Chevrolet Corvette C1: Lego kit (trial)

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette, Lego is releasing the Corvette C1 kit in 2023. We were allowed to assemble the 1210 pre-set building: This is the conclusion of our test and the price!

The American sports car icon turns 70 and Lego joins the well-wishers with a Corvette C1 livery. However, the Danish building empire does not release the first model from 1953, but the red and white ’61 model shortly before the end of the first generation. Why? On the one hand, the later model with its smoothed back was perhaps easier to transfer to the world of Lego than the first Motorama. On the other hand, the 1961 model year has not only the small V8, but also the four rear lights that we still associate with the American cult to this day. The result is a total of 1210 building blocks with a length of 32 centimeters, a width of 14 centimeters and a height of ten centimeters. Also interesting: Tips for our products on Amazon

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Chevrolet Corvette C1 as Lego kits: price

Chevrolet Corvette C1 as a Lego kit, item number 10321, is only available in one color combination, but has a removable hardtop. There are also three different license plates available on the back: a black version with a model symbol, a yellow license plate from California, where the “Vette” was always the most popular, and a white registration for Michigan – the birthplace of the classic. The C1 will go on sale from 4 August 2023. The price is 149.99 euros (from July 2023).

Lego Corvette in a test: Lots of fun building and trivia

The surprise wasn’t bad when the Chevrolet Corvette C1 mini Lego kit arrived. But well, over 1200 parts all have to fit somehow and at that price you shouldn’t expect anything less. Although the author has already had experience with Corvettes, he has not had a Lego in his hand for 15 years. The thick instructions at the beginning of the test inspire a certain respect. But the chaos and confusion of small parts is avoided because the individual pockets are well organized according to the construction procedure and the paper shows each step in a foolproof way. In any case, the packaging hint “18+” seems to be exaggerated. Charms: The instructions are filled with stories and fun facts about the Lego Corvette. Who would have thought, for example, that the corners of the bumper were nothing more than Lego bananas painted gray?

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The Chevrolet Corvette C1 Lego kit takes shape quickly and, after a few fun hours of testing, is on all four wheels. The fact that the latter can be literally controlled via the steering wheel is of course very nice. The doors also open and close correctly, which also applies to the trunk and hood. However, we would like a fiddly cap release mechanism. This works best on the trunk thanks to the bolt mounted on the bottom. The attention to detail is also amazing: the trunk is lined with smooth stones and provides ample storage space for spare parts. Up front there are folding seats, pedals, a gear knob and even an interior ventilation hose. The V8 is also eye-catching.

What the Lego kit doesn’t do perfectly: It can’t capture the lines of the Chevrolet Corvette C1. The front mask is slightly straighter and looks a bit like a frog with soap between its teeth. Beyond the back, Lego bricks also swallow a slim silhouette with a few original lines. However, you should not judge too harshly, as the car is made of building blocks with a flat grain. It can and should look like a Lego and not like a pre-purchased 1:18 resin model car. Whether a few hours of fun is worth spending 150 euros is a matter of taste. For the author of this test, it will probably not be the last kit if Lego produces suitable models. What about the Corvette C3?

Tim Neumann

Our conclusion

Does the Lego kit do justice to the 70th anniversary Chevrolet Corvette (C1)? Yes – with minor restrictions. The model was created with a lot of love and attention to detail and is a lot of fun to build. The fact that it is not 100 percent reminiscent of nature everywhere only bothers perfectionists.