When he builds his scale versions of big rigs and other motorized equipment, Stephen Wilson  might be the first to tell readers one doesn’t need an engineering degree nor experience as a truck driver to mold LEGO pieces into stunning 1/18 scale creations.

But in his case, the combination of an aircraft mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University and several years experience driving double-bottom trucks in California lead to something special when it’s time to produce a LEGO version of an actual truck.
Stephen began by putting together some intricate LEGO kits, but then he saw the work of English LEGO builder Jennifer Clark and was inspired to do more. Stephen, who lives in Indianapolis, Ind., began delving into more complex LEGO endeavors.

He was interested in the possibility of reverse engineering vehicles he saw completed in LEGO form, like those Jennifer Clark built. And his engineering background helped him imagine many pieces in three-dimensional form.
The interest in trucks stems from his family. His grandfather, father and uncle owned an International Harvester dealership from the 1940s through the 1960s called Indiana Equipment Co. 
The trucks on the lot became a fun play area for young Stephen. Then, after studying at Purdue, he decided it was time for some adventure. 
“I said, ‘Let’s drive somewhere and see what adventures we can find,’ ” Stephen recalls. “I went to California and one of my first jobs was driving a semi with double-belly bed trailers. I enjoyed that job for a long time.”
After a few years driving trucks, his experiences began to blend via the LEGOs. In a real sense, he was able to tie together each of his pursuits. He found the LEGOs were easier to be creative with than the traditional plastic model kits.
“I don’t always have to wear my glasses to use the LEGOs,” Stephen says. “They’re large, so they’re easy to handle. They’re already painted, depending on what you are doing with them.” 

The technical draft came from a dealership and this was used for scaling the 1/13 Scania 164G. ​

As almost all children, I started very early playing with LEGO® bricks, stealing them from my elder brother, who moved them to me during the years.
I never imagined that across the five continents there are so many LEGO® adult builders, building the most fantastic things. I caught the LEGO® bug. I wanted to build something great and designed by me, a unique model as detailed as possible that replicates a real subject. 

Interest in Trucks
Since I was a child, I have been intrigued by the world of trucks, probably because when I went to my dad’s firm to help him, he always took me for a drive with the old Iveco trucks of the ’70s and ’80s—an indelible memory in my mind.
So I decided to build a truck with LEGO® bricks—not a normal truck but a great-scale truck.
After research on the Internet, I understood that I could build a 1/13 scale model very detailed, practically similar to the 1/1 model.
I chose to use the classic LEGO® bricks assembly technique, leaving the studs and not covering them with tiles, because I think it is more characteristic. I use always and only original bricks to build my models; there are 2,000 to 2,200 pieces in each model. The stickers are made with a graphic-application program (Adobe Illustrator).

Scania 164G and Scania 124L 
Chosen for the first truck was a Swedish Scania 164G of the 4 Series manufactured from 1995 to 2004. I’ve always liked the 4 Series because of its rounded shapes. Further, the line was designed by Bertone, a very famous Italian designer.
The front grille, the most distinctive part of the truck, was the beginning point. Once the front hood was realized, the outline of the chassis was made of two spars linked by a few reinforced bars. 
To make the truck as real as possible, I went to the Scania dealership of my town where I found the technical drawing with all the truck sizes (chassis, cab, etc.). With the technical draft in my hands, I could respect the 1/13 ratio and build a perfect chassis. Then the entire cab was completed.
Next, I built the two fuel tanks, the exhaust silencer, the side ladder, the fifth-wheel, the four rear mudguards and all the other details. 
Now, only the engine unit was left, and the Scania was equipped with the most powerful engine unit, the V-8 engine with 480 horsepower. The cab can be opened, and beneath it, is positioned the powerful V-8 engine coupled with the gearbox. 
The front grille can be opened too discovering the radiator. Using plate hinges, the doors can be fully opened. The doors have inside a little glove box. Also, the sunroof can be opened.
Two 4.5-volt light bricks were put behind the two lamps, and they work thanks to a remote-controlled battery box.
The Scania was finished after about 100 hours of hard work, and I’m very happy and proud of it.
There were still a lot of pieces, so I decided to give a brother to the white Scania. Inspired by an illustration of a yellow Scania on the box of a 1/24 scale plastic model released by Italeri, I decided to build another 4 Series, a 1/13 scale yellow 124L. It had practically the same cab of the Scania 164G but with a shorter chassis and one rear axle only. A tractor truck for long distance routes.

Auctioneer Larry Warfel with Tom Mosher assisting. ​