. They have done better with other cars, and other designers have already done better with the Countach. I've already built Firas' Countach MOC but I don't see why I can't still offer criticism of the new set. If it had been better I'd still want to buy it. What does withholding criticism achieve? And what damage is done by offering it? How can we expect better sets in the future if no-one speaks up when Lego gets something wrong? I don't see any advantage to the policy of "just shut up and don't buy it". Consider the Senna McLaren from this year - everyone spoke up about the wheels not being good enough, and I'm pretty sure Lego got the message.
  18. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I don't see how that's relevant. Zweifuss could be the worst designer in the world and that wouldn't make the new set any better or in any way detract from his valid and objective criticism. And as already pointed out, there are other Countach MOCs out there proving that the proportions can be done better while meeting Lego's standards.
  19. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Thank you. This proves objectively what my eyes were already objecting to. The windscreen-to-hood transition is the most noticeable failing (perhaps exaggerated by how the front fenders have been built up), but what your slider really highlights is just how chonky the back end is as it's just far too tall at the back (likely due to the oversized rear light design). I'm surprised the designer(s) didn't use a comparison tool like this during their design process. I know many are talking of using the set as a parts pack for a 911 build, but I'd really like to see a modern 2022 Countach built from this set.
  20. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I can share the LDraw file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16L-KonUcpTUzWeYbtsEr4WnYalgUF5U4/view?usp=drive_link The 2022 PDF you've quoted shows the parts needed in addition to the original set. The 2024 PDF has a 3-page parts list showing all parts used in the model, so to see what parts you need beyond the set, you'll need to subtract the set's parts from those shown.
  21. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Lego, what have you done? There's so much good design work going on in the details, but the overall proportions are awful. Particularly the front hood/windshield area which should be a near continuous slope. Instead the windshield is set back by several studs, giving a completely different look to the whole car (like a Countach and a Miura had a baby). Then there's the oversized rear lights and steering wheel at ankle level. Firas' Porsche B-Model is a far better Countach, as is ZetoVince's recent MOC (with instructions on Rebrickable).
  22. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I've just written reviews for the three new Speed Champions sets for HispaBrick Magazine. If you see any errors please let me know, and I can answer questions if there's anything people are curious about. I really liked the Lambo and Aston sets, but the Mercedes G-Wagon has some flaws. https://www.hispabrickmagazine.com/index-en.php
  23. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Cheers. Glad you like it. Yes, it uses parts beyond those in the set. A comparison of the parts list in the PDF instructions with those in the official instructions should let you know what you'll need.
  24. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    You're welcome. Thanks for posting.
  25. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    The front box art isn't presenting the most flattering angle, but it sure looks great in the other images. Certainly more appealing than last year's Huracan, and about time we got a differential. Was this model also going to be re-released later this year in white?
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