Review: 10265 Ford Mustang
Posted by CapnRex101,
Large vehicles have become an integral feature of the Creator Expert theme during the last few years and those models have been consistently impressive in my opinion. 10265 Ford Mustang appears to continue that trend as this fantastic automotive icon looks splendid in every official image, eliciting a great reaction.
This model depicts the classic 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback which is probably among the most influential cars ever designed. It therefore seems worthy of a place within the Creator Expert vehicles series, although the set costs £119.99 or $149.99 which is rather expensive when compared with others. Nevertheless, this should prove to be an excellent set.
Box and Contents
10265 Ford Mustang is appropriately displayed against the famous Los Angeles River basin which has formed the setting for numerous car chases and racing scenes in film. The vehicle certainly stands out here and this design is reminiscent of a traditional plastic model kit. Several customisation options are available for the model and its alternative form is displayed on the reverse beside a few small images exhibiting the functions.
The box contains a single instruction manual along with eleven bags which are numbered between one and six. Some information about the development of both the original Ford Mustang and this model can be found in the manual. I was particularly pleased with the timeline showing how the car and its popular colour schemes have changed since 1967.
In addition, the instruction manual dedicates an entire double-page spread to the model, displaying its engine and the numerous functions which are included along with some new elements. This is a great feature and I hope similar pages will appear in the instructions for subsequent Creator Expert sets as I think new parts are likely to interest the adult audience which may be drawn to models like this one.
A sticker sheet is included but the majority of decorated elements, such as the white racing stripes, are printed. In fact, nearly every sticker is used inside the car or for a number plate on the exterior and they can be applied with ease so their inclusion does not bother me, even though printed parts are generally preferable in Creator Expert sets.
Construction
The chassis consists primarily of Technic bricks which form a sturdy base for the model. This structure seems similar to previous Creator Expert vehicles, although the functional steering system is unique. A large gear is connected to two linkages, transferring a rotational motion from the steering column to the steering knuckles that supports each axle.
A separate assembly completes the chassis, housing another Technic mechanism which controls the elevation of the rear axle. Its design is simple, consisting of a light bluish grey worm gear and a small gear with eight teeth, but this works perfectly and looks remarkably compact. The axle is then placed underneath the chassis where its height can be adjusted to change the Mustang's rake angle.
Numerous tan pieces are found in the second bag and these are used for the interior. The transmission tunnel is constructed sideways and employs some of the new 1x2 brackets that were introduced earlier in 2019. Moreover, the dashboard is ingeniously secured using Technic beams. The resultant structure lines up perfectly with a 1x2 slope at the centre, as demonstrated in the image below.
Construction of the engine also begins at this stage, incorporating a black component that traditionally represents a stretcher strap. The forward bodywork is supported by a couple of white 2x2 round bricks and 2x2 round plates. They are important during the assembly process and will eventually form part of a nitrous oxide tank which is clever. Both doors are built around brackets and these incorporate some new 2x8 curved slopes.
The flared wheel arches are designed using 2x4x2 side bows which have not been produced in dark blue since 2008. Sideways building techniques dominate the rear of the Ford Mustang and these are especially important at the centre where a tan 1x12 brick represents the parcel shelf. This structure is surprisingly robust and looks marvellous.
Hinges connect the windscreen to the bodywork and this area of the model looks very similar to 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5, as one might imagine given their shared designer. The roof is secured using clips at each corner and the rear windscreen looks rather familiar as well. Furthermore, the 3x10 wedge slopes that form the surrounding bodywork correspond with 10248 Ferrari F40.
Attention returns to the engine next. This area of the model is extraordinarily intricate, using numerous tiny pieces to create mechanical details, while the bumper consists of three larger sections. These are reliant upon wedge plates which feature realistic angles when compared with the original car and 2x2 wedge plates are situated beside the radiator too.
Some more 2x4x2 side bows are fitted over the forward wheel arches and the bodywork in this area is reasonably simple, consisting primarily of small slopes beside 2x4 tiles. However, I am impressed with the wedge slopes around the headlights as these look absolutely brilliant beside the wedge plates that were attached during the previous phase of construction.
