Review: LEGO 40409 Hot-Rod (GWP)

Today we are talking about the small LEGO set again 40409 Hot Rod currently offered from € 85 purchase on the official online store. Those who follow already know that this small box of 142 pieces is a promotional product inspired by the vehicle marketed in 1995 under the reference Model Team 5541 Blue Fury then reissued in 2004 under the reference 10151 Hot Rod.

This miniature version which will therefore bring back memories to those who have played with the reference model is assembled in a few minutes but the result seems quite acceptable for a promotional product.

I have given you an exploded view of the vehicle, although the assembly process is more linear and does not divide into sub-modules like in the photo below. A few stickers to apply, including a rear license plate that alludes to the reference Model Team 5541 set, and voila. This Hot Rod can easily be circulated in the streets of your LEGO city using Modulars or CITY sets, as long as you agree to spend at least € 85 on the official store.

We can think that with the prices charged by LEGO, this minimum purchase is not that high, but it is up to everyone to assess the interest of the expense with the feeling of "forcing" to to buy something at the public price to be offered an additional product.

The two minifigs provided in this little promotional set are obviously not "rare" or exclusive: the young mechanic's head comes from the LEGO Creator Expert set. 10264 Corner Garage, the cap with integrated hair is the one seen in many CITY sets and the torso is also delivered in the CITY sets 60258 Tuning Workshop et 60232 Garage Center.

The driver's torso is the one seen in the sets 70657 Ninjago City Docks et 60233 Donut Shop Opening, stained legs are in the LEGO Hidden Side set 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000.

As usual, one should not be too demanding on the finish of these two minifigs and the official visuals were once again much more optimistic on this point: the yellow area of ​​the torso turns green or orange depending on the the color of the part that LEGO has pad-printed the graphic details on and the injection point on the side of the cap with integrated hair is really visible.

In short, it's up to you to decide if this small vehicle and the two characters that accompany it deserve to pay for one or more sets at full price on the official store.

For what it's worth, I think this promotional product at least has the merit of being a real set with some original construction techniques and a very decent finish. It is offered, but it is not sloppy.

Note: The product shown here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at 11th June 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.