Review : LEGO Creator Expert 10265 Ford Mustang

We continue with a quick glance at the LEGO Creator Expert set 10265 Ford Mustang (1471 pieces - 139.99 €) which this year joins the list of more or less successful vehicles marketed so far in this range. The most recent, theAston Martin DB5 from set 10262, wasn't really convincing and you don't have to be an expert at anything to guess that this Ford Mustang is upping the bar.

This new box is also reassuring: by choosing the right model to reproduce and the right designer to manage the conversion to LEGO sauce, it is proof that we can obtain a truly successful model. Everything is not perfect in this new set, but the balance between the aesthetic aspect and the various integrated functions is coherent.

The Ford Mustang delivered here has really functional steering. Said like that, one would think that it is almost a technical feat because the Aston Martin marketed last year did not allow the front wheels to be oriented to improve the rendering of the vehicle a little when it is displayed on a shelf. ...

For those who are interested or those who do not intend to buy this box anyway but want to know, I have put below the result obtained at the end of each of the six planned steps. The assembly is really pleasant, with a well thought-out progression that allows you to make the most of this step that many will only do once before displaying the vehicle in a corner of the living room. The steering can be used very quickly via the steering wheel, which makes it possible to understand the very simple mechanism before it disappears under the engine of the Mustang.

The mechanism that allows the rear axle to be raised via a very discreet and nicely integrated knob will later give this Ford Mustang a really aggressive look. It's rustic but perfectly executed, without going overboard at the risk of overloading and distorting the rear of the Mustang.

The upholstery in beige tones of the Mustang is very successful, the light leather effect is perfectly matched to the bodywork and the visual contrast makes it possible to enjoy this interior even when the assembly is finished. The attention to detail even in the trim of the interior of the doors is really appreciable.

The engine is visible by lifting the front cover and we can without too much claim that it is a gem of creativity. Everything is there, right down to the blue air filter through the reinforcement bars and the cap stamped with the brand's logo. It is really high-level model making.

Two details that spoil my pleasure a little: the very approximate alignment of the windshield pillars with the glass and the wheel arches whose rounding is not perfect. From certain angles and with some reflections, one even has the impression that the two elements come together with a curve inwards. To quibble a little further, the brown axle of the front wheels, the end of which is visible, would have benefited from being in another color and we can see here and there some slight color differences a little annoying between the different blue parts of the body. .

No chrome parts here and that's a bit of a shame. But I want to be indulgent on this point, the model is happy with the gray parts used for the bumpers.

Some stickers are to stick here and there, but the model still benefits from many pad-printed elements: The emblematic horse of the brand on the front, the small gray engine cap, the air intakes on the rear sides, the white parts with the blue stripe and the blue side panels with white lines (including the parts stamped GT) are all elements already printed.

It's pad printed so it's better. Unfortunately, this technical choice also has its faults and we can regret that the continuity of the blue strip which crosses the body of the vehicle passing through the roof is not perfect or that the alignment of the strip on the sills leaves a little to be desired with the added bonus of a white tint which is difficult to stand out perfectly against the blue background.

In the sticker department, LEGO also provides a complete set of license plates to stick on and change according to your mood of the day.

When the historic Ford Mustang is assembled, LEGO then offers to customize the vehicle using different elements to give it a look to the Fast & Furious. As mentioned above, you can raise the rear axle of the vehicle with one finger. The designer has thought of everything and two black panels conceal the interior of the chassis when the Mustang is in this position.

The other planned customization elements are fitted in a few seconds: The rear spoiler is simply attached to the boot lid, the side exhaust outlets are attached in the blink of an eye on each side, the front spoiler is perfectly designed to plug in and just remove the front cowl air intake and standard V8 engine air filter to install the large power unit.

More anecdotal but essential: the bottle of NOS to be placed in the trunk. In short, everything is perfectly thought out so that this personalization phase is neither laborious nor a constraint.

Fans of innovative and clever assembly techniques will find plenty here. Without revealing too much to leave enthusiasts the opportunity to savor every moment of the assembly phase, we can say that the designer really put his talent at the service of the model with superbly integrated doors, a very successful front bumper, an engine really detailed, a superbly dressed interior and a host of little visual details that make this model really very successful.

With the added bonus of a pretty box with the false air of a Heller model, an instruction booklet abundantly illustrated and documented on the history of the Ford Mustang with some facts scattered through the pages and a really successful 2-in-1 personalization concept, LEGO finally offers a convincing model that deserves to be prominently on our shelves.

I stop there and finally, I add that this box definitely reconciles me with the series of vehicles LEGO Creator Expert, some models of which were not really of the level of what one can expect from a manufacturer like LEGO. You will understand, it's a big yes for this set.

Availability announced for March 1st at the public price of € 139.99. The set is now online at the LEGO Shop:

FORD MUSTANG SET 10265 ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before February 28 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.