Doug Frazer is reigniting his love of cars through Lego almost 70 years after his passion for the automotive industry began.
Ahead of his 94th birthday this month, Doug has completed multiple Lego projects since moving to Ozcare Currimundi Gardens Retirement Village with wife Judy last year.
The couple, who moved from a large home in Brisbane to be closer to their son John, have set about on a Lego mission.
Since late last year, Doug has built a VW Kombi van, a replica White House and a five-storey English village out of Lego.
As one of the first mechanics at one of Australia’s first VW factories, Doug said the Kombi van which he built with the help of son John was his favourite.
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“It’s definitely not the same as getting the grease on your hands but it’s a great feeling when you finish it off,” the great grandfather said.
“I worked at Volkswagen in Glen Innes after WWII, and we worked on the Kombis — it was the only vehicle of its kind that was available.
“While I was there, we were the first manufacturer to make a million cars.
“We fitted out big fleets of Kombi vans with ladders for the Postmaster General and Telecom.
“It is very different to building a Lego version, but I would definitely recommend it if you had good eyesight and your fingers are pretty nimble.
“I’m building a VW Beatle now, but there are all sorts of cars. It could turn out to be an expensive hobby. There are even Lego Lamborghinis.”
With more than 4,000 pieces to a set, Doug said wife Judy enjoys his new hobby as much as he does.
“She comes and makes a menace of herself – she loves it, she thinks it is great when I am finished,” he joked.
“But she does help me move the completed stages off the dining room table. It is really wonderful as an outlet to keep your mind active.”
