Review: 76920 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Posted by CapnRex101,
76920 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is perhaps the least eye-catching of the new Speed Champions cars, although the theme rarely disappoints and this model looks superb, despite appearing less distinctive than others in this wave. The general shape certainly seems accurate.
Also, the new Ford Mustang mostly avoids an issue affecting many Speed Champions sets, as only thirteen stickers are required. On that basis, I am expecting some creative techniques to capture the essential features of the car.
Summary
76920 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, 344 pieces.
£20.99 / $26.99 / €26.99 | 6.1p/7.8c/7.8c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
While not an exceptional Speed Champions model, this Ford Mustang is a delight
- Attractive design
- High level of accuracy
- Ingenious building techniques
- Few stickers
- Some subtle shapes are missing
- A little too expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
Since the Ford Mustang Dark Horse is not a racing car, its driver is casually dressed in a dark blue hooded jumper. I like the Dark Horse branding on the front and the design on the reverse looks superb too, featuring the same horse emblem as the actual car, flanked by an interesting striped pattern.
The dark azure trousers and details on the torso pair nicely together, while this minifigure also includes an uncommon hair piece. The piece has only appeared twice before in dark red and I appreciate the use of an unusual style, especially since this part fits comfortably when the driver is seated inside the cockpit, which has not been true for all Speed Champions minifigures.
A light bluish grey crash helmet is also provided, with a pearl silver wrench. The head selected for the character could perhaps have been better though, given this smiling design has already been used in well over 100 sets!
Reference
Source - motor1.com
The Completed Model
I think the Ford Mustang Dark Horse is arguably the least distinctive car selected for an eight-wide Speed Champions model so far, which creates a challenge for its designer. After all, any distinguishing features of this Mustang are relatively subtle, but this LEGO recreation captures them quite effectively, on the whole.
Even so, the car seems rather blocky from either side. Gentle curves are something LEGO cars have always struggled with and this is no exception, as the curvature of the bonnet, for instance, would ideally be much smoother. However, the proportions of the vehicle are accurate and there have definitely been improvements over time within the Speed Champions range.
The front of the Ford Mustang is definitely its most recognisable area and I think the designer has done well here. Although there are gaps between the radiator grille and the headlights on either side, the overall shape looks excellent and I love the grilles underneath. The 2x2 curved slopes and 1x1 slopes towards the centre are printed, but the 1x2 curved wedge slopes need stickers.
Stickers are also applied beneath the headlights and on the main radiator grille, but the model avoids them wherever possible. The dark bluish grey pattern on the bonnet, for instance, uses tiles and the entire central section is constructed sideways and attached via clips. Furthermore, this building technique raises the middle of the bonnet, forming a realistic aerodynamic scoop.
The shaping around the doors is exaggerated, curving in too far towards the top and bottom. Again, however, there are no suitable slopes available to create a gentler and more accurate design, so this is a reasonable compromise. As usual, the doors do not open, but the roof and windscreen are removable to reveal the interior.
There is room for two minifigures and the dark bluish grey seats stand out nicely. Also, I like the screens on the dashboard and the dark blue gearstick, represented by a microphone. Perhaps there should be more blue highlights inside, although these are subtle on the real car, so I can understand limiting that colour to the gearstick.
No back seats are included, unsurprisingly, but the trans-black rear windscreen looks brilliant, with stickers completing its shape. The bodywork around the rear wheels is very appealing as well, especially given a smooth transition between the sides and the back of the car. Moreover, the black wing is integrated well and its size appears appropriate.
Four exhausts are correctly positioned on the back and the shaping here is tremendous, with panels connected at various angles to maximise accuracy. The printed rear lights look superb and this decorated 1x6 tile is actually repeated, so the lights follow the angles of the bodywork, which shows amazing attention to detail.
On the other hand, I wish the trans-red plates representing the lights above the exhausts were more visible, as they blend with the neighbouring black pieces. Also, the mounting point for the number plate seems odd, recessed under the silver Ford Mustang symbol. Despite these minor issues, the model looks marvellous from the back, mirroring the front view in that regard.
Overall
My favourite Speed Champions cars are usually those with dramatic characteristics, such as huge wings or instantly recognisable radiator shapes. 76920 Ford Mustang Dark Horse lacks such features and is my least favourite of the new single-car sets, although the overall design remains impressive, thanks primarily to realistic shaping towards the front and back.
The building techniques used on the back are outstanding and I love the rear lights, cleverly repeating a printed tile. The relative lack of stickers is also a bonus. However, I find the price increase to £20.99, $26.99 or €26.99 disappointing, more so than with the other new sets, as this model is simply less striking on display. Nevertheless, this is an excellent addition to the Speed Champions range.
123 likes
43 comments on this article
Comparing this to 75871 really shows how far Speed Champions has come. Great review as always!
@HuskyDynamics said:
"Comparing this to 75871 really shows how far Speed Champions has come. Great review as always!"
Yet somehow I much prefer that older one (which I have). And apparently I am not the only one who appreciates these old Speed Champions, judging from the incredible prices these are going for on Bricklink or eBay.
@AustinPowers said:
" @HuskyDynamics said:
"Comparing this to 75871 really shows how far Speed Champions has come. Great review as always!"
Yet somehow I much prefer that older one (which I have). And apparently I am not the only one who appreciates these old Speed Champions, judging from the incredible prices these are going for on Bricklink or eBay. "
I think the virtue of being able to fit into a city or roadplate adds tremendous value to the old ones, which still look great (if far less accurate) on their own merits.
Not a car guy anyway but I do think it's more fun to get non-generic everyday (non-racing) cars.
I'm the opposite, This along with 2023 McLaren F1 are my 2 favorite cars released so far this year in the speed champions line.
I guess it's because I love blockie American cars,
I own a Dodge Challenger, I really wish we would get an update of that in 8 wide.
As the 6 wide yellow one is not so good in my opinion.
That said I really just love this one. It's not super flashy I would agree, but it's just really appealing to me.
Other than the McLaren F1 I was most excited about this set.
Great Review as always.
@AustinPowers said:
" @HuskyDynamics said:
"Comparing this to 75871 really shows how far Speed Champions has come. Great review as always!"
Yet somehow I much prefer that older one (which I have). And apparently I am not the only one who appreciates these old Speed Champions, judging from the incredible prices these are going for on Bricklink or eBay. "
Maybe.
But What retired Lego Sets, Especially cars
Are not being sold for ridiculous prices on ebay and Bricklink?
That is a nice looking car. As always, thanks for the review!
@Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Well, I prefer to imagine this copy has brittle dark red and @CapnRex101 just cracked a third of it off upon placing it onto the head.
@Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Absolute Gary Oldman vibes.
@TJDeets16 said:
"I own a Dodge Challenger, I really wish we would get an update of that in 8 wide."
You mean like 76904?
Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse
Reviewed today for Brickset, a Champion of Speed
There's only thirteen stickers here, that's all you need
The price is slightly icky, as Rex has to concede
It's accurate to its real source
(Though some details are lost of course)
Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse, it's dark
The commentary section is open, so beware
I don't get the objection to the driver's hair
That's kind of a direction that makes me blankly stare
But that's enough about discourse
Go buy the Mustang Ford Dark Horse!
@CapnRex101 - You’ve fitted the spoiler one stud too far forward, it should be overhanging the rear of the car as shown in all the set images.
A lot of other reviewers have fitted it in the wrong place too, maybe they can’t bear to not hide the studs? ;)
@Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Counterpoint: that hair is great, and I appreciate getting even more varied female hairstyles! Now if only they could do that for the female face prints ...
Very eye catching! First one I will buy once on sale.
I’m not loving the price increase for the latest SC wave.
@Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Noooooo, women with undercuts are the BEST, and I'm really glad that someone at LEGO is also a fan!
What will make the world a better place? More cool women with undercuts driving big muscle cars. This is a fact.
The vehicle is very nice, if less eye-catching than others in the current wave.
THAT UNDERCUT THO
It looks so good! I think i'll have to get this, and all the other single pack speed champions sets from this year!
@Sinc3riT said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Counterpoint: that hair is great, and I appreciate getting even more varied female hairstyles! Now if only they could do that for the female face prints ..."
For real, this hair is amazing. Need lots more of this. I know plenty of people who rock hair like this, you love to see it. And it makes you question how long its been since certain people have been even fashion-adjacent.
Looks very good! Can’t wait to build it
Great review as always. I’m looking forward to getting this set since I’ve envied Ford Mustangs since I was a kid but would not buy in real life, which is also why Speed Champions is my second favorite line behind Star Wars. I live in snowy upstate New York, so a rear wheel drive is not practical and honestly, how many of us have Ferrari’s, Porsche’s, F-1’s, or Pagani’s in our driveway? =-)
I love the minifig design other than the travesty that is the hair piece, but a new female face would be better. I wish she came with a different accessory instead of the helmet, like a laptop or cellphone, because driving a Mustang doesn’t need a helmet.
@dimc said:
" @Sinc3riT said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Counterpoint: that hair is great, and I appreciate getting even more varied female hairstyles! Now if only they could do that for the female face prints ..."
For real, this hair is amazing. Need lots more of this. I know plenty of people who rock hair like this, you love to see it. And it makes you question how long its been since certain people have been even fashion-adjacent."
Is it supposed to look like Gwen Stacy from Spider Verse, or are they actually going for the half bald look? Because I really liked Gwen's hairstyle. This hairpiece doesn't convey that style well though because there is no short hair on the other side. I think that might be why some of us, including myself, find it off-putting.
@Yo_dA said:
"I’m not loving the price increase for the latest SC wave."
Same here...if this is how it's' going to go moving forward then LEGO needs to add a 2nd minifigure and perhaps some road cones or a timing light.
The tail lights are too flat. Maybe I'll experiment and try and fix em myself.
@Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
On you.... probably it would be.
On someone that can actually rock it and has cultural roots in it... it would be a crime to naysay the style.
And who cares what anyone else thinks.
@AgentKallus said:
"Not a car guy anyway but I do think it's more fun to get non-generic everyday (non-racing) cars."
This is exactly why I love this vehicle out of the new wave of SC. I wish the SC look/feel/complexity could find its way to a lot of other types of City type vehicles, but I know this simply will not happen.
@Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
She drives a Mustang. I don’t think they care about Fashion
@graymattr said:
"I love the minifig design other than the travesty that is the hair piece, but a new female face would be better. I wish she came with a different accessory instead of the helmet, like a laptop or cellphone, because driving a Mustang doesn’t need a helmet. "
If I'm riding in a car and the driver's accessory is a laptop or phone for complaining about hairstyles, I'm gonna want a helmet no matter what kind of car it is.
@iwybs said:
" @TJDeets16 said:
"I own a Dodge Challenger, I really wish we would get an update of that in 8 wide."
You mean like 76904?
"
I think it's 75893
I've been wanting an eight-wide Mustang for a while. What I was really wanting was basically an updated 75884, but this will more than suffice, especially since I love the color.
@Andrusi said:
"Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse
Reviewed today for Brickset, a Champion of Speed
There's only thirteen stickers here, that's all you need
The price is slightly icky, as Rex has to concede
It's accurate to its real source
(Though some details are lost of course)
Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse, it's dark
The commentary section is open, so beware
I don't get the objection to the driver's hair
That's kind of a direction that makes me blankly stare
But that's enough about discourse
Go buy the Mustang Ford Dark Horse!"
Thanks for the laugh! Very well done.
Smashing looking set at a fairly decent price. Only a 3 quid, under inflation, price rise in 4 years!
Only downside is that it's currently out of stock at Lego.com, so Mustang Sally will have to make do with her bus pass for a while!
@TheOtherMike said:
"I've been wanting an eight-wide Mustang for a while. What I was really wanting was basically an updated 75884, but this will more than suffice, especially since I love the color.
@Andrusi said:
"Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse
Reviewed today for Brickset, a Champion of Speed
There's only thirteen stickers here, that's all you need
The price is slightly icky, as Rex has to concede
It's accurate to its real source
(Though some details are lost of course)
Dark Horse, Dark Horse, Dark Horse, it's dark
The commentary section is open, so beware
I don't get the objection to the driver's hair
That's kind of a direction that makes me blankly stare
But that's enough about discourse
Go buy the Mustang Ford Dark Horse!"
Thanks for the laugh! Very well done."
Second everything you said.
I have a nostalgic perchant for Mustangs, but that is the old 60-70s Fastback models. Nevertheless, I love the SC line for its cool, modern supercars in a varieties of colors. This dark blue will due (once suitable economic inducement has been proffered).
I'm not inclined to buy the moving billboards as I do not see racing as a sport or an attractive model/vehicle.
Buy me a beer, and you're likely to at least temporarily change my mind (as to the sporting nature).
@WemWem said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Noooooo, women with undercuts are the BEST, and I'm really glad that someone at LEGO is also a fan!
What will make the world a better place? More cool women with undercuts driving big muscle cars. This is a fact.
The vehicle is very nice, if less eye-catching than others in the current wave.
THAT UNDERCUT THO"
WemWem is speaking my language. Though I'd add more ladies in well-tailored, 3-piece suits to that list. Driving sports cars, to keep in the spirit of things.
My most anticipated Speed Champions set of this wave, looks great and seems like it has some interesting building techniques! And... it's not drenched in stickers, unlike the other sets in the wave.
Really expected the tail lights to be brick-built. Maybe that's unreasonable for this scale... but Speed Champions always seems to pull off miraculous things like that. I guess maybe 10265 spoiled me.
@WemWem said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Noooooo, women with undercuts are the BEST, and I'm really glad that someone at LEGO is also a fan!
What will make the world a better place? More cool women with undercuts driving big muscle cars. This is a fact.
The vehicle is very nice, if less eye-catching than others in the current wave.
THAT UNDERCUT THO"
I also really like the haircut, but it feels about a decade too late for it to be introduced only now, doesn't it? Giving me 2012 vibes, but in a good way. :-)
Oh, and the car's nice too, I guess.
@ra226 said:
"Really expected the tail lights to be brick-built. Maybe that's unreasonable for this scale... but Speed Champions always seems to pull off miraculous things like that. I guess maybe 10265 spoiled me."
To be fair, 10265's built at a much larger scale.
@_Callie_ said:
" @CapnRex101 - You’ve fitted the spoiler one stud too far forward, it should be overhanging the rear of the car as shown in all the set images.
A lot of other reviewers have fitted it in the wrong place too, maybe they can’t bear to not hide the studs? ;)"
I noticed that too, only because I did the same thing when building the set. With 2 open studs on each side at the back, my brain just assumed the spoiler should attach to all of them, but nope. It does indeed go one stud further back.
@HuskyDynamics said:
"Comparing this to 75871 really shows how far Speed Champions has come. Great review as always!"
The wider cars are so much better at detail.
Even if they still can't seat 4 people, at least it isn't just one seat in the middle.
The rearwindows are brickbuilt with transparent parts and at least not slopes from my 90s toy cars coated in a dozen stickers from all sides.
The only downside I see is that Lego only produces the rarest and most expensive sports cars or really toyetic slopes with wheels in City. Why not the cars you see most often in our real world towns and cities? That's the one area where also Bluebrixx is lacking despite trying to address it.
@WemWem said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"That hair is a crime against fashion."
Noooooo, women with undercuts are the BEST, and I'm really glad that someone at LEGO is also a fan!
What will make the world a better place? More cool women with undercuts driving big muscle cars. This is a fact.
The vehicle is very nice, if less eye-catching than others in the current wave.
THAT UNDERCUT THO"
Your comment reminded me of one "women with undercuts" back in the days, early 2000's. Waiting on a bus station in front of me on street car is slowing down with women driving. It was slammed Golf VR6 with girl driving, blond with short hair.
Maybe not the most exciting car in the world, but it's been done justice here I think, and I appreciate the fact that it's a new colour for an SC car as I'm trying to display a range.
It's probably going on the list, although after the McLaren F1 car which is a definite. I'm very much on the fence about the Audi and the BMW twin pack doesn't really interest me at all; it looks more like sticker hell even than last year's Porsche!
Still waiting on my 1960s/70s mustang speed champions set. Lego doesn't even have to make it John Wick themed. I'm still buying that
Too expensive imo, of course the price difference isn't as big as with bigger sets but it's a good fraction of the price... it almost looks like they are trying to compensate for deals of amazon and others
It's more recognisable as a Mustang than 75871 is, in my opinion, so for me it scores points for that. Speed Champions cars should always be identifiable in that way, to remove any ambiguity about what car it is supposed to be.
It's frustrating that some parts are printed but others are stickers. Two slopes in particular had THREE stickers each! Took me about 10 minutes to apply 6 stickers to these slopes, which distracted from the actual build. What should have been a quick 20 minute build was doubled because of applying stickers!
I also find it interesting that they chose the Dark Horse opposed to the new Mustang GT, or even the Mach-E, although I do find the details on the Dark Horse to be more prominent than those on either of the other new Mustang cars.