Speed Champions Wish List
With the recently revealed Back to the Future Time Machine and Lightning McQueen Speed Champion, it’s the first time I have felt the desire to make a day 1 purchase from this theme. I’m not a “car guy” per se so all the previous sets, with a few exceptions, didn't really draw me in. I have always enjoyed Speed Champions from afar as my son has grown up loving them but I personally have only built a couple. The two sets that I own are 76901 Toyota GR Supra and 76914 Ferrari 812 Competizione.
76901 Toyota GR Supra and 76914 Ferrari 812 Competizione
When looking at the Speed Champions theme, it is easily one of Lego’s best creations in regards to details and building techniques. The theme has evolved over the years starting as 6-stud wide builds to its current 8-wide models. New pieces have been created specifically for this theme and have only improved the realism.
Speed Champions is one of those themes that piques the interest of non-Lego hobbyists and converts them into new collectors as it features popular car brands like BMW, Chevy, Lamborghini, and many more.
Getting back to the soon to be released Back to the Future and Lightning McQueen sets, it got me thinking about other famous cars from Hollywood that would be great additions to the Speed Champions line:
Kitt from Night Rider
A-Team Van
The General Lee from Dukes of Hazards
Police car (while not specific to Hollywood, the possibilities would be endless)
Herbie the Love Bug (VW Beetle)
Batmobile (so many variations)
The Batmobile….while there have been many Lego Batmobiles over the years from small playsets to larger UCS sets, a Speed Champions version would be cool as hell.
I have always had a thing for Batman and the Batmobile starting when the Batman movie was released 1989 starring Michael Keaton (Batman) and Jack Nicholson (The Joker). I have collected many of the Lego Batmobile and Tumbler variations over the years and love them as display pieces. I recently built 76181 Batmobile: The Penquin Chase and couldn’t help but notice some similarities to the Speed Champions builds. I decided to compare the Batmobile against a Speed Champion I recently built, 76914 Ferrari 812 Competizione.
Ferrari and The Batmobile side by side. While at a slightly different scale, you can see the similarities in the details.
It looks like a speed champion, just longer. Both are 8-studs wide however the Batmobile is approximately 8 studs longer without considering the blue flame coming from the afterburner.
The most telling characteristic that 76181 is not a Speed Champion….only 12 stickers…lol
76181 Batmobile: The Penguin Chase
One final thought on 76181: Does it really need brake lights? Two of the 12 stickers are for rear brake lights. Pretty sure the Batmobile is not street legal and not suited for everyday use. If you are ever driving the streets of Gotham City and see the Batmobile, that's a good sign to “get the heck out of dodge” as nothing good has ever happened when the Batmobile shows up.
Until Next Time AFOL’s….