LEGO Ideas 21307 Caterham Seven 620R review

This classic sports car gets the LEGO makeover to bring brick fanatics a Caterham Seven 620R in a stylish black box

Price: £74.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 Pieces: 773 Available: Now

21307 Caterham Seven 620R was a labour of love by Carl Greatrix, a Senior LEGO Model Designer at TT Games, who enjoyed building detailed replicas of the Caterham in his free time. It was realised as a LEGO Ideas set, and like many before it, proved to be a sell-out hit when it was first released. Does 21307 Caterham Seven 620R live up to that initial hype?

I am foremost a diecast collector – I love the level of detail that can be re-created in the smallest of scales, which is quite an amazing feat. The market is huge and for those who love cars, there is something for everyone.

lego

Caterham (Three Quarter)

Of late, the LEGO Group has been getting in on the act of tapping into the scale model sector. Speed Champions are a great minifigure level to enjoy, but to display, it is the Creator sets that win. The 10242 Mini Cooper, 10248 Ferrari F40, and the 10252 Volkswagen Beetle have been ‘bricked’, but 21307 Caterham Seven 620R stands out. It is a roadster with savage performance figures that would make the likes of 911 or M3 look like a Nissan Micra.

A 252 step manual leads to a delightful build experience as if you are building the car from kit form, as you can do from Caterham directly. The level of detail is superb. Remove the engine cover and the finely scaled Duratec 2.0 litre is present. There is a practical boot area and the front wishbone suspension arms are intricate. As a diecast collector, these are the details that you look for in a model and this incorporates them very well.

There are some outstanding features in this model. The exhaust is a stunning build using a variety of techniques used to create the desired effect. Secondly, there are no stickers – just printed parts where applicable; joy. It adds to the smart feel of the model, you are not getting frustrated about lining them up accurately or doing the dreaded re-attempt. I am also quite confident that the model could be ‘downgraded’ to a 310, 360 or even a 420 – all part of the current Caterham range – with minimal fuss and headache.

As for weaknesses, it is extremely fragile. Whereas the 10242 Mini Cooper could take on The Italian Job with ease, just one sneeze could lead to something falling off the Caterham. But that is the one Achilles’ heel of this build.

Is this model for everyone? No – you have to appreciate the car, to appreciate the build and model itself. That said, I am sure that there will be those AFOLs who are not car buffs who would want to add this super model to their collection thanks to the enjoyable build and attractive finished display piece.

21307 Caterham Seven 620R is available now at shop.LEGO.com. You can help support Brick Fanatics’ work by using our affiliate links.

Caterham (Top)

Author Profile

Keith
My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits.

I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again.

I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox.

There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

Keith

My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits. I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again. I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox. There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

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