Aussie Makes Air-Powered Hotrod Entirely out of LEGO Blocks

Lego is a great way for young minds to shape themselves in the spirit of building technical things that work, and for older ones to show off what can be done with mere blocks, if it’s not just kids that you let loose on them. Take this man from Melbourne, Australia, who put together a full-sized hot rod made entirely out of the interchangeable pieces – no fewer than 500,000 of them were used to complete it.

Steve Sammartino is his name and his black and yellow creation can be seen in the video posted below; the help of Raul Onaida, a self-taught Romanian teen tech genius was invaluable, though - the two met online...

It uses an actual working engine that’s also made from Legos, and has 256 working pistons that are driven by compressed air. The vehicle is capable of speeds no faster than 18 mph (29 km/h), but its creators’ goal was more in the realm of it being “proof of concept for environmentally-friendly equipment.”

The entire build cost $18,300 or €13,400, and it was founded by over 40 willing patrons who chipped in. All we care about is how cool it looks when it’s actually in motion, with the 256 cylinders doing their bit to push it forward.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Some Possibilities for After the Closure of Holden

The upcoming closing of the Holden’s Adelaide factory has apparently sparked interest around the world and Motoring reports that many companies are eyeing the site after the year 2017 when it’s all planned to go quiet – funny how GM thinks it’s irrelevant and found shutting it down as being the best bet…

It’s been noted by the South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, that he’s had meetings with industry leaders to find solutions for the absorption of the 1,600 layoffs.

“We're receiving unsolicited propositions from a range of companies and others that we've gone out and pursued ourselves. We're obviously working through them,” he noted, adding that it’s not only automotive companies that are interested in the plant, as “there's also armored vehicle manufacturers and other whole sectors that have completely different industry opportunities, for instance in the food industry… All of those things are on the table and they're being given consideration, too.”

The SA Premier is confident that they could even create a surplus of jobs in the “tens of thousands” if the plan is carefully thought out, realistic and actually aimed at supporting the people, instead of just treating them as numbers in a statistic.

Another idea would be to create “world-class” LPG conversion facilities in three major cities (Melbourne and Geelong aside from Adelaide). This one was put forth by Victoria’s Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and Gas Energy Australia.

The Victorian Premier, Denis Napthine, conceded that “there is a new game in town. It's the closure of Holdens. It does mean that we have to consider things that perhaps haven't been considered before,” concentrated on the “augmentation of the infrastructure around water or transport or electricity or gas, they may actually be able to make their investment decision… We want to identify and accelerate that.”

Do check out the spoof video below, before you go; it’s based on the concept of the official “We’re here” promo released by the company not so long ago…

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Chrysler 300 is No Match for Swift and Forceful Aussie Riot Squad

A disgruntled 58-year old former taxi driver sparked a tense situation during a two-hour standoff outside the Parliament House in Sydney, Australia, on Friday, when he parked his white Chrysler 300 and threatened to blow up the building by allegedly lighting two tanks with 20-liters of petrol on the passenger seat and another 19-liters in the boot.

Australian authorities took action and tactical operations officers smashed their way into his Chrysler apprehending the man, who has since been identified as Abdula Ganiji, with the entire scene playing on live television.

The Sydney Morning Herald said that Ganiji was protesting over a $200 fine he received…15 years and as it turns out, he had gone on a hunger strike outside the Parliament last year for the same reason, demanding at the time that Premier Barry O'Farrell launch a "full investigation" into a dispute he had with former employer Wollongong Radio Cabs.

Ganiji was refused bail during a court hearing on Saturday where it was revealed that police found a two-liter fruit juice container, fuel and a cigarette lighter in his car.

VIDEO

It’s Nice That HSV can Still Wish Us "Merry Christmas"

There has been a lot of talk recently about GM’s Australian branch, Holden, shutting down production from 2017 onward, being stirred by rumors (that were later denied) insisting that said year would also mark the end of the brand completely; the hole in the Aussie market would end up being plugged with front-wheel drive Chevys, if that dark scenario was to actually unfold.

However, in spite of all the imminent hardships that it’s predictably going to endure within the next few years, HSV (that’s Holden Special Vehicles) has just released a lovely video to wish everybody a Merry Christmas via the LED-infused body and neon-clad underbody of a GTS sedan.

The result is oh so colorful, and if its exhaust smelled like pine trees and didn’t kill you within minutes, it would have been the perfect fun new Christmas decoration.

Scroll down and check it out after the virtual jump.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO