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Are you a fan of building models of real enthusiast cars out of little bricks? Mattel has more options for you.
When Mattel launched its Brick Shop series of automotive-themed building sets, expectations were high. Much like a startup EV company, Mattel was pushing into a space here that's been dominated by Lego for years, stretching all the way back to when Denmark first started building tiny wheels. Happily, both for Mattel and anyone who likes the satisfaction of snapping together bricks into a familiar shape, the team was holding two aces. One was Hot Wheels. The other was a genuine love of cars.
View Price on AmazonNow the Brick Shop lineup is expanding, and the new additions are exactly what brick-obsessed gearheads have been wishing for. As with the current lineup, which features everything from blue-chip collectibles like the Mercedes-Benz 300SL to a teal-tastic 1990s Honda Civic to a modern Maserati MC20, there's a mix of enthusiast categories here, something for everyone.
At the top of the range is Mattel's Premium Series, scaled for collection and display at well over 1000 pieces. Joining the Mercedes Gullwing as fellow flagship is a 1524-piece Lamborghini Miura P400 SV, arriving in time to celebrate the nameplate's 60th anniversary. No need to argue over which was the world's first supercar, you can just have both, and at $129.59, the price of admission is far less than actually owning even a piece of one.
The Miura and Gullwing are in 1:12 scale, obviously impressive but taking up a lot of shelf space. The sweet spot is in the middle with the 1:16 scale cars at $53.99, with three new models joining the lineup: an Aston Martin Vantage GT3, a Mk IV Toyota Supra that dispels Fast and Furious cartoonishness in jet black with carbon-fiber-look pieces, and a 1984 Audi Sport Quattro in red. This last would look perfect next to the blue RS2 that Brick Shop already has out.
There are also three new sets in the 1:32 scale, each one easy to tuck in a nook and also robust enough for younger kids to play with. These are a Lamborghini Huracán Serrato, a classic 1983 Chevy Silverado street truck hot rod, and a Corvette C8.R racing car in signature yellow livery. These are all very reasonable sets at $21.59.
Perhaps best of all, every single one of these Brick Shop sets comes packaged with a 1/64-scale Hot Wheels, so you have something to sit on your desk as well as a larger model for the bookshelf. Or a big model for you and a little die-cast for your kid. Or a brick-built display and something for the orange track. Or any kind of combination that moves you.
All together, Mattel's Brick Shop sets aren't necessarily competing with Lego's offerings but complementing them. It's roughly the same as what happened in the Wrangler community when Ford showed up with the Bronco, and possibly what Mustang fans are going to think when the Camaro returns. Whether you're a fan of cars or of little bricks, the more the merrier.
Source: caranddriver.com
