Just as we are seeing Space spread across major themes this year, we are also seeing a range of new racing vehicles being represented across Technic, Icons and Speed Champion ranges. this brings similar vehicles across different scales and parts families…just right for different members of the family to share the joy of racing cars together.
We see the arrival of four different Formula 1 cars, including a tribute to Ayrton Senna in the LEGO Icons range.
Continue reading
Speed champions have been an integral part of the LEGO® Lineup since 2015. Frequently criticised for a reliance on stickers, and a slightly weird proportion, these car sets underwent a significant design change in 2020: an increase in the typical width of the models to 8 studs. Ostensibly allowing some improved detailing, without an increase in stickers, as well as allowing minifigures to sit side by side. I thought I would take a look at the first of the 8 stud wide Ferrari models – 76895 Ferrari F8 Tributo, with the last of the 6 stud wide models: 75890 Ferrari F40 Competitizione.
While there are roughly 30 years in between the origins of these cars, there are sufficient elements in common to make a direct comparison of the LEGO versions worthwhile.
Continue reading
Today Panasonic Jaguar racing unveil the new Jaguar I-type 4, for season 6 of the Formula E championship. Now, here at the Rambling Brick we don’t know much about race cars, but we do know that the LEGO Speed Champions have been a fan favourite over the last few years, even with the multitude of stickers that come with them. And while the new sets, in medium azure look striking, what is even more impressive is the fact that the Jaguar Pace Car is in fact 8 studs wide!
Continue readingFlame Yellowish Orange(Lego Group) also known as Bright Light Orange (Bricklink) is the color of the month here at the Rambling Brick. Recently, I looked at the Ultimate Axl is all his flame yellowish orange, gold printed glory. This follows on from looking at the Elves Fire Dragon set back in May. Today, distracted by it’s brightly coloured box, full of glorious curves, I picked up another of the Speed Champions: the McLaren P1. One of the 2015 Speed Champions sets, I was able to find it still on sale at my local Myer during a recent 20% off sale.
When I looked at the Ford GT, I was particularly annoyed by the number of stickers required in order to make the model look complete. I have made a conscious decision not to use the stickers on the McLaren, because I have not bought it to use as a car. This set appealed to me because it contains such a variety of flame yellowish orange pieces (OK this description is getting awkward. Lets change over to FYO/BLO) , including cheese slopes, regular slopes, plates tiles and bows. All that seems to be missing to me are a couple of Mixel eyes, and ball joint to allow the construction of a brick built head for my fire dragon.
I love the Elves Dragons. They are all colourful, and have their own personalities, associated with their personal (dragonal?) elements. However, all of their heads are cast from the same mould. Approximately 5.5 studs wide, 6 studs long and 3 blocks and a plate high, there is no doubt that these 2 parts – jaw and face – link to gather to form a dragon head. Otherwise, there are 2 studs in the top of the head, to attach crystals to, and attachments for 2 horns (2.8mm rod connectors). So: Limited customisation.
So… the FYO/BLO parts pack… err racing car… caught my eye, and filled me with a desire to brick build a head for the fire dragon. That’s the plan any way. Will I succeed, or will I be distracted by a really nifty car build? Let’s find out… Continue reading
Stickers. To apply them or not? For AFOLs, this comes up as a regular topic of conversation. Its up there with instructions vs free build; Yellow vs realistic coloured skin tones; space vs castle; police vs firemen. All of these questions plague AFOLs (and indeed other FOLs) for a variety of reasons.
There has, in recent years, been a tendency to increase the number of stickers in LEGO sets, allowing for an increase in detail shown in a product that could not be otherwise achieved by bricks alone.
There is no doubt that the use of stickers can greatly enhance the appearance of a set – but is it currently getting out of hand?
I recently got hold of the new Speed Champions Ford Mustang GT 75871 (RRP $AUD22.95) with a 20% discount (reduced to around $19). For me it is the most appealing of the current single vehicle sets – I suspect because it represents the car that came with our first Scalextric Set…just before lego started to get in the way. This set has 3 bags of pieces, along with another small bag containing hubcaps: the piece count comes in at 185. The car comes in at 18 studs long, and 7 studs wide (The chassis is 6, but allowing for the wheel arches at approximately half a stud wide each…) and just shy of 6 studs (5 bricks) high. There is a choice of hubcaps available, in line with the contemporary Mustang GT options
