Since it first put smiles on the faces of children around the world in 1949, Lego has made a name for itself as perhaps the most timeless, prevalent, and versatile creative toy to date. Now, almost 70 years later, enthusiasts in all niches and age groups can find creative and challenging builds to enjoy.
Today, virtually nothing exists that hasn't yet been at least somewhat replicated using Lego bricks, which now come in all shapes and forms: from bulky MegaBlock bricks for toddlers, to architecture, motorsport, and construction sets. Spanning such a wide array of interests, Lego undoubtedly provides something us automotive enthusiasts slash builders can look forward to. And they do! So today, we're counting down the 10 most beautiful, badass-looking, and true-to-the-original Lego car sets ever released. Enjoy!
10 Lego Caterham Seven 620R
Successfully replicating the Caterham Seven 629R open-roof sportster. The Lego Caterham provides a rewarding, 773-piece building experience. Given the relatively smaller number of pieces, the entire build takes less while the car ends up being quite large at 11 inches.
The Lego Caterham is perfect for someone looking for a simple build that will produce a final version of the model almost identical to the original, with a fully-detachable nose and engine cover that reveals a solid recreation of the original inline-four cylinder 310-horsepower engine.
9 Lego Creator Expert Ferrari F40
Much more compact and featuring significantly less pieces than many of its counterparts on this list, the Lego Creator Expert Ferrari F40 surprised us by still managing to achieve an extremely detailed design that stays incredibly faithful to the original. It does this through almost brilliant combination of small pieces and some very old and well familiar pieces that were neatly integrated as bodywork for this model.
Although the owner will miss out on some of the over-the-top features that many of the best cars on this list boast, the F40 still includes a detailed replica of the 2.9L, 471-horsepower V8 engine under the hood. A total of 1158 pieces make this model approximately 10 inches long and 3 inches tall.
8 Lego Creator Expert Mini Cooper
Another smaller model that awed us with the amount of details it was able to replicate from the original with just Lego bricks. The Lego Creator Expert Mini Cooper combines an incredibly seamless and elegant design with many delighting features such as functioning doors and boot, checkered seats, and a turning steering wheel.
The dimensions put it at 9 inches in length, 5 inches in width, and 4 inches in height. Assembled from a total of 1077 pieces, this Mini Cooper will only set you back about $100 - much less than a lot of its competition.
7 Lego Creator Expert Camper Van
We were initially planning to include only the most badass cars in this list, but seeing how well-made the Lego Creator Expert Camper Van is, we couldn't pass on granting it its rightful spot among the greatest lego car sets. With this model, Lego managed to faithfully replicate the 1962 VW Camper Van using 1332 pieces - both inside and outside.
Fully assembled, the Camper Van measures 11 inches long and 5 inches tall, and features an opening doors and front windshield, detailed roof vents, characteristic VW Camper Van wheels, a boxer engine, and a beautifully decorated interior.
6 Lego Technic Ferrari F1 Racer
As mentioned earlier, this list was to feature cars only, but seeing the amount of dedication and brilliance that went into the Lego Ferrari F1 Racer, we had to give it a spot. The model introduces an aggressive, exposed look, that somehow still does not take away from its beauty nor distance itself from the original F1 design - it complements it. To assemble it, 1231 parts are required.
However, doing so will place the car at a much larger size than many of its counterparts using a similar number of pieces and in the same $100-$150 price range. This is actually the cheapest 1:8 model on this list, and perhaps the biggest bang for the buck. What's also surprising about the F1 is that it was released in 2006, 13 years ago. For this reason, it's price today can easily exceed a thousand dollars.
5 Lego Technic Porsche 911 RSR
By far the largest and most aggressive-looking model in its price range, the Lego Technic Porsche 911 RSR relies on the use of clever connections and tubing to achieve outline the design of the original car. However, in these types of models, the focus is not on the exterior as much as it is on the very functionality and engineering features of the car. And to fans of this kind of build, this model is probably the best money can buy.
Beneath the sharp lines and connections used to hold the car together, a functioning differential is visible, as well as moving pistons from of 4.0L six-cylinder boxer engine developing 510 hp. Inside the cockpit, you'll find a fully-functioning steering wheel connected to the suspension as well as a working gearbox and a neat radar system. When assembled from its 1580 pieces, the car is a massive 19 inches long, 5 inches tall, and 7 inches wide.
4 Lego Creator Ford Mustang
Guys at lego never cease to amaze with their designs. This 1967 Mustang Sportback recreation visibly uses many of the old Lego parts and re-purposes them to make up a design perfectly faithful to the original. It comes in 1471 pieces, and fully assembled outweighs many models in the same $150 price range. But, the features is where it truly amazes.
It was developed alongside the help of Ford, and buying this model will also get you tuning parts such as a supercharger, a spoiler, beefier exhaust pipes, and even a nitrous tank. The inside was given just as much attention as the outside, including an operable stick shift and steering wheel. Naturally, under the bonnet is also a powerful and fully-detailed V8 engine.
3 Lego Creator James Bond Aston Martin DB5
We're happy Lego included the legendary 1965 Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond in Goldfinger. The car is an icon, and we're sure the Lego version is an equally massive success. Who wouldn't want to own one? Not only is this an icon, but the seamless implementation of Lego bricks into design of the DB5 is utterly awe-inspiring. The car looks alive, and doesn't miss out on any design elements of the real deal. Featuring only 1277 pieces, it trumps models exceeding 3000 pieces in terms of design detailing and faithfulness to the original.
Among the best in its class, the DB5 naturally features things like a detailed straight-six engine, a turning wheel, functioning doors, and everything else expected of it. However, it also surprised us by including some James Bond gadgets, such as a raising bulletproof rear window, detachable tire-slashers, and you can even flick the gear stick to pop out amazing machine guns mounted on the front. To a true Bond fan, the $149 price tag on this model will sound like a bargain.
2 Lego Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS
The 911 is simply a work of art. To fact that a company that made a name for itself selling square bricks would be able to come up with a build that pieces together into such a seamless aesthetic design that stays true to the original car is mind-boggling. But it does, and the Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS arguably justifies its steep $300 price tag.
To assemble it, exactly 2704 pieces are required, and detailed instructions will lead you towards achieving that goal step by step. When finished, the car represents a faithful 1:8 version of the original, 22 inches long and 6 inches tall. It even goes as far as to feature a detailed recreation of the original straight-six engine, fully visible from the rear hood, as well as supension springs, break calipers, detailed headlights, and get this, a functioning six-speed gearbox!
1 Lego Technic Bugatti Chiron
This model goes above and beyond what we thought was possible for a Lego set. Not only does it embody a detailed representation of the original car, at a scale of 1:8, but it also manages to incorporate many fully-functioning and faithful-to-the-original features to wow its buyers. As in the real car, inserting a special key will unlock a sort-of a top speed mode that unlocks the rear wing and prepares the car for spaceship performance.
Apart from that, there it includes everything from a functioning gearbox, to break calipers, and even the detailed 1500-horsepower W16 engine found in the original. With a total of 3599 pieces, the Lego Technic Bugatti Chiron will set you back $350.