Review: 76935 NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Posted by CapnRex101,
Speed Champions has avoided revisiting earlier six-wide models until now, presumably because vehicle variety was considered paramount when fewer sets were produced annually. Fortunately, the theme has grown to include more sets than ever before in 2024.
76935 NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 thus succeeds 75891 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Race Car from 2019, although these are different generations of the same model, as the name suggests. I am interested to see how this larger scale benefits a stock car, although the incredibly vibrant livery seems liable to divide opinion.
Summary
76935 NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 328 pieces.
£20.99 / $26.99 / €26.99 | 6.4p/8.2c/8.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This is an excellent model on the whole, but maybe its colour scheme is too much
- Realistic proportions and bodywork
- Superb rear spoiler
- Detailed interior
- Extremely bold livery
- No window nets
- Large number of stickers
- Extremely bold livery!
Minifigure
Appropriately, the driver is dressed in teal and purple overalls to match his car. These colours look a bit odd together, in my opinion, but I like the consistency between minifigure and model. Also, the purple dots on the torso look superb, especially since these distract attention from the lack of advertisements on the overalls.
This pattern continues on the back of the torso, but the legs are not printed, which is a shame. Similarly, a decorated helmet or perhaps a racing cap with the Chevrolet branding would have been welcome additions.
The driver does come with a reddish brown hair element though, perhaps spiky from taking off his helmet. A pearl silver wrench is also supplied, as expected for the Speed Champions range.
Reference
Source - HendrickMotorsports.com
The Completed Model
NASCAR vehicles often feature very distinctive liveries and that is undoubtedly the case here! The combination of flame yellowish orange, black, purple and teal is garish and seemingly not based on a real livery, unless something has yet to be revealed. However, I like the vibrancy of this design, which stands out among Speed Champions sets.
Furthermore, the proportions and shape of the car are generally realistic, capturing its forward rake and low ground clearance. Viewing the model from this angle also shows the clear colour blocking, which is accented with a few stickers towards the rear. A total of 30 stickers are found across the entire vehicle, basically as expected for a stock car.
There are plenty of printed elements as well, including a 1x2 plate and two 3x3 curved corner plates, decorated with the radiator and headlights. Their narrow design looks superb and I am impressed with the shaping underneath, especially around the sides, where 2x2 curved wedge slopes are angled beside 1x2 slopes. The transitions between panels are not perfect, but they are still fairly smooth.
The combination of flame yellowish orange tiles on the bonnet looks slightly odd, with lots of curved seams between them. I like the flame decals though, flanking a printed 3x3 round tile that features a stylised American flag. Also, the wheel arch wrapped around the engine cover looks good, breaking up the otherwise flat bonnet.
Flame stickers are also applied on the sides and roof, displaying the racing number and some tiny logos. Similarly, the Camaro branding on the windscreen uses a sticker, which is not ideal, as placing this curved sticker evenly can be tricky. The side windows could also be better near the back, noticeably stepping down, rather than curving smoothly.
The lack of window nets is disappointing as well, but the interior is highly detailed. The single seat is correctly positioned and I love the roll cage, consisting of three angled bars, which are arranged as faithfully as possible to the original car. Additionally, the seat construction is clever, as 1x2 plates with side bars form deep bucket seats, but I wish head restraints were included.
NASCAR racers are outfitted with an extensive fire suppression system, including an in-cockpit extinguisher, ironically represented by a red candle on this model. I think the red 1x1 tile on the dashboard serves as the ignition or secondary fuel tank switch, situated beside a stickered 1x2 slope, forming the digital information screen.
Considering the attention paid to safety features inside, it is a shame the emergency roof flaps are not included. I understand their absence at this scale, but these features would have been welcome. The printed wheel caps look brilliant though, introduced in 75891 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Race Car and including the same decoration.
LEGO generally uses printed elements for the headlights and rear lights when they cannot be brick-built, but these are stickers, matching the real car! The rear spoiler, meanwhile, is neatly constructed using 2x2 curved roof corners, which look remarkably realistic. Trans-clear seems like an odd colour choice, but this corresponds with the source material.
Overall
Ignoring the colour scheme for a moment, 76935 NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 achieves impressive realism. The shape is superb and the designer has managed to include plenty of authentic details, both inside and out. There are some frustrating omissions though, such as the inexplicable lack of window nets.
However, the livery is sure to be the most controversial feature. In some ways, I like its sheer vibrancy, unique within the Speed Champions theme, although it does not seem to mirror any actual car and arguably looks unrealistic, very much like a toy. Regardless, this model is a nice addition to the range, priced at £20.99, $26.99 or €26.99, like other single-pack cars.
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56 comments on this article
This doesn't particularly make me want to buy or build this set... however it DOES make me want to go and play Sega's Daytona USA. Gentlemen, start your engines!
