Such a fun theme! This is easily one of the best sets from this series and an absolute must-have as the Scooby gang travels from one local to another on their mystery capers and adventures.

You get four minifigures with this set. The "standard" Shaggy and Scooby who appear in every set. Fred, who only appears and comes in this set and a zombie. Overall, this is a good assortment of figures.

The main build is, of course, The Mystery Machine Van with room for a driver and passenger, and when Daphne and Velma are gotten from other sets, room for them to sit in the back.

A secondary, smaller build is that of a spooky, animated tree.

There's plenty here for many children to have a scene and mystery to solve. Older collectors have a fantastic build design with the Mystery Machine to set out for display.

Set #75902 The Mystery Machine: LEGO has given us many iconic vehicles from our youths. We’ve seen the DeLorean, the Ecto-1, the TARDIS and even multiple iterations of the X-Wing, and now one of the biggest cartoon canines in history has achieved LEGO stardom with a Theme, whose biggest draw has been this one set, the Mystery Machine. Now we’ll discuss this set and lay it out for you.

Box/Instructions

Box: This is the penultimate set of the Theme, the iconic Mystery Machine and the box really showcases the set quite nicely. The design is eye catching for adults and kids alike and is truly unique amongst other LEGO Themes of a similar nature.

The back shows off the features of the set quite nicely and helps tell a small little story to boot with the members of Mystery Inc. catching the current crook in a mask and exposing him/her for the fraud that they are.

Instructions: The build is broken up between two numbered instruction manuals. The first covers Bag number one and the second deals with Bags 2 and 3. Both manuals have the same level of understanding and design that we’ve come to understand from LEGO… and I’ve said that so many times now I’m starting to use weird descriptors. Ahem, anyway the back of the first manual includes the cross-promotions for the entire Theme and the back of the second includes a parts list.

You’ll also find a sticker sheet in the set, be aware this can be damaged in the packing process as there are no protective measures for it.

Parts

This set is loaded with parts in Mystery Machine colours. Outside of LEGO Friends I don’t believe you’ll find these colours in traditional LEGO Themes, so this is a great set to buy multiples of when on sale if you’re looking to build up a stock of parts for your MOCs. The best elements in my opinion are the printed flower designs on the LEGO trash can lids/radar dishes and the larger radar dish piece, which is all kinds of fun for Psychedelic MOCs.

Minifigures

Fred: You only find Freddie in this set and he looks perfect, the printing on his torso for his ascot is the only amount of detail you get as far as torso printing goes, but it’s all you need for Fred Jones. His hair piece is a great new sculpt representing his customary look as well, he comes with a magnifying glass accessory that really works and a printed tile with the clue for solving the mystery.

Scooby-Doo: This version is using the standing body on four legs and the teeth chattering head for when he’s scared. Not much more to say, it’s the same great pair of pieces that truly captures the look of Scooby.

Shaggy: He’s just like all the rest, there’s no unique printing on this Shaggy, and no real accessories as most of those get stored in the van. Still a nice looking Minifigure from the set.

Zombie: Unlike the other creeps in this Theme there’s no unmasking for Zeke the Zombie. Mostly because he doesn’t have a head gear piece to hide the unmasked expression on the other end, but there’s still a hint as to less than Supernatural presence here as the back of the head is printed with two button pieces showing that he’s a man in a mask. He has no accessories and only a double-sided torso print with a very frumpy looking jacket and shirt underneath.

The build

Bag 1: Scooby and Shaggy hop out of their plastic bag prison and join you as you construct the central chassis and entire bulk of the lower section of the Mystery Machine. This build is done in roughly 44 pages and is relatively easy to follow along with. The biggest point of trouble younger builders may ask assistance for is the placement of the numerous stickers on the parts for the detailing that runs along the sides of the Mystery Machines. The bulk of which is created with applying stickers rather than printing the elements. And these parts are smooth sloped pieces predominantly.

Bag 2: Fred Jones joins the group at the start of Bag 2, now he can help Shaggy and Scooby finish off his favorite ride. During this build you’ll be putting all of the finishing touches on the Mystery Machine except for the roof, so the sides, the tires and the front windshield. There will be more stickers for detailing being used here, this time on the 1x4 wall pieces which are sunken in on one side, used more often than not for fancy computer monitor screens in old City sets and stuff.

Aside from that I don’t believe there’s any other part of this build that will require older assistance. Once you’re done you can move on to Bag 3.