Three separate panels complete the exterior, covering the bonnet, the roof and the boot. Assembling and attaching these panels is incredibly satisfying as they all slot neatly into their respective locations and line up precisely with the surrounding elements. The wheels are then mounted on their axles and construction concludes with some accessories for customising the Mustang, including a supercharger and exhaust side pipes.
The Completed Model
Certain vehicles seem particularly suitable for LEGO and I think the 1967 Ford Mustang is a fantastic example. This model looks magnificent when compared with the original vehicle, accurately capturing the distinctive shape of its celebrated source material. I am particularly satisfied with the aerodynamic fastback styling towards the rear and the shaping around the radiator grille is perfect.
Dark green is probably the colour most associated with the Ford Mustang, following its appearance in Bullitt, but I think this dark blue design is very attractive. This shade was known as Acapulco Blue and looks reasonably faithful to the actual cars, although the original colour was lighter. Even so, this is an excellent approximation of the classic Ford Mustang and its white racing stripes look superb.
This vehicle measures 34cm in length, surpassing even 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 from 2018 by a narrow margin. The scaling between them is therefore accurate and the model feels more substantial than I was anticipating, especially when compared with other Creator Expert vehicles that have often seemed slightly fragile. 10265 Ford Mustang, on the other hand, is extremely robust.
Classic design features are present across the whole Ford Mustang and the radiator grille is definitely among them. Its distinctive angular shape has been replicated effectively and I like the twin headlights placed on either side of the famed Pony emblem. This is printed on a light bluish grey 1x3 tile, thereby recreating the corral which surrounds the symbol on the original car! The angled bumper is marvellous too, corresponding exactly with the source material.
The wheel arches appear similarly realistic, although the transition between them and the bodywork is not entirely smooth. Nevertheless, I think it would be difficult to improve upon this design and the new wheel hubs are perfectly accurate. Their spoked appearance matches the original hubcaps and has allowed the steering mechanism to extend inside each wheel, resulting in a narrower turning circle.
I was surprised to learn that steering was included while assembling the Ford Mustang as past Creator Expert vehicles have lacked this function. It can be activated by turning the steering wheel which is not ideal for play, although including a separate activator on the exterior would risk spoiling its appearance. There is some play in the steering but this is no more significant than one might find in Technic sets so seems quite reasonable.
Hinges connect the bonnet to the base of the windscreen so it can open smoothly and an air scoop is situated on top. This appears more substantial than the air scoop fitted to production models but I like the resultant design, especially in combination with the white stripes which run for the entire length of the car. The printed dark blue strip does not line up exactly between separate components but that is hardly noticeable.
The engine bay is absolutely packed with authentic details, including a big-block 390 V8 engine with a circular air filter on top and light bluish grey strut bars along either side. The oil filler cap is represented by a 1x1 round tile which is decorated with the Ford Mustang emblem and accurate stickers are placed in here too, identifying the fan housing and the engine. However, my favourite feature is the battery that features red and black Technic axles to denote its positive and negative terminals!
Further racing strips adorn either flank and these are printed on a series of 2x2 and 2x4 curved slopes. LEGO's current printing technology does not extend to the edge of every piece so there are small gaps between the striped elements but the design looks brilliant when viewed from a distance. The shape of the doors channels air towards the dual intakes below the handles which is excellent, although a sliver of light bluish grey is visible, unfortunately.
Creator Expert vehicles have typically featured a small gap between the doors and the quarter panels, allowing them to open. However, the two doors on this Ford Mustang line up perfectly with the quarter panels when closed as 1x2 half bows are placed inside. These allow the door jamb to pass the frame without interference and door limiters fit beside the hinges. The mixture of tan and dark blue pieces is not ideal but I appreciate the distinction between the interior and the bodywork.
The door mirrors include 1x1 round tiles with vertical shafts which have not appeared in light bluish grey before and might be useful. These are rather fragile but look great and I love the interior which features four seats, the centre console and a simple dashboard with two printed dials. You can move the gearstick back and forth on a click hinge and a sticker represents the AM radio. Foot pedals would have been a lovely addition but are not a necessity.
