Building custom LEGO cars is one of the most exciting and unique ways to unleash your creativity and engineering skills. These custom sets that you build are unique sets that utilize a mixture of official LEGO sets and extra LEGO pieces to make your very own sets. Whether you’re inspired by supercars, classic vehicles, or futuristic designs, the art of creating your own LEGO sets really allows you to personalize every detail and have a unique build experience. You can design cars for display, for play, or even incorporate LEGO Technic elements for realistic functionality.
If you’re ready to start building your dream LEGO car, here’s a beginner-friendly guide to help you get started.
- 1. Choose a Design
- 2. Gather the Right LEGO Pieces
- 3. Start with a Basic Design
- 4. Learn the Basics of LEGO Mechanics
- 5. Incorporate LEGO Technic for Advanced Builds
- 6. Experiment and Customize
- 7. Display and Share Your Work
- Beginner-Friendly Custom Car Challenges
- Final Thoughts: Start Building Your Custom LEGO Cars Today
1. Choose a Design
So, it is an obvious first step but is the most important step because it will influence the entire build. Deciding on a build is really fun. You can either go to YouTube and look at video ideas or go on social media and find some ideas. A resource I use a lot is a website called ReBrickAble, they provide custom designs and instructions that use existing LEGO sets to make custom ones.
2. Gather the Right LEGO Pieces
Gathering the right pieces and sets is the foundation of any custom LEGO car. While you can use bricks from your existing collection, certain parts are essential for creating a solid and functional design. A resource used a lot to get individual pieces is a website called BrickLink. They sell individual pieces, Minifigures, and more. They are very underrated and I use them a lot.
Key Pieces to Include:
- Wheels and Axles: Choose the right size and type of wheels for your car’s design, from sports tires to rugged off-road options. What is really fun about a custom set is that you can have a super car have off-road tires and make a supercar rally car.
- Base Plates or Chassis: A sturdy base is crucial for supporting the car’s structure. LEGO Technic chassis pieces are great for more advanced builds. Speed Champions have simple and small base plates that you can use to build custom Speed Champion vehicles. So think about the size of the vehicle you are building and then acquire an appropriate base plate.
- Slopes and Curved Pieces: A small detail that really brings a set to life is the use of smooth slope pieces. These pieces add aerodynamic shapes for supercars or retro curves for vintage designs. Getting the right size is also really important and should be something you consider when building a custom set.
- Transparent Bricks: These are ideal for windshields and windows. They add a realistic feel without being bold and loud. You can also add LED elements to these pieces to make them even more realistic.
- Decorative Elements: Add headlights, grills, logos, or spoilers to bring your car to life. You can even add custom stickers to truly mak the build unique and yours.
If you don’t have specific parts, consider purchasing a LEGO Classic Bricks and Wheels set or browsing online marketplaces for individual pieces.
3. Start with a Basic Design
Now that you have the pieces and the design needed, you are finally ready to build. As a beginner, focus on building simple designs before tackling complex builds. So if you are building a small car that fits in your hand, start with a basic 4-stud-wide or 6-stud-wide frame. Use existing LEGO sets as inspiration or modify models from the LEGO Speed Champions series. If you are building a bigger set try, you can use a LEGO Technic chassis, or you can build a custom chassis. This choice is entirely dependent on what you chose in step 1.
Tips for Simple Designs:
- Keep the car’s body symmetrical for balance.
- Build the frame first, then add details like doors, seats, and roof.
- Experiment with color schemes to give your car personality.
4. Learn the Basics of LEGO Mechanics
One skill that can elevate your custom build is developing an understanding of basic LEGO mechanics. You can incorporate moving parts to make your cars functional and interactive. Something I saw the other day was that someone added the pullback feature to their custom build and raced their custom cars. It is things like that that can really make custom sets worth the trouble and add to the experience.
Mechanics to Explore:
- Steering Systems: Use LEGO Technic pieces to create functional steering for play or display.
- Suspension: Add springs or flexible axles for realistic movement.
- Motorization: Incorporate LEGO Power Functions or Control+ systems to motorize your car.
- Gear Ratios: Experiment with gears to adjust speed and torque in advanced builds.
For your first few projects, keep the mechanics simple, like rolling wheels or working doors.
5. Incorporate LEGO Technic for Advanced Builds
As you gain confidence, you can start incorporating LEGO Technic elements to add functionality and realism to your cars. The Technic pieces allow you to build complex systems like gearboxes, working pistons, and motorized features. This can add a level of detail to your sets that very few LEGO sets have and it makes your custom build that much better. I know people really enjoy building different engines in LEGO and displaying that,, which is another creative aspect of custom builds.
Technic Features to Try:
- Opening Doors and Hood: Add hinges for interactive elements.
- Realistic Steering: Use Technic steering racks and linkages.
- Motorized Drivetrains: Combine motors and gears for powered movement.
Start small by adding a single Technic function, then gradually integrate more advanced features.
6. Experiment and Customize
The best part of building custom LEGO cars is the freedom to experiment. Don’t be afraid to mix and match pieces, try new techniques, or rebuild parts that don’t work. Customization is where creativity shines! What is an amazing aspect of this is that you can build ANYTHING multiple times with similar pieces. The only limit to your custom builds is your creativity.
Ideas for Customization:
- Theme-Based Cars: Create cars inspired by movies, video games, or real-world vehicles.
- Hybrid Builds: Combine elements from LEGO Creator, Technic, and Speed Champions sets for unique designs.
- Detailing: Add small accessories like exhaust pipes, spoilers, or racing stripes for a polished look.
7. Display and Share Your Work
Once you’ve finished your custom LEGO car, show it off! Display your model on shelves, take photos for social media, or participate in LEGO fan events to share your creation with others.
Tips for Showcasing:
- Use a clean backdrop to photograph your car.
- Highlight key features in your photos or descriptions.
- Join online LEGO communities like LEGO Ideas or Rebrickable to share your designs and get feedback.
Beginner-Friendly Custom Car Challenges
To practice your skills, try these beginner challenges:
- Build a race car that fits in the palm of your hand.
- Recreate a car from your favorite movie or TV show.
- Design an off-road vehicle with oversized tires and a sturdy suspension.
- Create a futuristic car with transparent bricks and creative shapes.
Final Thoughts: Start Building Your Custom LEGO Cars Today
Building custom LEGO cars is a fun and rewarding way to express your creativity. By starting with simple designs and gradually incorporating advanced mechanics and Technic elements, you can turn your vision into reality.
Whether you’re designing a sleek supercar or a rugged off-road vehicle, the possibilities are endless with LEGO.
Grab your bricks and start building your dream car today!