Set Review ➟ 10252 LEGO Volkswagen Beetle
Until my own job allowed me to subsist, all my studies, whims and even LEGO, I owe to cars. Well, I rather owe them to their faults. My father had a car repair shop where there were always Minis, Morris, MGs… So when LEGO began to launch its collection of classic cars something inside me pushed me to get my hands on them. After the VW T1 Camper Van and the Mini Cooper (sorry, for me the Ferrari is in a different group), the new sweet in the collection is the VW Beetle.
The first thing that stands out is the giant leap regarding the construction techniques compared to the first version of the VW Beetle, set number 10187 from 2008. That first version was built in a classic way, with studs on top. The new version is based on the variety of curved slopes that are now available on the market, allowing the designers to adjust the model in a very accurate way to the generous curves that the original vehicle has.
Second, to further ensure a high level of sales, the car is designed in a not very usual colour, azure blue, which also makes it very desirable as a source of parts. Being a Creator model with a good design and a good assortment of pieces in rare colours there is no reason why the set should not be a sales success, and I think it deserves it.
As always, the level of detail and design is high, both inside and outside. Both doors and the hood and trunk open, and the gaps between the various curved elements are phenomenally resolved. The seats recline and it includes a surfboard and a refrigerator as complements, giving it a very Californian look. The spare wheel is smaller than the others are; do not be scared when you build it, I'm afraid a standard wheel doesn't fit in the trunk.
But all is not perfect in my opinion. Again LEGO includes a piece of cloth in the model, something that I find unnecessary, and the mechanism of the roof rack to hold the refrigerator and the surfboard is intelligent but not as effective as I would like. But for me the most disappointing point is overlooking once again the possibility of putting a simple steering mechanism in the car. Now, I know the type of model we are talking about, but a steering mechanism would mean a big increase in gameplay, raising the set from a shelf model to a playable one… isn’t that what this is all about? I guess some would argue not, but if they include mechanisms and minifigs in UCS sets of SW, why not include a steering mechanism in a classic Creator set?
Leaving aside these totally subjective and partial complaints, I must say that the final result is beautiful, it is fun to build, not too many stickers, and it is worth buying two, because those azure blue parts look incredibly good on any model you want to build. Besides, the three vehicles together form a spectacular "picnic at the beach" scene…
Thanks to The LEGO Group for the set and the official images. Other images by car_mp.
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