LEGO Technic 42111 Dom’s Dodge Charger Review
The Fast & Furious franchise is huge, and so it was only a matter of time until a LEGO collaboration was on the cards. So here we are with LEGO Technic 42111 Dom’s Dodge Charger, a recreation of the iconic vehicle that Fast & Furious fans will surely want to build and display. But is it worth their hard-earned money?
What’s in the box?
Four lots of bags are in the box, ensuring that you don’t have to have too many bricks laying around for each part of the build. Though of course, being a Technic set, there are bags within those bags, mainly full of tiny lugs.
A 236-page instruction book is also included, with some pages dedicated to showing the various Dodge Chargers that have been featured in the Fast & Furious films. And last but not least, there’s a sticker sheet with some 13 stickers.
The build
With the first set of bags you build the chassis of the Dodge Charger, which is a very solid structure when completed. Things get more interesting when you move onto the second set of bags, with which you build the vehicle’s engine, complete with moving pistons, before mounting it. Once that’s done, you then assemble and connect the tyres, which feels a little early, but it’s nice to feel things coming together.
With set of bags number three, you start to build the bodywork, and this is when things start to feel really rewarding. With each panel you build and place, the model begins to look more and more like its inspiration. The instructions aren’t always crystal clear, however, and so there might be some frustration when it comes to securing and connecting certain parts.
You’re on the home stretch when you reach set of bags numero four. With the front of the vehicle pretty much completed, it’s now time to finish the back and apply the finishing touches. Again, there are some fiddly parts, but on the whole it’s an enjoyable build, with some nifty techniques used to provide great detail.
Play or display?
LEGO Technic 42111 Dom’s Dodge Charger is one of those sets that’s suitable for both play and display. At 1077, pieces it’s fairly detailed and considerable in size, meaning any Fast & Furious fan would likely be happy with it resting on a shelf or on their desk. It even has a built-in stand that makes it look like it’s doing a wheelie.
With features such as opening doors, boot and bonnet, however, as well as working steering (controlled by a gear located on the rear of the vehicle) and moving pistons, kids (including big ones) will get some enjoyment from rolling it around. It’s fairly robust, too, and has working suspension. So, play or display? It’s truly up to you.
Value for money?
With an RRP of £89.99, we feel that Dom’s Dodge Charger offers excellent value for money. It doesn’t have the detail of, let’s say, the LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, but that’s nearly four times the price for just over three times the pieces. It occupies that great middle ground, carefully balancing affordability with detail and features. And as you can frequently get it with 20% or so off via retailers such as Amazon, any Fast & Furious or LEGO fan would be wise to add it to their collection.
