[MOC] Corvette ZR1 2025 - alternate build of 42172

[Timorzelorzworz]

Hello everyone,

now in 2025, Chevrolet expands the iconic Corvette C8 family with the brand-new ZR1 including the most powerful V8 for a street-legal series car ever produced by a car-manufacturer.

I decided to bring those 1064 raw American Horsepower in a new 1:8 scale Supercar to you. This ZR1 is made with 3646 pieces only from the inventory of the set 42172 McLaren P1 as a pure B-model. Additional parts outside the set are not required to build and play.

Let's see it from all angles:

Summary of Functions & Features included

• independent suspension in front and back
• steering with working custom-built steering wheel
• openable doors with locking system
• openable engine-cover
• removeable rear-section
• openable trunk with overnight-bag
• V8-Engine with moving pistons
• sequential 7+N speed transmission gearbox
• new stepper-mechanism for switching gears
• implemented limiter for gear positions in the stepper
• open windows in bottom to view gears and stepper
• detailed interior and design
• modular building with separate premium PDF-files
• fits all Supercars in 1:8 scale
• measures (all parts closed) 57.8cm x 26.5cm x 15cm

Impressions from the Renderfarm

Impressions from Somewhere

V8-Engine & Gearbox

With the ZR1, Chevrolet brings back the iconic splitted rear-window that is fairly replicated in the model. The rear covers the V8-Engine with moving pistons and a sequential transmission gearbox with shifter-drums that can be watched working through the window.

The replica of the V8 is connected through the gearbox directly to the rear differential. The ZR1 also implements a transmission gearbox with 7 different speeds and a neutral position. The higher a gear is selected, the lower and smoother the pistons of the V8 are running. Different speeds of the gearbox are noticeable when driving the car around.

The engine-cover with the splitted rear-window is openable to catch a better view to the V8 and the sequential 7+N speed transmission gearbox.

Once the cover has been opened, the rear-section is completely removeable to allow a clean view inside the back of the model to marvel at all of the technical aspects.

Gear-Shifter & Limiter

With respect to the given inventory I developed a new stepper mechanism for shifting gears using the new 8T stepper gears. This mechanism is placed inside the middle console of the car and can be activated with just a tap of your finger.

The stepper is able to sequential shift through 7 different speeds (+neutral) in the gearbox. Moving the stepper upwards shifts the gears down (from 7 over 1 to N). Moving the stepper downwards shifts the gears up (from N over 1 to 7). The stepper mechanism implements a built-in limiter above the 7th gear and below the neutral position. Those limiter prevents the gears from overfloating and stops the movement of the shifter-drums in the gearbox. With this limitations the different gear positions are countable to always know which gear is actually selected in the model. It's a bit hard to explain though, let's see this stepper mechanism in action:

Openable Doors

Both doors of the model can be opened to get access inside the cockpit.

For both doors there is a locking-system with rubber-bands implemented that let the doors snaps-in automatically and hold them in closed position.

More Model Details

As for a worth 1:8 scale car, the model has smooth independent suspension in front and back and front-axle steering with a working steering wheel. Some printed parts from the P1 donor set are reused in the build. The underbody of the car is very clean with open windows to see the gears spinning and the stepper-mechanism working.

The overnight-bag is back! It's not only available in the P1, but comes in the ZR1 as well. The model features an openable trunk with a large space to fit the bag inside.

Let's see all the cool functions of the Corvette ZR1 shortly in motion:

Instructions & building process

For those who wants to build a own version, here are some insights into the building process. Carefully tested digital premium instructions for this model comes with three separate PDF-files with high quality images and building steps. Uncommon building techniques and geometry tricks are used to ensure an unforgettable and satisfying building experience. Building the ZR1 starts with the sequential gearbox and parts of the stepper mechanism, which was the most complex part of the model to design.

It is very important to align the universal-joints and the shifter-drums properly during the build. Please follow the instructions carefully. The first PDF with 290 pages continues building the rear-suspension and then attached to the model. Frames and structural elements are added to make the model solid. The working V8 becomes attached and connected to the rear differential through the gearbox.

After adding seats and parts of the interior, the second instruction file with 332 pages takes over. The handsome bright-light orange color joins the build to assemble the characteristic 'hips' with air-intakes.

The second file continues building the complete front-suspension with steering and then attached to the model.

The roof becomes attached and the entire front with the headlights will be finished soon. More parts are added to form characteristic lines, getting closer to a worth looking Corvette ZR1 model.

The third and last PDF let you build the removeable rear-section, the doors and the engine-cover separately on 250 pages before they are added to the final model.

 

After 872 total pages of joyful building, your Corvette ZR1 is finished and ready to drive onto your shelf.

The ZR1 in 2025

Actually this car exists and is now available by Chevrolet. According to the online configurator, the used color is called "Competition Yellow". It was a huge challenge to design this car only with pre-images.

Final Note

The ZR1 is my 20th B-model so far and it comes as the biggest and most complex one I've ever done. Thanks to all fans and people around me making such a big project possible again. Thanks to the LDraw community for providing parts in no time. I totally felt in love with the bright-light orange color that is so freaky close to the original ZR1's skin. From the first unboxing of the P1 up to the final images, it was a great pleasure to work with this kind of plastic and for me personally one of the best LEGO Technic experiences I've ever had.

Let's see finally all 3 alternate models in 1:8 scale I made in one pic:

Thanks for the attention. The ones who are interested in building their own model can follow the link to the instructions:

Link to instructions

 

Edited April 13 by Timorzelorzworz

[Paul B Technic]

Simply WOW....

The level of detail in this is really "next level" and it is a standout. It might "finally" convince me to get in to these 1:8 scale sets.

[steph77]

Eye catching model. But also a real effort on a master class level presentation. Worth to highlight it! Ps love your stepper!

[astyanax]

Very very impressive! Loving the write-up too, thanks for sharing! 

[Timorzelorzworz]

On 4/14/2025 at 12:04 AM, Paul B Technic said:

Simply WOW....

The level of detail in this is really "next level" and it is a standout. It might "finally" convince me to get in to these 1:8 scale sets.

Thanks alot Paul!

On 4/14/2025 at 7:57 AM, steph77 said:

Eye catching model. But also a real effort on a master class level presentation. Worth to highlight it! Ps love your stepper!

Thank you for the mentioning, the stepper is a cool functional one ;)

18 hours ago, astyanax said:

Very very impressive! Loving the write-up too, thanks for sharing! 

Thank you. I need a proper model description to finish it and to close the file.

[Timorzelorzworz]

My friend Trevor was so kind to provide an image with a collection of 1:8 scale alternate-builds. More than 10000 parts worth 1000€ Lego Technic in one pic :)

And even better an image with comparison P1 to ZR1

 

 

[Timorzelorzworz]

Another Lifestyle comparison. The McLaren P1 next to Corvette ZR1, both in 1:8 scale.