Indy Transport
Set information:
Community rating:
4.6
(11 votes)
Theme:
Review's author:
 |
Place:
Poland
Joined:
2015, jan 21
Seen:
1d 22h |
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Views: |
13912 |
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Published: |
2016, dec 26 14:42 |
Related pages:
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BrickSet |
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Toys Period |
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Toys Period - instruction |
Introduction
LEGO decided to change promoted oil company from Shell to the fictional Octan in 1992 as I already mentioned in couple of previous reviews. This resulted in the release of a
series of new sets like racing cars, racetrack finish line, fuel tanker or petrol station. The new line of racing cars for the 90s received an interesting option in the form of a truck transporting three vehicles. Previous
line of racing bolids had no similar method of transportion, but this is
not the first time when such an idea appears in LEGO sets.
Several types of race cars has always been
promoted in released sets each year, as for example bolides, hot rods, dragsters or just gocarts. In 1985 a LEGO-1966-1 set was released, which had a truck with trailer for gocart transporation. It is indeed a one-level trailer, but the idea is the same. This set was limited and released in the Netherlands and Germany only.
Eight years later, in 1993, a new set of truck for gocarts transporation was released. The truck had a new wide tires already and the gocarts received additional cages in which they were transported. The idea was quite interesting, because a lifter was included with the set to move the cages. Three such containers could be loaded onto the trailer. As you can see, the idea for the transportation of racing cars was not new in 1996, but it concerned gocarts previously. In this case, however, we have something new, because this time the truck will be transporting bolides. The new racing series deserved a separate presentation in the catalog for 1996, which can be seen below.
The Truck
The vehicle consists of a tractor and two-storey semi-trailer. The wheels used here are of the new type - wide tires on larger rims. They were already pretty common in 1996. Introduced in the 1991 year they completely replaced the old narrow wheels in trucks, such as we can see eg. in a set of LEGO-1966-1. The truck's cabin has a place for the driver only. The compartment behind the cabin has a little space inside. However, two windows on both sides are located here, which may suggest that this is the resting place for the driver in the case of long distance transportation. Nevertheless, the figure will not fit there, so at most we can imagine such an usage.
Anyway, this compartment has some space and something extra can be hidden there, like tools or shortwave. That's not all, because at the back of the cabin a box is located, where two cones with red light on top were placed. It may be useful in case of problems on the road. One unique part was used in this set, but for decorative purposes. The chrome exhaust pipes which extend from the rear of the cabin and make the truck look even better.
The two-storey semi-trailer is quite interesting construction. 6 studs wide ideally fits new 5-studs racing cars. Two mechanisms are most interesting here. The first is the method in which the upper deck is supported. It is worth noting that there is completely no support at the end of the trailer. One specific brick was used here for support, which was used many times before to connect the cart or chariot with the horse. This brick is the part with number 2397. You need to slightly lift the upper deck and lower support to bring vehicles down. It may seem that it is a poor idea and very unstable, but it's not. The upper deck holds up very well and support is able to hold considerable weight. It is worth mentioning about the lock built out of ordinary hinge that prevents the first car on the upper deck against shaking.
The second mechanism is quite simple, but also interesting. Those are the red retractable rails which can be attached to the end of the deck, what gives the ability to unload the cars easily. They are kept in the bottom deck and can be expanded during unloading. It is worth noting that despite the interesting solutions, the designers have not created a single new part to do it. Everything has been created using existing bricks and in a very interesting way, which I think deserves recognition.
The trailer has a fairly substantial storage, where all the tools are kept needed for quick repairs or tires exchange. Lift and trolley for wheels can also be found here. In addition, there is room for three helmets. The drivers normally walks in peaked caps. The helmets are used during the race only.
Number of tools can be found inside as well. The usage of the inner part of the walls is interesting, where a number of holders were placed for six pieces of tools. Those are: wrenches, a hammer, a
screwdriver, a tank with grease and a screwdriver. In addition to the handles, there is a space for two spare wheels. All of these tools are enough to perform basic tasks such as quick tires exchange or minor repairs that can be done on an ordinary jack.
It's still not everything. Two handles are located at the front of the trailer, at which two fire extinguishers hangs. This is a standard equipment in every racing sets and even racing structures from 80s always had fire extinguishers equipped. They can be found eg. in a set of 6395-1: Victory-Lap-Raceway. It is not difficult to raise a fire during bolides racing. It can spontaneously ignite from overheating or unfortunate crash. Fire extinguishers are required.
It is worth mentioning how the trailer is connected with the tractor. The mechanism imitating the saddle and wedge was used here, just like in a real truck. Perhaps it was not so new in 1996, because the first use of such an idea could be seen in 1991 already, even in the set of 6542-1: Launch-Load-Seaport. However, this was a new mechanism for the 90s and it was very successful. Semi trailer holds very well and it is able to tilt slightly to sides due to the spherical end of the wedge.