Bricknerd has an article on recoloring this set and the Ferrari F40, in case any one is interested: https://bricknerd.com/home/car-mods-customizing-the-speed-champions-camaro-zl1-and-ferrari-f40-7-29-24
@8lackmagic said:
"This doesn't particularly make me want to buy or build this set... however it DOES make me want to go and play Sega's Daytona USA. Gentlemen, start your engines!"
Ha, this set DOES have major Daytona USA vibes, especially with the wild colors.
Overall, I like that they went with some standout colors for this one, as it will DEFINITELY stand out on an SC shelf. But the color choices feel a wee bit juvenile to me - this is probably deliberate as this set seems much more "kid-friendly" than most other SC cars which can sometimes lean toward the delicate side of things. NASCAR is also a brand more known by kids - if there's a child out there who hears "Pagani" or "Koenigsegg" and gets excited they're probably in a program for mechanical engineering lol
I can't help but feel that the windscreen looks completely wrong, which in turn makes the entire nose look very weird. Maybe a hot take, but I think the 6-wide 75891 looked better when it comes to shaping. I do like the colors here though.
Which DC villain is Batman chasing again?
Loving the in-your-face colour scheme. Almost loud enough to take attention away from the mismatched sticker colours (hoping they're not quite so obvious in real life)
Personally I like the colour scheme, however as I never apply stickers I expect it wouldn't look very good if I built it.
It’s Speed Champions…… Count me in!
@WemWem said:
"NASCAR is also a brand more known by kids - if there's a child out there who hears "Pagani" or "Koenigsegg" and gets excited they're probably in a program for mechanical engineering lol"
That fully depends on where in the world: in the US (and maybe Canada?), sure. Any other country in the world? Very unlikely...
"Stickers"
"and arguably looks unrealistic, very much like a toy."
Wait... So Lego is not a toy? ;-P
Those stickers do my head in. I just built the Lambo Lambo and I need to take a breather from Speed Champions I guess. Maybe when I feel the need to be anmoyed by something again (and the price drops below 20,-) I'll get it.
I love the paint scheme and honestly I might pick this one up based on that alone. The form of the car is done fine, but isn't all that interesting without the colors to liven it up.
As someone who owns every eight wide Speed Champions we have never seen a lack of prints like this before. This IS a big downgrade in quality. Beautiful set otherwise.
@Crasha said:
""and arguably looks unrealistic, very much like a toy."
Wait... So Lego is not a toy? ;-P"
'It's a sophisticated interlocking brick system.' - The Man Upstairs
For those complaining about stickers vs prints. - that's a NASCAR-accurate thing, and is actually being closer to the real car than prints would have been. There's a reason why in the first CARS film, Lightning McQueen is nicknamed 'stickers' by some Radiator Springs residents...
That color scheme reminds me a bit of Cyber Slam/Competition :D
Guess prices for Danju minifigs are going to drop significantly now...
How would window nets be done? I have a bunch of 8 wide SC sets and I don’t think any of them have attempted that. Would you suggest one of the actual string nets that are around? Old school window lattice pieces? A new part?
I am asking honestly— I don’t know how they would pull it off in a reasonable fashion.
@SummerSanta said:
"As someone who owns every eight wide Speed Champions we have never seen a lack of prints like this before. This IS a big downgrade in quality. Beautiful set otherwise. "
So of the 8-wide SC sets before these new releases (not counting windscreens):
Zero prints - 2 sets
One print - 6 sets
Two prints - 6 sets
Three prints - 2 sets
Four prints - 2 sets
Five prints - 4 sets
Six prints - 1 set
This set has Five different prints by my count, putting it near the top and way above average.
@fakespacesquid said:
" @SummerSanta said:
"As someone who owns every eight wide Speed Champions we have never seen a lack of prints like this before. This IS a big downgrade in quality. Beautiful set otherwise. "
So of the 8-wide SC sets (not counting windscreens):
Zero prints - 2 sets
One print - 6 sets
Two prints - 6 sets
Three prints - 2 sets
Four prints - 2 sets
Five prints - 4 sets
Six prints - 1 set
This set has Five different prints by my count, putting it near the top and way above average."
Also worth noting, almost all of the Fives and Sixes are in the last year or wave. The vast, vast majority of SC decor has always been stickers
@Murdoch17 said:
"For those complaining about stickers vs prints. - that's a NASCAR-accurate thing, and is actually being closer to the real car than prints would have been. There's a reason why in the first CARS film, Lightning McQueen is nicknamed 'stickers' by some Radiator Springs residents..."
No, no, no. Stickers are bad and it is heresy to claim otherwise on here.