However, the model does contain a rear view mirror, showing another car on a sticker. This is fixed to the roof which can be removed easily to provide a splendid view of the interior. I like the textured tan and dark tan seats, although they cannot fold forwards properly to reach the rear. Instead, 4L bars are situated underneath each seat so they swing forwards from below.
Rear seating is an unusual feature in LEGO cars but this example is delightful, incorporating the same textured backs as the front seats. They are divided by the transmission tunnel which looks magnificent and I am pleased that these seats can fold to expand the cargo space in the boot. The tan parcel shelf is equally impressive and fits neatly beneath the rear windscreen.
Window louvres are printed on the 3x10 wedge slopes behind the doors, corresponding precisely with the original 1967 Ford Mustang GT. The bodywork in this area appears absolutely smooth and the rear windscreen lines up with the surrounding wedge slopes, creating a perfect Fastback shape that begins on the roof and continues to the tail.
The distinctive vertical tail lights are constructed using alternating light bluish grey and trans-red 1x2 plates and look superb when compared with the source material. They are not angled accurately but recreating such a subtle detail would be almost impossible at this scale. The circular fuel cap, on the other hand, is completely authentic and includes a sticker showing the GT emblem.
Opening the boot reveals a reasonably large space inside, although this section has not been finished as tidily as the exterior. There are gaps in the floor beside the wheels and the tan colour scheme is not consistent either. Including a couple of additional plates would complete the boot but I wonder whether the gaps were left intentionally, thereby enabling an uninterrupted view of the axle elevation system.
Five number plates are included, denoting different regions of the US and other countries. The yellow Michigan plates are probably my favourite as they present an attractive contrast against the dark blue bodywork. I am pleased with the California number plates as well, making reference to Mike Psiaki and 10252 Volkswagen Beetle which included the 'P51 AK1' registration number. Coincidentally, this is also reminiscent of the famous P-51 Mustang!
You can attach number plates for New South Wales in Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom as well. These are instantly recognisable and look superb, although the Australian and British plates differ slightly from their real counterparts as the combination of numbers and letters are not entirely accurate.
Easy customisation was an integral feature of the 1967 Ford Mustang and this set comes with several accessories so you can adapt this model for racing. I think the vehicle looks tremendous in either form and was pleasantly surprised by the elevating rear axle which works nicely, comfortably supporting the weight of the whole car. The resultant forward rake angle is extremely impressive.
The air scoop is only connected to the bonnet using two studs so it can removed with ease and the air filter underneath can also be detached, leaving space for an enormous supercharger! Dark bluish grey fenders form the intake surround and I like the red 1x1 round tiles inside. You can still open the bonnet with the supercharger in position. Moreover, there is room for a spoiler beneath the nose and this slots into place very neatly.
In fact, this section of the model appears completely smooth and identifying the division between the original bodywork and the spoiler is extremely difficult. The standard exhausts at the rear are fixed to the chassis using Technic pins so they can be removed and replaced with curved side exhaust pipes! These look wonderful and the connection feels secure so there is little risk of the exhausts coming off accidentally.
Rotating a textured 2x2 round brick beneath the rear bumper will adjust the rear axle height, elevating the entire Ford Mustang. This function is hidden effectively and I think the vehicle looks fantastic when lifted as the space between the tyre and the wheel arch widens. This provides a clear view of the tread but the Technic mechanism is still concealed inside, behind a black banner element.
There is room to fix a white nitrous oxide tank inside the boot as well. This cylinder is simply designed using the 2x2 round bricks and 2x2 round tiles that supported the nose during construction, albeit now decorated with a sticker that identifies the nitrous oxide inside. I like the red tap with a pressure gauge attached as this closely resembles real nitrous oxide tanks.
Overall
10265 Ford Mustang is a spectacular set. It provides an enjoyable building experience and the model looks absolutely magnificent when completed, capturing almost every aspect of the original car. I love its dark blue colour scheme with racing stripes while both the engine bay and interior look incredibly realistic too, demonstrating extraordinary attention to detail.
