Review: 30510 90 Years of Cars
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO has released various products to celebrate their ninetieth anniversary in 2022, including the little 30510 90 Years of Cars. However, these four vehicles are interesting.
The models take inspiration from previous LEGO designs and are certainly recognisable, although maybe too simple in some areas.
Summary
30510 90 Years of Cars, 71 pieces.
These tributes to classic LEGO vehicles are fun, but could have included greater detail
- Consistent and charming style
- Good coverage of vehicle types
- Perhaps too simple in areas
The Completed Model
Acknowledging the entire history of LEGO in four vehicles would obviously be impossible, but I was hoping the inspiration would begin slightly earlier than 1975. Nevertheless, I also think 392 Formula 1 looks excellent at this scale, particularly because of its distinctive colour scheme. The open cockpit is very basic, although recreating bands of yellow and blue was paramount.
Moreover, I appreciate the integration of red wheel bearings to evoke the red wheel caps found on the original model! These wider elements also suit a Formula 1 car, creating an authentic gap between the wheels and the chassis, with appropriate proportions beside both the front and rear wings.
This version of 6538 Rebel Roadster exaggerates features of the original model even more than 392 Formula 1. Once again though, the colour scheme is vital to identifying the vehicle and I like the trans-light blue windows in particular, coming directly from the 1994 set. Also, the light bluish grey engine recreates another important feature of the classic hot rod.
However, the extreme simplification of each model also means the differing wheel sizes from the original car are missing from the 2022 design. I can understand the resistance to using a single pair of bigger wheels in this polybag though, so perhaps including a plate above the rear wheels would have been equally effective in duplicating the 1994 vehicle's distinctive forward rake.
7236 Police Car was released in 2005 and I remember enjoying the set as a child, so I am glad that was chosen for this polybag. The relatively basic hatchback shape suits this style, while the balance between black and white works well. Furthermore, the addition of a trans-blue 1x2 tile representing the siren looks splendid.
The proportions of these small models could prove divisive, as their wheels are situated outside the chassis. In the case of the police car though, the protruding wheels are surprisingly accurate to the source material, as 7236 Police Car was produced before the broad selection of LEGO tyres available today.
Given the enormous range of potential options, this iteration of 31079 Sunshine Surfer Van is perhaps the most unexpected addition to the set. After all, the original model was only released in 2018 and is not notably memorable, in my opinion. This colour scheme is appealing though and I am pleased the designer, George Gilliatt, chose to include multiple vehicle types.
The shape of the camper van is immediately recognisable, but the spacing of the wheels seems awkward. Unfortunately, I am uncertain how that could have been rectified at this scale without complicating the model. Another version of the polybag with a higher age recommendation could have been interesting, although the simple designs do possess a certain charm.
Overall
While not quite achieving the character of creations from 11021 90 Years of Play, this polybag is an appealing companion for the bigger set. 30510 90 Years of Cars presents a consistent style and the basic selection of parts encourages building even more vehicles, which is the purpose of Classic sets, after all.
The only feature I think could have been retained from the original set, without spoiling the style of these vehicles, is the forward rake of 6538 Rebel Roadster. Otherwise, these tributes to past sets look superb. The distribution of this polybag has been quite limited though, only appearing on a Donald Duck magazine in certain European countries. Hopefully that will change, so everybody has a chance to expand their ninetieth anniversary collection.
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27 comments on this article
I have a feeling that 31079 might be a future classic - it's a really great set.
My favorite recreation of these is that of the Formula 1.
@TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"I have a feeling that 31079 might be a future classic - it's a really great set."
I agree, it's quite underrated. It makes a great parts pack at the right price, too.
The police car reminds me of a shortened 600-2.
I (my kids) was fortunate enough to get this at a make and take at Smyths back in July.
Bought this set abut 3 months ago. but had to buy it from a European seller since it hasn't been released in the US yet.
I love that the mini 6538 has a bigger engine than the full sized one!