Bolides
Three cars of different colors and numbers are included with this set. Why the numbers on cars are 2, 5 and 6? Why not make it simpler from 1 to 3? I wrote about it in a review of 6546-1: Slick-Racer. Feel free to check that review for more details. In short, this is due to the release of three sets in 1996, which are racetrack finish line in LEGO-6337-1 set, 6546-1: Slick-Racer and set reviewed here. You can find six race cars from number 1 to 6 in all these sets. All cars have a number inscription on the front and two sides. When it comes to marking, LEGO designers have always paid special attention to this. Vehicles or buildings are marked very well in all sets, what makes identification pretty easy.
Three drivers are available here. Everyone wears a suit in different color. Patterns on the torsos are specially designed for this set and contains racing markings. Logo of the main sponsor Octan could not be missing here too. The cars are exactly the same as described earlier 6546-1: Slick-Racer. Smooth and wide tires, low-profile and simple design with moveable spoiler at the back. It is noteworthy that the helmets have special markings too. Stripes and stars will surely make the drivers stand out from the crowd.
Summary
The truck available here is an interesting way to solve the problem of race cars transportation to the race track. Trailer has interesting technical solutions and a large storage compartment containing a lot of accessories. At the beginning I approached this set with a bit of skepticism, but when I build the truck and saw the possibilities, I was surprised. The positions for race cars are shaped very well. The upper deck is stable and holds up with no problem. Unloading cars is seamless with a retractable rails. What I like most is the fact that the designers had not created new big parts to make it easier, but they used what was already created in an innovative way. This ingenuity definitely deserves recognition. If you have three sets, which are LEGO-6337-1, 6546-1: Slick-Racer, the reviewed truck here and several pieces of road plates, you can arrange an interesting race track. It can be a nice scenery and kids can have fun for hours.
You can see the truck and racing cars in action during a race organized by the Octan company in Bebricton city below. Full gallery of this scenery can be found here: .
Alternative constructions
Alternative ideas could not be missing here at the back of the packaging. There was no instruction for them, but you could make all of them using bricks from this set only. For more interested kids it might be an extra hours of fun stimulating creativity. They had to put own work into it, when all they had was one picture of the structure only. I've mentioned about it couple of times already and I will continue to do so, because this is the thing I am really missing in the new sets. It
is also an evidence that back in the days sets were built from so universal
bricks, that you could create a lot of interesting structures and not just one. I think this is the essence of LEGO bricks. Creativity and many possibilities for construction.
Returning to the subject, couple of proposals can be found at the back of the packaging. They are the transport truck, warehouse for wheels and tires storage, workshop or even an idea for a dragster with hot rod. The possibilities are many!
Catalog entry
Limited edition LEGO-1966 set
LEGO-6539 Gocart transporter
The Truck
The truck
The box at the back
The trailer
The two-storey semi-trailer is quite interesting construction. 6 studs wide ideally fits new 5-studs racing cars. Two mechanisms are most interesting here. The first is the method in which the upper deck is supported. It is worth noting that there is completely no support at the end of the trailer. One specific brick was used here for support, which was used many times before to connect the cart or chariot with the horse. This brick is the part with number 2397. You need to slightly lift the upper deck and lower support to bring vehicles down. It may seem that it is a poor idea and very unstable, but it's not. The upper deck holds up very well and support is able to hold considerable weight. It is worth mentioning about the lock built out of ordinary hinge that prevents the first car on the upper deck against shaking.
The trailer
The second mechanism is quite simple, but also interesting. Those are the red retractable rails which can be attached to the end of the deck, what gives the ability to unload the cars easily. They are kept in the bottom deck and can be expanded during unloading. It is worth noting that despite the interesting solutions, the designers have not created a single new part to do it. Everything has been created using existing bricks and in a very interesting way, which I think deserves recognition.
The compartment
The compartment
Fire extinguishers
It is worth mentioning how the trailer is connected with the tractor. The mechanism imitating the saddle and wedge was used here, just like in a real truck. Perhaps it was not so new in 1996, because the first use of such an idea could be seen in 1991 already, even in the set of 6542-1: Launch-Load-Seaport. However, this was a new mechanism for the 90s and it was very successful. Semi trailer holds very well and it is able to tilt slightly to sides due to the spherical end of the wedge.
Bolides
Race cars
The drivers
Summary
The truck available here is an interesting way to solve the problem of race cars transportation to the race track. Trailer has interesting technical solutions and a large storage compartment containing a lot of accessories. At the beginning I approached this set with a bit of skepticism, but when I build the truck and saw the possibilities, I was surprised. The positions for race cars are shaped very well. The upper deck is stable and holds up with no problem. Unloading cars is seamless with a retractable rails. What I like most is the fact that the designers had not created new big parts to make it easier, but they used what was already created in an innovative way. This ingenuity definitely deserves recognition. If you have three sets, which are LEGO-6337-1, 6546-1: Slick-Racer, the reviewed truck here and several pieces of road plates, you can arrange an interesting race track. It can be a nice scenery and kids can have fun for hours.
You can see the truck and racing cars in action during a race organized by the Octan company in Bebricton city below. Full gallery of this scenery can be found here: .
Bebricton - Octan Racing
Alternative constructions
Packaging (back)
Returning to the subject, couple of proposals can be found at the back of the packaging. They are the transport truck, warehouse for wheels and tires storage, workshop or even an idea for a dragster with hot rod. The possibilities are many!
Linked sets:
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6546-1 |
Sceneries with this set included:
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