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8450 Silver Champion
TECHNIC: Create 'N' Race
Ages 11+, 1413 Pieces.
Price: MSRP US$170, CN$250. Bought it at CN$170+15%tax (~US$129)
Silver Champion - The set that make you say "wow' when you first look at it,
and then a big "yawn" when you look at the price. I was lucky enough to find
it on special price (http://news.lugnet.com/market/shopping/?n=6110) when there
was only one other store had it in my city. After finishing it, I have mixed
feelings about it...
** Packaging:
It came in the biggest LEGO box I have ever seen. It is two inch wider and 1.5
inch taller than my 8480 Space Shuttle box. Unlike
8002 Destroyer Droid or 8448 Super Street Sensation, the
parts are not packaged into modules. All parts of the same type are packaged
together into one bag making pre-build sorting relatively easy.
Two manuals are included: One for the main F-1 model and one for the Silver
Truck model. The truck manual has motorizing instructions. One more model
instruction is available on the LEGO website, but it was drawn in a unreadable
small size. Also included one big sticker sheet which I didn't use.
** Construction:
I toke my time with it and finished it in about 6 hours. It is not a difficult
model to build if you have technic experience. It is certainly less difficult
than 8002 and 8480. Some steps, like attaching the big engine cover, requires
you to push the flexibility of the ABS a little bit. It was a enjoyable
building process, and I learned quite a few new tricks in the design.
** Set design:
It is THE nicest looking big technic car with 8448 a close second, and should
be the longest car of all. It is well known that it has less mechanical
features than others: independent suspension, V10 engine, steering,
differential gears, and pop-open engine cover. They are not bad but are
certainly less impressive than the older, less expensive 8480, 8880 and 8448.
However it scales to a real F-1 very well. You may think of it being a little
closer to a Model Team set than other technic sets.
The suspension is very well designed. It is suppose to model after a real F-1
design. One interesting thing about the suspension design is that it does not
depends on suspension specific parts other than the tie rods (double ball join
rods). The new "strut" part is basically a nice looking offset half beam.
The main suspension and steering part are constructed using half beams,
triangles and various small parts. They are quite different from the
suspension design of the 8865, 8880 and 8480. It is certainly a more clever
design, but personally I would rather to be able to acquire those rare special
parts. The alternate truck model demonstrates a more traditional suspension
design.
The overall construction is a mixing of the traditional beam & plate and the
modern round beam & pin. The main internal body is constructed using
traditional beam and plate method, with the external parts connected to the
body using pins and axles.
The pop-open engine cover is very large. It covers the whole engine and the
air intake parts. The two dampening cylinders are fully compressed when the
cover is closed. I have no idea how long they will last.
** Modification:
The F-1 is not very modifiable, since the design is not very modular. It
simply can't compare with 8448 in this department. The original design leaves
a bit of axle stuck out of the front wheel - a common problem in big technic
cars. Since I never seen a real car like that I modify it to hide the axle in
the hub. Due to the composite design of the front suspension/steering it was
not a difficult job. Adding a manual transmission would be far more difficult
if I still want to retain the realistic look.
** Parts:
For the price, it is quite a let down in the parts selection. The only unique
parts are the big F-1 wheels, stiff shock absorber, new tie rods and new strut
part. (See http://w3.one.net/~hughesj/technica/registry/registry.html
for parts reference.) The silver panels and tubes are available in
5220 Styling Pack at a much lower price. The dampening cylinders
are rare but not unique. Other technic parts are widely available in various
sets. I certainly don't think the 163 frictional pins to be very valuable.
It is the first time I ever touch those silver panels and wheel hubs, and I am
very impressed. They have a different kind of coating compare to the silver
parts of the system set like the chrome knight sets. They are easily the best
metal looking plastic I have ever seen. They have the right, uniform colour on
all surfaces, including the injection point. They have excellent scratch
resistance, and does not reflect like a mirror. And the best part is that no
matter how you touch it you cannot leave visible finger print on it, unlike the
chrome knight sets or my BANDAI 1/144 HGUC Type 100.
(http://side7.gundam.com/newtype_asylum/model/hut100.htm) Unless you check the
weight and the flexibility, you would think they are real aluminum. I really
wish LEGO would make standard pieces like that even if they costs more. I may
grab one or two 5220 to add some metal touch to the space ships and mechs.
** Playability:
It is just too big to push around. It is a display set with some realistic
mechanical feature. It is 65cm long and will requires lots of room to display
it.
** Extra Elements:
Some gears and rubber bands for the alternate model, and standard one extra
bashing and small pins. I was surprised that there is no extra ball joint.
** Conclusion:
If you are choosing between 8448 and 8458, get the 8448 and may be two 5220. I
have no idea why 8458 is priced so expensive. It should not be the silver part
since 5220 only cost US$12. May be LEGO knows this one will sell well because
of the look and gave it a higher profit margin?
The web extra thing is terrible. By the time you finish the 2nd alternate
model you will need a new pair of glasses.
It is still a great set. Great design, great looking, and OK for parts. The
alternate model also looks very nice in the photos. The 33% off price I paid
for it is certainly reasonable. It is an excellent gift to be given to any
LEGO or automobile fans.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: 8458 Silver Champion review
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| One large steering wheel in black is also extra, it's used in the silver truck. The Lego Outlet Store in the Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia is offering US$20 off this model. (...) <snip> (...) <snip> (23 years ago, 14-Dec-00, to lugnet.technic)
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