Furthermore, the customisation options are also enjoyable and every function has been implemented perfectly. This is definitely my favourite Creator Expert vehicle and is probably the most impressive car that LEGO has ever produced in my opinion. I would therefore have no hesitation in recommending this set and its price of £119.99 or $149.99 seems reasonable for a model containing 1471 pieces.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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71 comments on this article
First comment! Somehow I hadn't heard about this set yet.
Great! I might have to agree with you Captn. This might be the best Lego car ever. The seats are too big for minifigures as usual. You know what might fit??
Technic figures!!
What do you mean there’s a reason they discontinued them?
The only thing that they should have done differently is to have included printed pieces instead of stickers. The three horrors of the world: Death, poverty, and stickers in Lego sets.
There's still hope with Lego. You get tired of announcements about a dozen Brickheads a week but every now and then such things happen. Nice job.
Wow! Absolutely gobsmacked. Had no idea this was even coming. I've never bought a single Creator Expert vehicle, not because of lack of great products but because there are too many. But with this, I may have to take the plunge and get my first... Now, how to break it to my wife that I must have another 150.00 set?... My mom is a big Mustang fan... nope, she already got my birthday present, well I'll keep thinking about it, and drooling over pics in the meanwhile :)
It looks phenomenal, maybe even better than the 10242 MINI Cooper. It looks like a die-cast model next to that DB5. Hats off to the designer, it's outstanding.
Really glad to see a return to the essence of the Creator Expert vehicle series after the Aston Martin release, which I found very disappointing. And a few months early!
I've always hoped for an American muscle car in the Creator Expert series and when I heard this was coming I tried not too get my hopes up too high...
But it delivers! Wow! Can't wait to build it.
Captain: Great review, thanks.
Lego: TAKE MY MONEY!
I am finally impressed with a LEGO set today, after what has seemed a year of epic misses. Wow what a car model! Gonna get this one March 1
A true masterpiece. Congratulations to Mr. Psiaki, let's enjoy it!
Delightful set. I'm most tickled by the license plate option with P51 in it which as mentioned is another famous Mustang.
Cracking review, thank you. I'm looking forward to adding this to my collection.
Beautiful, simply beautiful set. One of my favs already, prefectly detailed. Great review!!
The blue color of the car in this article's photos looks quite different from the color in the official release photos. Is it the lighting?
Now to figure out how many of those blue parts come in dark green...
Thank you for the in depth review, I really liked the set after seeing the first pictures and now I just love it.
What a beauty!
This is an awesome set and I will probably be getting it for my brother for either his birthday or Christmas...he's a huge Mustang fan.
Very minor nitpick...for the California plate I wish they would have used the black with yellow letters to match the license plates of the 60s, instead of the blue and yellow that were from the 70s.
Wow! --and how is this the first I'm hearing of this set, this looks amazing! Where was all the hype?? Man, this is a must have--my dad drove a dark green fast-back, such memories!
I got the VIP email about it, and the pictures in the email looked horrible.
Gorgeous
I really enjoyed the Aston Martin DB5. It wasn't going to be an easy shape to reproduce but I think they did a pretty good job. That was my first and I have to admit I like what I'm seeing with the Ford Mustang they've done here. Looks like my DB5 will be getting a companion.
I want it now!! This mustang is the coolest vehicle I've ever seen based on regular Lego bricks. Everything just seems complete and perfect. I'd also like to buy 2 of these so I could display the original and the tuned next to each other.
Definitely the first creator expert set I'll buy.
Must have!
I wonder how this release will influence the sale numbers of Sariels new book ‘Build a lego mustang’ ? I was planning on buying that book and sourcing parts from bricklink. This however puts things in a different perspective since sourcing parts can be quite a painfull experience for the wallet (building the Arvo Brothers 911 at the moment...)
On the one hand, it looks great.
On the other hand, $150 for a model is a lot of money.
I'll pass but I'm sure fans of the car will be satisfied as the build looks great inside and out.