Such a shame this polybag isn't all that widely available. Again.
But I really appreciate the existence of this. Personally I would consider the white wheel caps for the F1 model a con, as I didn't even recognise it and couldn't make the connection to its era because red wheels were more common back then anyay. Also, I think the police car would have benefitted from moving the 1x2 tile back a stud because the distinctive thing on the original is that the roof slopes a bit and only allows the sirens to sit at the back.
Beyond that it's great to see such a diverse range of subjects!
And yes, the sunshine van is great from what I've seen of it. I just need to free the budget to get one one day! I love how this mini version somehow has the small surfboard part. It makes it look super deformed, and cute!
I had 392 as a child, bought on holiday in Wales in 1979 and assembled with my dad on the floor of the guest house. The F1 car here would look so much better with red wheels and rather than the blue 2x2 tile, I would do a blue 2x1 jumper behind the transparent slope with a 1x1 blue brick to suggest the high level air box. Still looks like a great little set overall though!
Weird, I thought the current state of the Technic theme was TLG's way of celebrating cars...
Both my girls got this from the entertainer as a make and take, awesome little set!
In the U.S. I was able to find this Polybag and a few others in a regional sporting goods store called Scheels. I've also read reports of them being found in Lego Discovery Centers but there are none of those near me. I don't know why Lego is making it so difficult for their customers to access these items.
@TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"I have a feeling that 31079 might be a future classic - it's a really great set."
Absolutely. The alternate builds are very decent too. Truly a great Creator 3in1 set.
To me, the police car looks like 420-1 . Or the car in 560-2 . Both of which I own!
Love these! They remind me of the vehicles on page 1 of Lego Ideas Book number 1 221
https://lego.brickinstructions.com/en/lego_instructions/set/221/Idea_Book_1
I used to build a rebuild these all the time :)
I absolutely love the idea, although the implementation is a bit too rudimentary for me. Something akin to 4002016 50 Years on Track would have been perfect.
Even so, nice little poly!
Same as with 30590 , this great little set is nowhere in sight here in Italy. A real bummer.
Usually, when I see a recent LEGO set I think ‘I could never design that.’ But looking at this makes me think ‘yeah, I could design that.’ If nothing else, this set makes me feel good about my MOCing skills :~P
I like this set but agree that they could have started a bit earlier than 1975. My favourite 315-3 taxi would have been ideal.
In general the 90 years celebration seems to have been a bit lacking in the years between wooden toys and Galaxy Explorer.
(But hurry up releasing the square spinning 1960s Lego System keyring and all is forgiven!)
I found one of these at a Legoland Discovery Center in Columbus, OH. My son enjoyed putting it together, but the references were probably lost on him.
I have 6538 and 7236, so I'll have to get this if I can. So if they were willing to produce the axle plates in red for the first time for the 392 homage, wouldn't the wheel hubs have been a better choice?
Formula one should have had red hubs, Hot Rod front rake for sure and police car darker windshields for accuracy. No comment on van, it is what it is. Cute set overall.
@TransNeonOrangeSpaceman said:
"I have a feeling that 31079 might be a future classic - it's a really great set."
Absolutely, have one and gifted one to friends of mine touring the country in a converted van and it sits proudly on the dash! It's a great set and was a fun build too
Oh come on, they could have at least made the wheels red on the formula 1.
I find it strange that looking at the blue formula 1 car made out of, what, 15 ordinary parts, makes me happy. I guess that is the power of nostalgia.
They need to be a bit larger and more detailed otherwise just classic bricks and wheels 11014.
I don't get it. I see 4 incredibly simplistic cars that apart from a few pieces could have been released in 1972. They reference sets from a time span of 43 years.
How does that represent 90 years of cars?
Regardless of the accuracy to the original inspirations, these vehicle are just the kind of thing I love to build with a few pieces & my daughter loves playing with them. I'll have to look out for this one.