Book Review: Incredible Lego Technic Cars, Trucks, Robots & More

Editor’s Note: I have always loved Legos and have built hundreds of models over the years. I have shared that enthusiasm with my sons, ages nine and seven. When offered a chance to review Incredible Lego Technic Cars, Trucks, Robots & More by Pawel “Sariel” Kmiec, I thought it would be fun to have my nine year old son, Seth, read the book and write the review. Please enjoy his words below. – CH

By Seth Haak, Age 9

The book, Incredible Lego Technic Cars, Trucks, Robots & More by Pawel “Sariel” Kmiec, was interesting to read to learn about all the models. If you are especially interested in Legos, this would be a good book for you.

My favorite section was the construction vehicles because I’ve been interested in trucks ever since I was very young. Some of these were so realistic, they didn’t even look like Legos. It surprised me that the Sandvik PF300 was an estimated 9,200 pieces.

I liked how many models had pneumatic power with moving pistons on vehicles like excavators and front-end loaders. Some of them surprised me that they were drivable with a remote.

Even though construction vehicles section was my favorite, I liked the KZKT-7428 Rusich in the truck section. I like how Sariel decided to make a truck with a trailer that can tow a tank. I also complement his Black Panther tank.

It is interesting that the MAN TGS 6×4 cement truck was used at the 2011 Lego World Fair in Copenhagen as part of the Great Ball Contraption (GBC) display, “which was a giant collaborative Rube Goldberg machine used to transport Lego soccer balls in the most spectacular way possible.” (page 252)

The designers of all the models featured in this book have a creative way of building all of the bodywork. For instance, when Sariel designed the Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, he used chrome parts in all the right places to make the model look more realistic.

Nearly all of the models featured in Incredible Lego Technic Cars, Trucks, Robots & More are fully functional, with working motors, engines, suspension, steering, and even transmissions. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport model crated by Sheepo has a remote-controlled 7+R sequential transmission and all wheel drive!

Reading this book made me want to show my creativity and use Lego Technic to build models of my own. The book was a fun read – you could either just look at the detailed pictures or read about the models and the challenges the builders faced when they built them for more information. I would recommend this book to my friend Michael (he’s good with Technics) or any creative person who wants to see what can be done with advanced Lego building skills.

You can find Incredible Lego Technic Cars, Trucks, Robots & More here on Amazon. It lists for $29.95, but is currently selling for $20.10.