This is simply a brilliant piece of Lego design. And this coming from the man who designed the James Bond car, which I dislike AF. Amazing comeback!
Usually when I read reviews here, I look for reasons to let a model pass because I have too much Lego and it can get so expensive, but I’ll have to restrain myself from buying at least three copies of this beauty.
Can’t wait to start experimenting with a convertible, a red one and a dark green one like in Bullit. Great job Lego, keep ‘m coming!
And offcourse, wonderful review. Thanks!
What a masterpiece! Aston was quite bricky, but with the Mustang I think they've chosen a car that lends itself well to brick form given it doesn't have too many of the curves that are hard to recreate in Lego.
Will this be one of the double VIP points sets in March?
Awesome. Gorgeous. Incredible. Fabulous. Stunning.
Not enough superlatives!!!
Great, now I want a '68 or '69 Camaro SS and a '70 Charger or '71 Challenger.
Finally something I want to display with my F40! Not to say that previous Creator Expert vehicles were bad, but this one is the first in a while that really appeals to me.
From out of ABSOLUTELY NO-WHERE, to suddenly being my most-wanted set of 2019. Wowsers.
Great looking set.
There are not many sets are "must haves" this year but this is going to be one of them.
A bit rich, but wonderful all the same.
Great in-depth review, as always, @CapnRex101!
This is certainly one amazing car, and is definitely worthy to be one of the best (if not the best) can models TLG has ever produced. IMO almost every angle, especially the bumpers, and the roof, is spot on! I must say, as soon as I say the leaked picture of it, somehow I just felt it was going to be great.
But now after looking at all the official images, I love it even more. IMHO, it would still be an amazing model without the ability to transform it into the alternate version, but factor that in, and TLG has an absolutely amazing (and doubtless, very popular), beautiful set for the Creator Expert line-up this year! I
Way to go Mike Psiaki, for designing yet another beautiful Creator Expert set! (He designed a lot of wonderful Creator Expert models - (10248, 10252, 10257, 10260, 10262, and now, the marvelous 10265!)
Yes, yes, YES! A flabbergasting rendition of one of the most iconic cars ever produced. Way to go, Lego! And thank you, capn, for a thorough, clear and enjoyable review. I'm with you 100%: best Lego car to this day.
Why so early this year? All others have been around August time? This is getting expensive!!!
I agree, this is the best car in this series. The combination of lots of fantastic new parts since the earlier days in the series and a car with an easier-to-replicate-in-Lego shape and I'm happy this is such a triumphant addition to the cars in the Creator Expert line.
Cette Mustang est magnifique! Easily the best Creator Expert car so far!
I'm definitely getting one at some point.
Interestingly side by side, I really like the Astor Martin, which is how I guess I will display them both on my shelf !
I’ve never had any interest in Expert Cars or anything of the sort... but wow this looks really, really cool. Definitely going on my wishlist even if I can’t cop 150 for any lego right now...
I think the F40 has been the best so far, but this one surpasses it. Love all the features. The design is perfect, save for the lack of downward slope of the front.
Amazing! Hats-off :o)
First LEGO set I intend to buy in about 4 years, I think? This looks spectacular. It's odd how the same designer gets it wrong with the Bond car and yet so right with this one.
This looks great...makes the Bond Aston Martin look even more bland when side by side though
This is going straight on my want list.
Great review. The model is beautiful and I’ll possibly buy it. On the other hand, a little disappointed with the price here in Canada. compared to the Austin Martin $ 149.99 US so $ 179.99 CA and the Ford Mustang still $ 149.99 US but CA $ 199.99 !?! An unjustified increase in my opinion, the prices of the models in this series are constantly increasing.
Excellent model mr. Psiaki and excellent review as well capt. Rex! As a Ford driver (no Mustang unfortunately) I will certainly add this set to my collection ASAP!