Seems like an unpopular take around here, but I don’t like the shaping at all…too square in places, not square enough in others. And while the color scheme is fun, it certainly doesn’t do the awkward shapes any favors. I’m a big NASCAR fan, but I’m out on this one.
Not a Nascar guy at all, but I really like the strong shapes of this set.
I own 75891, and I like it better than this one. Still a good set on the whole, but an easy pass for me.
Front looks weird. Like someone has stepped on it
I love this, but I miss the additional accessories / builds in the 6-wide series. I have 75891 and the refueller is a cool addition to the set.
Is it wrong that I want to copy the 8-wide build of this new one, but make it blue and apply the stickers from the 6-wide 75891 ?
@JavaBrix said:
"
Is it wrong that I want to copy the 8-wide build of this new one, but make it blue and apply the stickers from the 6-wide 75891 ?"
Nope, not wrong at all. It the way of LEGO - buy a set and modify it to make it better!
The purple/teal combo is very 1990s. It was used on everything back then. LEGO had a whole Technic subtheme that was primarily those colors: https://brickset.com/sets/subtheme-Competition
Has the same thing ever been listed as both a pro and a con before? That's pretty funny. As to the set, I have no intention of getting it, but I like some of the brick-built details, such as the fender on the hood and the interior details. Might have to look at the instructions just to get a look at how those are built.
@WemWem said:
"NASCAR is also a brand more known by kids - if there's a child out there who hears "Pagani" or "Koenigsegg" and gets excited they're probably in a program for mechanical engineering lol"
Nah, look - and I don't mean this as derisively as it sounds, but while the rest of the world knows about Nascar, it's kind of regarded as 'babys first motorsport'. We're aware of it but we don't care for it. Just like all countries have their peculiar sports that only make sense to the residents.
I reckon the best judge of what kids are in to when it comes to cars are what features in games like the 'Horizon' and 'GT' series, and in Hot Wheels toy assortments.
The colour scheme is too much?! Not at all! I love it!
@crankybricks said:
"The colour scheme is too much?! Not at all! I love it!"
There's a reason it's listed as both a pro and a con; it's definitely a "love it or hate it" kind of thing.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @JavaBrix said:
"
Is it wrong that I want to copy the 8-wide build of this new one, but make it blue and apply the stickers from the 6-wide 75891 ?"
Nope, not wrong at all. It the way of LEGO - buy a set and modify it to make it better!"
The Waygo, you might say.
@ShinyBidoof said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"For those complaining about stickers vs prints. - that's a NASCAR-accurate thing, and is actually being closer to the real car than prints would have been. There's a reason why in the first CARS film, Lightning McQueen is nicknamed 'stickers' by some Radiator Springs residents..."
No, no, no. Stickers are bad and it is heresy to claim otherwise on here.
"
No, Murdoch's right, sadly.
Colors are nice but too boxy for me, didn't like it.
@darthsutius said:
" @WemWem said:
"NASCAR is also a brand more known by kids - if there's a child out there who hears "Pagani" or "Koenigsegg" and gets excited they're probably in a program for mechanical engineering lol"
Nah, look - and I don't mean this as derisively as it sounds, but while the rest of the world knows about Nascar, it's kind of regarded as 'babys first motorsport'. We're aware of it but we don't care for it. Just like all countries have their peculiar sports that only make sense to the residents.
I reckon the best judge of what kids are in to when it comes to cars are what features in games like the 'Horizon' and 'GT' series, and in Hot Wheels toy assortments."
Aussie fan of NASCAR here. The sport is amazing. People may think it’s ‘baby’s first motorsport’ but it is very unique and requires specific expertise, which means that NASCAR has its own special place in the motorsport pantheon that no other form of racing can even touch.
I’ll by buying this as it’s one of the suffocatingly few pieces of official merchandise that you will find in everyday shops here.
And a note about Hot Wheels, etc: a US company called Lionel Racing has the exclusive licence to manufacture die-cast scale models of NASCAR vehicles, meaning it cannot be done by rival companies. Both Hot Wheels and Matchbox used to sell NASCAR models and they were available at any toy shop, so it’s no longer a good indicator of overseas interest.
Plus back in the 90s and early-to-mid 2000s NASCAR had popularity never before seen in the USA, rivaling the sports monolith that is the NFL, and you had movies like Days of Thunder and Talladega Nights driving additional interest. For various reasons that interest has declined, which also contributes to the interest dwindling outside of the USA’s borders.
I’m hopeful that with the continued success of New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen, and Daniel Suarez from Mexico, it can be led to a bit of a resurgence.
I dont care about speedchampions, but this is one of the coolest one for sure.
When it comes to the color scheme I love the front, the middle is just ok, but I hate the back!
Wow! A CAR!
