Spinner

Ah the Spinner, one of my favorite movie vehicles of all time. Blade Runner might have been a box office disappointment, but I chalk that up to studio meddling and very poor marketing. Since then the world has realized what a marvelous piece of filmmaking it is and it’s been influencing artists for decades. Like builder Davdup, who crafted this excellent Spinner, and will be offering instructions on how to build your own soon.

Blade Runner 2049 Spinner

Blade Runner 2049 is one of those love it or hate it kind of movies it seems. I personally loved it, it's a slow burn, but so rich in style and visuals. The new Spinner is a very cool vehicle, not quite as cool as it's predecessor, but still pretty awesome, and this version by vaionaut not only depicts it really well, it's fantastically presented.

Quite Possibly The Coolest Birthday Present Ever

For his friend's 50th birthday, builder (and dear old friend of mine) Peter Abrahamson put together what might just be the most awesome birthday present ever. This is a recreation of a custom one-off Bladerunner Spinner that LEGO built for production designer and legendary artist Syd Mead. Not only that, it's with a custom framed license plate from the movie! 

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The Spinner that LEGO built was unique because of some non production color parts used. It was actually featured in a detailed account by Joe Meno for BrickJournal issue #28 and featured right here on BrickNerd way back in 2014. Joe provided Pete the digital model he reverse engineered, which Pete gratefully acknowledges he couldn't have done it without. Some of the flex tubing used was never in production in blue, as well as the part on the inside of the front wheels. Pete got around this problem on the front wheels by using parts that were spray painted (I can hear you purists gasp, it's gonna be ok) by a friend. And for the flex tubing Pete substituted gray tubing instead, which looks just fine.

Pete also custom printed water lift decals for the model which were painstakingly cut and applied. This was a real labor of love. Even the back of this thing is beyond awesome. To support the model on the frame, Pete custom built a frame back with a connecting beam at the bottom. Check out that custom waterjet cut Bladerunner detail in the middle!

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So, an actual prop from the movie and a faithfully recreated custom LEGO model all in a totally cool custom frame. You have to agree, this is about the best present ever. I'm sure Pete's friend will be proudly displaying this unique work of art and love for years to come.

By the way, I turn 50 in a couple years Pete, I'm a big Star Wars fan...just sayin'

Spinner

From the combined creative minds of Phillip K. Dick, Ridley Scott, Greg Jein and Syd Mead and now LEGOLIZE IT MAN comes one of the most iconic and beloved sic-fi vehicles of all time, the Spinner from Bladerunner. Like it's movie model counterpart this one lights up

The Spinner

This just happens to be one of my all-time favorite sci-fi vehicles from one of the all-time best concept artists Syd Mead. Builder Mad physicist totally nailed it, right down to the decals and fold up mandibles, awesome.

So Much Awesome

Brace yourselves. What do you get when you combine an awesome concept artist, with an awesome movie, with an awesome visual effect studio, with an awesome LEGO designer, with an awesome AFOL? You get this, the spinner from Blade Runner, designed by Syd Mead, realized by ILM, built in Technic by LEGO's Jørgen Thomsen and reverse engineered by BrickJournal's own Joe Meno.

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