One minor gripe though (besides the incomplete floor panelling in the booth): It would have been perfect if they’d added some windshield wipers, especially since they’ve added a container with anti-freeze detergent under the bonnet (I’m referring to the 1x2 brick in Light Aqua with the jumper plate and round 1x1 tile for a cap ;-)
And a question to capt. Rex since I’m a bit confused: You wrote about new 2x10 slopes in the doors (and probably on the roof section as well), but aren’t those 2x8 curved slopes (as stated in the instruction manual)? I thought only the 1 wide curved slopes were 10 studs long, or am I missing something?
MP deserves a pay rise. This is possibly his best creator expert/ideas set yet. I have them all except the Aston which I don't think should have been attempted at that scale given the curves required.
I'm trying to picture the blue. It seems brighter in photos than I think it will be in my hands.
Oh, and someone mentioned technic figures. I tried putting my technic fig with a crash helmet into the mini and I had to sever his legs at the knee joint.
Excellent photos and review! What a beautifully detailed set! This car is magnificent. Too bad I can't say the same about the previously released Aston Martin DB5.
next to the James Bond Aston Martin DB5 this is a work of art!!
Just love it.
Funny that this was supposed to have been "LEGO's worst kept secret". Until I visited Brickset today just a few moments ago I had never heard anything about this set.
Pleasant surprise as I love the Creator Expert vehicle line. And after the terrible disappointment that was the James Bond Aston Martin this brings things back on track.
Wonderful rendition of an iconic car. I already liked the Speed Champions version, but this of course is even better.
It's a bit on the expensive side, but as discounts usually bring sets with this RRP down to about 100 Euro, this will be a no-brainer then.
Simply beautiful. Undoubtedly the most impressive LEGO car yet.
I have waffled on adding another line of LEGO to my collection, and have the previous models in box still(though still on the fence about the Db5) . However, this set makes me glad I have bought the other Creator expert vehicle designs up until now. This will make a great display piece, and I guess Ill need to get the DB5 as well now :-)
An awesome model, truly a fan of these gas guzzlers.
Best looking car so far somehow missed it.
Steering! Yes! Finally!
@coenstegeman: while the build might be good, the final result of the build is an absolute insult to the real DB5. Granted, those curves are nigh on impossible to replicate in LEGO form anyway, but that ghastly grey instead of silver, the final shape that looks more like a Trabant than an Aston, coupled with the ridiculous price makes this set an easy pass for me.
This Mustang otoh is the complete opposite. Almost perfect recreation of the shapes, cool features, even steering for the first time, beautiful colour scheme, what's not to love? Ok, so the price is a bit on the dear side, but much cheaper than the Aston, plus as this is not an exclusive, there are good chances of deals and discounts to be had.
I was going to buy the Aston Martin or the Volkswagen Camper Van but seeing the photos of this one, i am passing on the others and going for this beauty.
Now I want LEGO to make 1969 Z28 SS!
Needs more stickers.
I've found images that really closely resemble this model:
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/ford/mustang/2183319.html
(although it's a car for sale/inquire)
This is absolutely amazing, I didn't like the models they released the past two years but this one beats all the Creator Expert cars by a long shot in every aspect.
I'm looking forward to buying this set.
Wow, a true work of art. Great job on this one Lego :)
i still think the f40 was better looking but goodness, this is probably one one of the best lego cars ever.
The set is so overpriced, it hurts.
This looks fantastic! I love everything about this set (except for the price). Will hope to get this. Also, would love to place it with 75884 Ford Mustang Fastback.
*UPDATE: My brother just said "75884 could fit INSIDE it, you know that, right?"*
Those wheels don't really resemble anything Ford offered for the Mustang in '67... or ever. They look more like aftermarket wheels.
I just finished building this set. It is definitely one of the best sets that LEGO has ever made. There were several times while building when I exclaimed disbelief at the techniques out loud. This is a must buy.
Has anyone else experienced issues with the blue line printing?
Most of the printed bricks on top and running along the side look like I've applied stickers. They just dont run straight.
Still awaiting a response from Lego CS.
The only issue I had was with one piece where the blue line is clearly squint on the top. Requested a replacement which is on its way - will see what happen. There's an article on promobricks that's reporting it may be a more widespread issue