Yes, that sure is a car. A very bold looking car too. One mifght even say... a NAScar.
Regarding the "frustrating omissions such as the inexplicable lack of window nets": inexplicable?! How could they have included them? Printed on the inside of the window piece? The nets are not/hardly noticeable in the reference picture, I don't miss them at all.
Another +1 for the livery. I love its vibrancy, originality, and appropriateness. I've seen American NASCAR fans deride it for not replicating any specific real car. I applaud the significant effort invested to create and implement such an exciting and complete graphic scheme. Its visual audacity is certainly far from unprecedented IRL (looking at you, Jeff Gordon).
@Binnekamp said:
"Wow! A CAR!
Yes, that sure is a car. A very bold looking car too. One mifght even say... a NAScar."
As in nice car?
@Thunderbear said:
"Regarding the "frustrating omissions such as the inexplicable lack of window nets": inexplicable?! How could they have included them? Printed on the inside of the window piece? The nets are not/hardly noticeable in the reference picture, I don't miss them at all."
Printed on the side of the windscreen would have been fine, I think. Their absence does not spoil the set by any stretch, but window nets are a major distinguishing feature of NASCAR racers and the earlier 75891 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Race Car included them, using a sticker, so I think it was reasonable to expect them here.
I have almost every single Speed Champions set ever made.
I will not be picking this up.
@8lackmagic: ...Daaytoonaaaaa...Daaaaytooonaaaaaa (Let's go away, Let's go away)... (That song neeeever gets 'old'.:D)
Love the colour scheme. Really striking. Reminds me of a hot wheels car. I personally have no issues with stickers when there is a good reason for them. In this case all the decals would be transfers on real life so its even more accurate.
Love it. Dont have many speed champions as i fins many boring especially on colour scheme but will buy this one.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @Thunderbear said:
"Regarding the "frustrating omissions such as the inexplicable lack of window nets": inexplicable?! How could they have included them? Printed on the inside of the window piece? The nets are not/hardly noticeable in the reference picture, I don't miss them at all."
Printed on the side of the windscreen would have been fine, I think. Their absence does not spoil the set by any stretch, but window nets are a major distinguishing feature of NASCAR racers and the earlier 75891 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Race Car included them, using a sticker, so I think it was reasonable to expect them here."
Thanks for pointing that out, I didn't know they printed the nets on the 75891 set. Now I understand your comment better. Sorry if I was a bit harsh.
Front windscreen makes it look weird. Needs to be a lot more of a slanted curve
@Murdoch17 said:
"Bricknerd has an article on recoloring this set and the Ferrari F40, in case any one is interested: https://bricknerd.com/home/car-mods-customizing-the-speed-champions-camaro-zl1-and-ferrari-f40-7-29-24"
oh excellent. I like the LeMans Camaro enough. I just hate NASCAR... if Lego is serious about about a push towards enviornmental sustainability then none of the race series are good (except perhaps formula-e which I think they never made a car from!), but nascar is the worst! really old technology and they just drive in a circle.
they moved from carburetors well after any passenger vehicle did and they only moved to ethanol to be more green (really not such a big effort / move on their side! It also allowed them to easily increase compression ratios, so being green might not have even been the main reason!)
When seeing this for the first time, I thought it was mostly just stacked bricks. But in fact it is built a lot more interestingly than I thought at first.
In a review like this, I think it would have been even better if there were some pictures and comments about the build process to highlight this.
I feel at this point when reviewing a Speed Champions set, a large number of stickers will always to be expected to where we can shouldn't be using 'Large number of stickers' as a point against it.
@Brickerika said:
"I feel at this point when reviewing a Speed Champions set, a large number of stickers will always to be expected to where we can shouldn't be using 'Large number of stickers' as a point against it."
Yeah, it's sort of a given, especially with a racing car, as those will have a lot of sponsor logos.
I was hoping for a more realistic paint scheme, but this will still end up being a buy for me. Raise hell, praise Dale!
Honestly, the over-the-top paint is the main reason I WANT this set. I'm not a racing fan, but I love brightly colored builds!
@BlackFalconBirdman said:
oh excellent. I like the LeMans Camaro enough. I just hate NASCAR... if Lego is serious about about a push towards enviornmental sustainability then none of the race series are good (except perhaps formula-e which I think they never made a car from!), but nascar is the worst! really old technology and they just drive in a circle.]]
Lego have made a few Formula E models; two in Technic (Porsche and McLaren licenses, 42137 and 42169), and one as part of a Jaguar 2-pack with the I-Pace SUV (76898) which was raced as a support series to Formula E itself for a couple of years. They also made a Technic Extreme E set (McLaren license, 42166) this year, which is an all-electric off-road rally racing series (that is about to morph into a hydrogen-powered series).