A passionate team behind the creation, led by global expert Ryan McNaught, whom is a LEGO® Certified Professional, used more than 320,000 LEGO® bricks in the build of the replica but undrivable hot hatchback and took over 1,300 hours with a team of nine assembling each section brick by brick. Ryan expressed some exciting but technical challenges in building the plastic Type R, due to the car’s unique shape and its design elements that have attracted award recognition worldwide.
He stated: “We’ve loved the challenge of this project. The car is shaped with a considerable amount of curved lines, which make it a tough but interesting build, when using largely square plastic bricks. From the working lights and indicators to intricate LEGO® Honda logos, the detail on the model has been a fun one for us to work on.”
The constructers were helped by a steel frame that supports the structure of LEGO® bricks, all glued together and built completely by stock standard pieces. The car ‘comes to life’ with the help of an iPad which turns on the headlights, DRLs, fog lights, hazard lights, brake and reversing lights. It was built from the ground up, layer by layer. The most challenging elements of the build were the window wipers, due mainly to their fragility, and the back spoiler which needed an additional structure to allow it to float.
The impressive build celebrates Honda’s support of the upcoming show LEGO® MASTERS, which will see eight pairs of LEGO® fanatics fight it out in a high intensity building competition. McNaught will judge the show alongside Australian radio and TV personality, Hamish Blake, as host (as you may have gathered by now, Channel 9 is an Australian TV show, although it is sure to be repeated on British TV in due course, due to the popularity of the Danish plastic bricks).
Stephen Collins, Honda Australia Director, highlighted: “Honda is a company that is all about creativity and innovation, so it’s great to support a family show that mirrors these ideals so potently. Through LEGO® MASTERS we’ll see some of the dreams of the contestants and also fans as they come to life; we’re proud to be helping drive that ambition.”
The Civic Type R was the ideal choice of the Honda Australia range to build due to its challenging lines, which lend themselves to one of the more rewarding driving experiences in the hot hatch segment. Mind you, as the Type R’s suspension has been described as ‘stiff as a brick’, perhaps the connection is more obvious than might be presued. The LEGO® Civic Type R will make appearances across Australia over the coming months. If you want more information, feel free to visit the LEGO® MASTERS page on Honda Australia’s website here. If you want to view a video of the build it is available here.