Bag 3: The evil Zombie creep leaps out and builds an impressive ghastly looking monster tree. Scooby and his pals can finish the Mystery Machine by building the roof this time. All of this is very quick and easy to build and again I say the only truly tricky part is the placement of the sticker for the monster tree’s face. This one might require deft finger work and stuff. Once it’s all finished though it’s time to play and explore with Scooby and the gang.

The completed model

Monster Tree: This little model is like another character, it features moveable limbs to terrorize the gang and a little spot for the Zombie to stand while he’s secretly controlling it with the hidden control unit. (A sticker on the back) He also has a hidden jewel, the missing item stolen by the masked creep.

Mystery Machine: This model looks great. Not perfect mind you, but great. The stickers add to the detailing quite nicely ensuring that everything matches up with the animated counterpart of the original Mystery Machine.

The roof lifts off to give you access to inside, and the rear section swings open on two hinge joints. Stored in the back is a small stove and sink for Shaggy to prepare food. Some computer equipment for Velma which can be rotated on the hinge joints they have. And storage space for a camera and a flashlight. Sitting in the back is a Shaggy Snack as well.

Now we come to the negative aspect of the model. You can’t fit the entire Mystery Inc. gang inside. There’s enough space to fit two figures in the front and Scooby can go in the back on a series of jumpers. If you don’t put Scooby in then you might get two Minifigures inside in his place, by then there’s no room for Scooby. It is an unfortunate issue, but all of the Minifigures in this set can fit inside the vehicle, so at least there’s that. I’m sure with enough messing around you might find a way to get everybody in, however since the other sets include vehicles of their own you could always have Velma and Daphne drive their own rides to the Mystery.

Overall opinion

This is a great set, which features an awesome model and some nice Minifigures. As a fan of Scooby-Doo I’m pleased to see such an impressive looking Mystery Machine. It does suffer slightly from certain design necessities, however it looks great and is an iconic vehicle that will look great next to the other vehicles of this type from LEGO Ideas and DC Super Heroes and such. I strongly recommend this set to everybody, you can’t go wrong with the Mystery Machine.

This is probably the one set every Scooby-Doo fan will buy from the theme due to its iconic status. Is it represented well?

Box/Instructions

The boxes for the Scooby-Doo line are great, with a bright yellow-green background with a wavy border and a ghost around the Scooby-Doo logo, and the contrasting spooky background where the set is shown.

Parts

The parts here are pretty nice, as there's a lot of lime green and medium azure, as well as some orange. The windshield is a new piece, too.

Minifigures

Shaggy and Scooby are the main characters of the show, so they've been included in every set. Shaggy's head is the same in every set but the smallest, and shows a goofy grin on one side, and a worried frown on the other, with his trademark chin whiskers. It's been said before, but Shaggy really doesn't look properly scared with this head, which is odd, because he and Scooby were always the most cowardly characters. His hair is new and nicely sculpted, and his torso is minimally detailed but still quite accurate.

Scooby-Doo is the standing version here, and looks really nice, with his colors and printing looking just like the cartoon. His collar is nicely done, and his tail is rubberized to prevent it from breaking. His head is a separate piece mounted on a pin, which allows it to rotate and be switched between Scooby figures.

Fred is exclusive to this set. He has a new hairpiece in cool yellow which represents his hairstyle well, and his typical outfit is nicely printed on his torso and continued with his legs.

The Zombie here is probably meant to be the criminal Zeke in disguise, but the model for the Zombie has been recycled many times, and this color palette for the outfit was not Zeke. His face is in Spring Green, but I feel that the face is a bit too generic. He doesn't have the same sad/pathetic look, although the face looks good on its own. It also looks different without the pointy ears, but that can slide. The Zombie's tattered coat and shirt are printed nicely. Interestingly, due to his bald head, the Zombie is the only villain in the theme who cannot be unmasked. However, they've still made it clear it's a costume by printing buttons on the back of his head holding together the mask.

The build

The build is fairly easy, and the techniques aren't too advanced.

The completed model

The supplementary model and the threat here is a haunted tree. It doesn't entirely correspond to any particular villain from the show, but it still looks nice. It's rather short for the size of the face (a sticker, but a great one), but it's only a secondary build. The tree is actually an animatronic robot being controlled by the Zombie, as there's a control panel and a diamond (probably a power source) on the back. As a result, its arms can move on ball joints and the branches on top can be adjusted. There's no real place to put the Zombie, as there's not even a row of studs behind the tree to stand him on.

