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Set Review: 10265 Ford Mustang
 Sunday, January 24th, 2021 at 4:58pm by Benjamin, BZPower ReporterIt's nothing but vehicles for ChocolateFrogs, it seems. But if they all look as good as a fancy car, I'll take it. Today is a review of Creator Expert Ford Mustang, a large sports car designed for display more than play, and which will probably enjoy some shelf life being admired instead of disassembled for MOCs. Read and watch the review for the full details, and if this is worthy of such admiration or should be sent to the scrapyard. First, thank you do LEGO for providing the set so I can share my opinions about it. The set is $150 USD and has 1471 pieces, so it almost meets that 10-cents-per-piece ratio. It is also one of the last sets to be called Creator Expert before LEGO leaned into the 18+ designation, as this is recommended for ages 16 and up. Now for the review:
Presentation
The box is amazingly big, which is what you'd expect for a $150 set. While most sets have just the set on the front and all the details on the back, the front can't help but mention its dimensions (13.5†x 5.5â€) or show the engine attachment on the hood. The back gives even more details on its supercar transformation, already promising some playability and interaction for what might be considered a shelf model. Finally, the top gives the parts list, something one only sees in larger sets these days, if at all. Building
Let's start with the instructions. The first few pages give a history of Ford Motor Company, the Mustang, and the LEGO model. This is similar to LEGO Architecture sets talking about the city or landmark you're building. Finally, there is a sticker sheet, and while I normally don't apply them, I used them all except for a few extra license plates, so the model will look great on my shelf.
The Mustang starts with a strong Technic chassis and then dives straight into details with System. Every layer is important, whether it begins the sides, the engine, or the trunk. You slowly start to see important details form, like the Technic suspension for the wheels, the working steering wheel, or the hinges for the doors. Soon after that the exterior rear windows are built, the grill is affixed with the Mustang logo, and all the pieces come together. Set Design
I feel like LEGO did a great job capturing the feel of a classic Mustang car. The curves are just right, the array of parts get the details in line, and the colors and stripes complete the look. A few more details fall under “playability†below, but there is one, just one, thing that bugs me: the side-view mirrors won't stay in place. These are jumper plates on inkwells on droid arms, and as such the articulation makes it too flimsy. Easily knocked and ignored when handling it.
Certain details stood out and impressed me, starting with the stickers. I don't normally put them on, but they really helped complete the set with the engine and rear view mirror. And every car is incomplete without a license plate, which LEGO provides quite a few options for. There are plates for California, where the classic Mustangs were assembled, and Michigan, where they're currently made. There are also European-style plates if that's your preference, though I can not figure out if those are Easter eggs at all.
Finally, let's look at the parts in the set that stand out. Lots of curves in dark blue and white, and quite a few printed pieces. I like how the printed curves are generic enough that they won't hinder creative uses in MOCs. That said, the printed lines don't always line up when built side by side. Playability
Being a large, expensive, “Creator Expert†set, this is more of a display model than something you'd find a kid playing with on the family room floor. But it has plenty of cool features! Yes, the wheels move and the steering wheel turns the front wheels, so you can certainly go “vroom vroom†like you go “swoosh†with spaceships. But you can upgrade the model to a supercar which gives it a completely different personality. The things you add are as follows:
Final Thoughts
The Mustang is a perfect example of why the Creator Expert (now 18+) line exists. A detailed enough model with a great piece count that doesn't cut any corners to get the look just right. It convinced this sticker-hating builder to apply stickers for a fully completed car. It provides a satisfying build and a great display model. If you love LEGO cars, this is one of the top sets available that fulfills all its promises.
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