Following on from previous creator expert vehicles – including the Mini, VW Beetle and Ferrari F40, today, the LEGO group announce the forthcoming release of the new Fiat 500 Creator Expert set (10271). To commemorate the release of this set, a life-size Fiat 500, made from over 180000 LEGO Bricks was unveiled today, at a live streamed event from Turin. (Public events in this region of Italy have been cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID 19. Images and press release, after the break
The Fiat 500 has been around since 1957, and this version, based on the model seen in the late 1960’s, certainly evokes a feeling of the time and place.cruising along the coast road. I have a holiday planned for northern Italy later in the year. Will it be able to proceed? Or will travel bans due to the Coronavirus outbreak keep me on the other side of the world? Ask me again in May.
In the mean time, the new set will be available from LEGO Branded Stores – Brand Retail and Certified Stores – from 1st March. AU $139.99 -US $89.99 –CA $129.99 –DE €79.99 –UK £74.99 – FR €84.99 – DK 749DKK.
Here’s the press release and product description
[Turin, 29thFebruary 2020] To mark the launch of the first ever LEGO Creator Expert Fiat 500 set, a life-size LEGO brick model of the iconic Fiat 500 – made from 189,032 LEGO bricks and weighing 400kg – has been unveiled at Spazio MRF Mirafiori Corso Luigi Settembrini via live stream by Sky Media presenter Federica Masolin together with Camillo Mazzola, LEGO Italy and Cristiano Fiorio Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Turin, Italy today.
To celebrate the partnership between Fiat and the LEGO Group the 1:1 LEGO brick Fiat 500 car – taking 830 man-hours to build and featuring an original Fiat 500 steering wheel – will sit pride of place among a fleet of vintage Fiat 500s in the Fiat factory and then will go on a tour LEGO Stores across Italy in March/April.
Pierre Normandin. LEGO Designer, said: “The Fiat 500 is a global automotive icon – having first launched in 1957 and still a timeless classic. To see it celebrated in the beautiful city of Turin with this incredible new Creator Expert set and such an epic life-size build is testament to how beloved this car is.”
Cristiano Fiorio, Head of Brand Marketing Communication, FCA EMEA Region commented “Throughout its illustrious history, the Fiat 500 has surpassed its original material manifestation to take its place in the collective unconscious, becoming an international icon. This is also demonstrated by its recent exposure at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. We know well that the LEGO Group handpicks iconic products, and that the Fiat 500 is not only a car but an artistic and cultural phenomenon with strong symbolic value, as well as a joyous and colorful expression of the Italian spirit around the world.”
Based on the Fiat 500F Legend from the late 1960s, this advanced building set includes a detailed interior and functioning sun roof, allowing the driver to soak up the Italian sun while cruising down the Amalfi Coast.
The 960-piece model features everything needed for a European trip, including a trunk (complete with spare tyre), a luggage rack to the rear of the car, as well as an opening hood which allows builders to inspect the engine once they have completed the model.
Included within the set is a folding easel and colour palette and a painting of the car outside Rome’s famous Colosseum, allowing budding builders to create their favourite scenes in Rome and bring back memories of holidays gone by.
The set measures over 4” (11cm) high, 9” (24cm) long and 4” (11cm) wide and is an ideal build for any LEGO brick car collector or fan of Italian culture.
It certainly evokes a feeling for another time and place! I hope to have a copy for review shortly. There are some aspects of the model associated with some controversy: a few weeks ago, when images first surfaced, its became apparent that there is a certain level of similarity between this model, and several submissions on LEGO Ideas. There is also the question of the missing wing mirrors and windscreen wipers. But let’s wait until we actually have our hands on it to make too many sweeping criticisms.
What do you think of this model? Why not leave your comments below, and until next time,
Play Well.