The Mystery Machine itself looks great. Its appearance is heavily aided by stickers, but I found them all to be fairly easy to line up due to the shape of the pieces and the stickers used on them. The floral-patterned dishes used as hubcaps and on the front are printed, though. The front seats Shaggy and Fred, or any other combination of the Mystery Gang, and the roof comes off and the sides hinge open to reveal the interior. There's a small kitchen area with a gigantic sandwich for Shaggy and/or Scooby, some retro computer screens with a radar scanner and the Zombie, and a row of jumper tiles for Scooby to stand on. The walls are stickered with some bulletin boards of information.

The only problem here is that the set as designed will not fit all four of the Mystery Gang. However, it's very easy to do so. Removing the sandwich and sink will give you seats for two of them in the back, though, and using sitting Scooby instead of the standing version will crowd the figures less.

Overall opinion

I think this is a great set. It provides an iconic vehicle and an exclusive team member, and has some good play value. I'd recommend this to anybody interested in Scooby-Doo and this theme.

This is my first Lego review. I just started collecting Lego last year after Christmas, and I've greatly enjoyed it. I picked up 15 sets in 2015, this being my latest. I am an AFOL male (age 39) who grew up watching Scooby Doo. I used to have nightmares actually, but I couldn't resist watching.

I love all the light blue pieces which have a beautiful color tone. The spare tire and the hubcaps are printed pieces. Everything else is stickers. And there are a ton of stickers for such a small set. Placing the stickers perfectly was a challenge but one that I actually enjoyed. The Mystery Machine decals look especially "groovy", but one must take care to line up the stickers so the word art adjoins. Many folks hate stickers, but this set greatly benefits from their inclusion IMO.

There are several fun play features. I especially love the printed newspaper piece. The computer screen found on the back of the monster tree reveals it is actually a robot. The large sandwich is cute as well as is the magnifying glass which your minifigs can keep on hand.

The set includes Scooby, Shaggy, zombie, and (most importantly) Fred. Zombie impostor has a head print on the back which reveals a couple of button, indicating he is wearing a mask.

Everything looks great. Super fun to play with and also to display as it is so iconic. Feels like it could be a Lego Ideas set. Get this set. Again, it is so iconic. LEGO did a great job with this design.

I am an AFOL, but for the most part have stepped back into my dark ages over the last 5 years (kids growing up and too many competing interests!) EXCEPT for the rare must-have item. When I saw this set, it was truly "must have." I'm glad I got it!

Box/Instructions

The box and instructions are both fine. Nothing special here. Like with most modern sets, the instructions are a little bit overly simplistic. This is a far cry from the "figure it out yourself" instructions from when I was a kid. I liked the old kind better, even when I was 8.

Parts

The 8-wide windshield is great. It's probably used in other sets, but it's a first for me. Other than that, no real surprises until you account for the awesome juxtaposition of blue and green colors. They're a perfect match for the Mystery Machine! The van's hubcaps and front dish are printed. Everything else is a sticker. Not ideal, but it keeps the colors true and I'm sure prevents this from being a much more expensive set. It also has two black lightsaber handles (for flashlights), a minifig camera, and a minifig magnifying glass. Carrot stems hold the foliage on Mr. Zombie's tree; I like that.

To be completely critical, i'm afraid I have to say that the decal printing was a little off for one of the sides of the van. Put together, I don't think it's all that noticeable unless you're looking/obsessing very closely.

Minifigures

Fred, Shaggy, and Scooby are all done really, really well. The hair for Fred and Shaggy is spot-on; both have a modest amount of back detailing and reversible heads. Shaggy has short sleeves. The zombie torso is great and will work with tons of applications. I love the zombie's untucked shirt in olive green--soooo many applications for this torso!

The build

Overall, a fun build (except for the stickers-what did you expect!). It's not technical, but it moves along at a good pace that I found very enjoyable. The lower half of the van is essentially SNOT for all visible surfaces. There is tongue-and-cheek humor built-in; there's a stove (and sink) in the van along with a huge Shaggy sandwich.

The completed model

Absolutely perfect! The model truly looks like the Mystery Machine as I remember it from more than 40 years ago. There is instant playability as well. We get heroes, villains, jesters, and the kinetic awesomeness of a 1960's hippie van....all in one $30 set! I really can't imagine them doing a more accurate rendition, especially at this price point.

Overall opinion

Speaking of the price point, I think that's great too! $30 for a licensed set with this much nostalgia, this much play potential, and such great minifugures is the closest you're going to come to a steal at retail value. I mean, seriously, how can you look at this set and not smile? I mean, the thing just exudes fun! It just exudes cool!

Must-have set of the year---and it's only 30 bucks!