LEGO Mayberry (The Andy Griffith Show)

My current attempt at the 1960s Ford Galaxie squad car, parked in front of the courthouse, as usual.

Added blinds and the internal window boxes.

I know I've seen one somewhere, maybe in the minifig series, but LDD only has an assortment of electric ones, quite out of place for Andy. Music played a significant role in the series, from the front porch to the jailhouse, guitar strumming, banjo plucking, 'jugging', piano playing, harmonica serenading, even choir!

Found this on http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=28874

Here it is--the update you all have been waiting for (apologies for the long delay)! While not perfect (still have to work on the wall color and the cells should have brick exteriors), I feel like it captures at least the 'spirit' of the show. Hopefully TAGS fans will enjoy this LEGO tribute.

While there are so many memorable characters I could include in a proposed TAGS LEGO line--Helen Crump, Thelma Lou, Ellie Walker, Howard, Floyd the Barber, the Darlings, Gomer and Goober, etc.--my thoughts are that those would be great mini sets that LEGO could expand into offering if this project ever gets the green light.

For now, I've only included the following key characters:

• Deputy Barney Fife (watch it, he's just loaded his one bullet!)
• Sheriff Andy Taylor (who also serves as Justice of the Peace)
• Aunt Bee (who looks like she's bringing the boys some delicious lunch)
• Opie (who's ready to play a game of checkers or take out the trash--whatever his Pa wants)
• Otis Campbell (is he spiking the water?)

Obviously, if the guns and alcohol references are problematic, I can simply remove the rifle wall cabinet and Barney's peacemaker as well as Otis' potent potables!

I also want to include a Ford Galaxie squad car down the road (pun intended!), but I am still working on its design. Obviously, the 'real' set would have custom-printed details to match the show, such as the map, the door plaques and mail slot, etc. I could always add more detail--such as to the back room and the cells--but I felt that this update at least reflects most of what people remember about the courthouse. I've intentionally mixed some details from multiple seasons, such as the heater from Season 1 and the second window from Season 2 onwards.

Beyond the courthouse, while there are a number of locations that could be depicted--such as the Barber Shop (complete with manicurist or bookie barber!), the Drug Store, the pond, Wally's Filling Station--the list goes on--I've decided to only also do the Andy Taylor Home down the road (stay tuned!),

I'm eager to know what everyone thinks--hopefully any TAGRWC bunch won't judge it too harshly! You'll notice that I've left the back essentially unfinished. This is because that area, along with the upper story (Mayor Stoner's office) and basement are basically unseen on the show, although some blueprints have speculated what the buidling's full layout was (e.g. http://www.imayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/anewsome/private/courthouseblueprint.htm). However, I do have to mention two design insperations for the overall building design:
http://www.imayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/dc269/wallpaper/courthouse_wallpaper.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/RKO_backlot_-_Mayberry_courthouse.jpg
Hawthorne Village's Mayberry Christmas line from a few years back also provided some inspiration (cf. http://vintagelenox.com/i/281540521884/hawthorne-village-andy-griffith-show-mayberry-courthouse, although I left the one side gray in reference to the alleyway scenes and inconsistency as far as the courthouse and barber shop's relative locations are) as have Martha and Dave Scheuermann's efforts (cf. http://www.taylorhomeinn.com/courthouse.html).

While I've elected, based on previous comments, to go with a color version of the courthouse (although the B&W episodes are far superior in my opinion), I did want to give a shout out to Neomar Dethron's efforts (http://www.flickr.com/photos/122248947@N03/15709593145)!

Hopefully you'll have as many pleasant memories come to your mind from the show's memorable moments as I have had in building this set--kerosene pickles, the loaded goat, Barney's rants, the fast girls, the list is endless!

Any advice, critiques, and comments are most welcome!

While the real set would likely be made with fewer pieces (maybe some custom molds, etc.), one idea I have had is to reference the fact that TAGS was, after all, a TV show--I've toyed with the idea of including lighting gantries, cameras, boom mics, and film crew, along the lines of previous sets such as no. 1349 (http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/1349_LEGO_Studios_Steven_Spielberg_MovieMaker_Set), but I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks of this idea.

Enjoy!