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https://brickset.com/sets/75884-1/1968-Ford-Mustang-Fastback
So far, we’ve seen Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Chevy, and Bugatti. The Ferrari 312T4 from 75889 also has a FIAT logo on it, and while FIAT did own a share of Ferrari for a long time, it makes me wonder if LEGO now has that license. If they do, then that would give them access to Dodge, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and Maserati. Maybe even the long defunct Plymouth.
In addition, having the Bugatti, Audi, and Porsche licenses means they also have some type of deal with VW Group. This means that they may have access to Bentley, specifically the Continental GT3, and Lamborghini. Also, while both Pontiac and Oldsmobile are long gone, LEGO could technically release a GTO or Cutlass 442 if General Motors permits it. LEGO could even throw a Buick Grand National or Buick GNX out there if they wanted to, but again, GM probably has to permit it first.
Basically, I think LEGO realizes that this theme is something that they cannot just discontinue if TRU’s situation worsens, and it’s only TRU exclusive within the United States. They invested a lot, and the theme has proven to be popular enough to the point where automotive websites have written about them. There’s too much potential here for it to be axed anytime soon.
Furthermore, there’s still the Japanese auto manufacturers, BMW, Aston Martin, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Jaguar, and Lotus. Heck, there’s a supercar manufacturer in LEGO’s home country.
My only wish is that we get more road cars, as well as more classics, especially within the smaller sets. I also wish the line was 2 waves per year like just about every other theme.
"Pontiac and Oldsmobile are long gone"
@CaptainLego you're making some of us feel really old.
Actually, here’s an incomplete list of iconic cars and racing legends that LEGO could do in SC with its current brands:
Mercedes-Benz W196/W196 Streamliner
Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Sauber-Mercedes C9
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 16 Cosworth/Evolution
McLaren F1 GTR (I built an F1 LM myself, and it’s still my favorite MOC, but it would be nice to see the official LEGO take on this icon.)
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
Bugatti Type 35(Won over 1000 races in its day)
Bugatti EB110
Ferrari 375 F1(Won Ferrari its first F1 win in 1951)
Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Ferrari 288 GTO
Ferrari F40
Ferrari F50
Ferrari Enzo
Porsche 356
Porsche 956
Porsche 962
Porsche 959
Porsche 911 GT1
Porsche Carerra GT
Audi Sport Quattro
1963 Corvette Stingray Split Window
Chevy Chevelle SS
Ford Torino Cobra
Ford GT40 MK4(Actually looks different than the GT40 they did last year.
New cars they could do include the Ferrari 812 Superfast, McLaren Senna, 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, 2019 Ford Mustang Bullit, Corvette C7R, Audi R8 V10, Mercedes-Benz Project One(if it makes production), etc
I’m not sure if a deal with Ford could mean access to Shelby, but I hope so. Overall, I think the theme is going to remain primarily European cars, as while both the United States and Japan have proven themselves in the automotive world, European manufacturers have almost always dominated the field that Speed Champions is mostly based on.
EDIT: Dang, I just realized it’s been 17 years since Plymouth was axed, 14 years since Oldsmobile was axed, and 8 years since Pontiac was axed.
We can take it on the run, baby!
(I really would like a Hudson Hornet - for real.)
But if that’s the case, we better get this:
I have to say, every time I put one of these cars together it's just so satisfying. May this theme last for a long, long time - I'll keep getting them as long as it does.
The builds are easy enough to assemble by kids, but perhaps LEGO has decided gearheads are their main target. Many gearheads have kids too :P.
If so, I personally think that’s fantastic. It’s definitely working, considering multiple automotive news sites have written about them.
The classic 911 Turbo 3.0/930 Turbo in 75888 is a 70s icon, and the Ferrari 250 GTO in 75889 is one of the most beautiful cars of all time, and the 250 GTO fetches insane prices when it come up for auction, and have an insane price tag when it come up for private sale.
I didn’t include the Mustang and Camaro because those are very well known, and only avid fans of Formula One/motorsports will know about the 312 T4.
Also, LEGO needs to release a Porsche 956 and Porsche 962. These two are the reason why Porsche had a 7 year win streak at Le Mans. In total, Porsche has 19 total wins at Le Mans, making them the most successful brand at Le Mans to date.
My Gremlin had a 235HP straight 6 engine and I beat Camaros and Mustangs off the line, repeatedly. It was so over-powered but I loved it. The only problem was that around 90 mph or so the dash would violently shake, so I would lose most races for distance, but the looks on their faces when I beat them off the line...
I'd really love to see the Richard Petty Plymouth Superbird make an appearance in this line. Nor would I mind a Jeff Gordon rainbow warrior car from the 1990's.
IndyCar is by far my favorite racing series, and I'd love to see some of those cars recreated in Lego, such as the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winning STP sponsored car driven by Mario Andretti.
IMSA and NHRA have had some nice designs over the years too.
Unfortunately, IndyCar/IMSA/NASCAR/NHRA may be considered too localized for Lego to consider.
If things get even worse, I hope LEGO is already searching for a new major retailer to stock Speed Champions in the states. I don’t think they’ll discontinue a successful line over this, but I also don’t want to lose the ability to actually buy the sets in stores.
Also, there are always sets exclusive to particular retailers. (Landspeeder, Penguin Limo, Ra's al Ghul, etc...)
Sets, yes, but I can’t think of another theme that was exclusive to one retailer from the beginning.
It won’t just be LEGO. There are other brands and toys and stuff exclusive to TRU in the states. If anything, other retailers will probably have a field day with this, because they’ll be trying to compete for all those potential sales in the toy isle. That’s just how business works. You want people to come to your store, be it for groceries or for LEGO or for action figures. Thus, someone will want to fill that void because it’s good for business.
Babies R Us is owned by Toys R Us as far as I am aware, but they may not be affected if their business is in better shape. I admittedly have not been following all the details of the Toys R Us issues and therefore do not know if Babies R Us is also affected.
One way that Babies R Us stores could be affected though is that at some locations they are a combined store, as in a Toys R Us and Babies R Us sharing the same building. I would suspect that if Toys R Us does have to liquidate, those combined stores would be affected by the Babies R Us side also needing to liquidate or moving to a smaller location nearby.
That being said, I do not see how Babies R Us stores being involved would affect the future of the Speed Champions theme.
I’m not holding my breath on that or on a miracle that saves TRU, but, I am expecting some really intense competition to fill that void in the worse case scenario. It’s certainly plausible that a toy chain from outside the country might see an opportunity to establish themselves here in the wake of TRU’s demise, which is not only going to hurt LEGO, but Mattel and Hasbro as well. They are the three biggest toy companies, so they’re gonna want to recuperate those losses by any means possible.
Yeah, there is 100% a niche there for a chain that is NOT poorly operated and poorly managed. It's not going to be the most glamorous, or the highest return, but there is still quite a lot of money to be made if someone can move in and steal as much of TRU's market segment as they possibly can.