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LEGO building blocks have been around since long before the ’60s. And now they’re bringing to life one of the coolest rides from the coolest era of collector cars: the Fiat 500F.
The LEGO Creator Expert Fiat 500 model is a stunningly detailed recreation of the legendary Fiat 500F, also known as the Berlina. All the period flair and La Dolce Vita attitude of one of Italy’s best-known works automotive art come to life in this LEGO model, which is sure to sell like crazy — and word to the wise, some of LEGO’s hotter models have been known to sell out.
Rated for LEGO builders ages 16 and up, the Fiat 500 will be a worthy challenge to teenage and adult fans alike. It contains 960 pieces, creating a model 9.5 inches long by 4.5 inches high and 4.5 inches wide. You may never be able to score an authentic Fiat 500F for your garage, but you can’t go wrong putting this version on display in your house.
All the design quirks that made the 500F one of the most iconic European cars of the late ’60s and early ’70s are here: the luggage rack with a suitcase, the interior detailed down to the Fiat logo on the steering wheel, the opening roof and doors, and the two-cylinder engine are all present and accounted for.
And for that little extra Continental touch, there’s a folding easel with paintbrush, palette, and a small LEGO-painting of the Fiat in front of Rome’s famous Colosseum. All that’s missing are the men in ultra-dark sunglasses smoking cigarettes and drinking espresso in an outdoor café while Sophia Loren saunters by.
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Even the instructions are a throwback, designed to recreate the look and feel of the original promotional materials about the Fiat 500F. They’re also loaded with fun facts about the actual car, the history of the legendary Fiat company, and include an interview with the LEGO designer who made this recreation such a faithful tribute to the original.
Again, this is a challenging LEGO model intended for advanced builders, so all of its authenticity and charm would be lost on your 9-year-old nephew who can’t finish it. But for anyone of the right age, especially any car nerds in your life, this is a fantastic gift. The actual building is most of the fun, of course, especially if you’re a car enthusiast who knows and appreciates the incredible detail of this model. But as a display piece it’s a real attention-grabber, and with all its working parts, it could even be a fun toy for that kid too young to build it. (But only if they promise to be really gentle with it.)
LEGO’s hit models do tend to sell out, so this is a deal you might want to jump on quickly. Stash one now and get some super-early Christmas shopping done!
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