If you’re into both trucks and LEGO then the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show has a real treat in store for you.
With support of Mack Trucks Australia, LEGO brick fan, educator and builder of amazing LEGO brick creations Ben Craig has been commissioned to build a large-scale Mack Anthem at this year’s event from May 18-21.
In fact, this mind-boggling project to build a real-life truck out of LEGO bricks has already commenced design work.
Comprising hundreds of thousands bricks, the build will take seven months in the lead up to the 2023 show, with the finishing touches to be added live in front of the public at what’s sure to be among the most popular displays at the show.
“LEGO and Mack Trucks. Two iconic brands loved by both kids, and the big kids at heart, around the world,” said Mack vice president Tom Chapman.
“In 2023 we will have been manufacturing Mack Trucks in Australia, specifically Brisbane, for 60 years. To celebrate, we’re building an impressive Mack Anthem out of LEGO right in the heart of South Bank and inviting the community to help build it!”
Best known as The Brick Builder, Craig’s previous works include a full-size 1973 Viscount Royal caravan. Constructed from 288,630 LEGO bricks, the 2200mm wide, 2350mm high, 5800mm long model weighed 1.6 tons and is the largest caravan ever made with LEGO bricks.
A secret fan of large trucks and engineering, the Mack Anthem is by far the largest project undertaken by Craig, whose healthy obsession with LEGO began at the age of two and has never ceased.
Relishing the challenge, Craig has the hit the ground running with a site visit to Volvo Group Australia’s Wacol factory to witness the process involved in designing and building the Australian-made Mack Anthem – a process he intends to follow with the LEGO version.
Starting with the Anthem’s computer-aided design (CAD) files, Craig and his team are undertaking a three-to-four week design phase, before sourcing bricks from LEGO and other suppliers in Europe and Australia to commence build early January.
An estimated 95 per cent of the build will be completed off-site at Craig’s Gold Coast studio, before being transported in sections in containers to South Bank where the project will be completed.
Strengthened with metal internal supports, the Anthem will feature a detailed exterior and interior, including wheels, air lines, fuel tanks, turntable, fully operable doors and 36-inch sleeper.