LEGO® Icons review: 10321 Chevrolet Corvette

After some off-road adventures in the very British Land Rover Classic Defender 90, courtesy of Zach Hill’s review, today we take a look at a true icon of American automobile history. The release of LEGO® Icons 10321 Chevrolet Corvette celebrates the car’s 75th birthday, and there is indeed much to celebrate, with new moulds, recolours, and prints.

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
10321 Chevrolet Corvette
US$149.99/ £129.99/ 149.99€/ AU$249.99
1210 parts
1 August 2023
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New moulds in 10321 Chevrolet Corvette

It’s pretty much a tradition at this point for LEGO Icons vehicles to include a new windscreen element, and the Corvette does not disappoint.

• 2x new Windshield in Trans-Clear (6433640)

These gorgeous new elements come packaged in their own protective paper bags and so arrived in pristine condition. 

Devoid of studs, and with minimal antistuds on its base, it’s a beautiful mould to behold.

It is 12 modules wide, 4 modules deep, and 3 bricks (9 plates) tall. The rounded corners on the base of the element are a quarter-circle with a radius of 4 modules, while the curves on the vertical corners are a bit tighter, with a 2x2 module radius. 

The clean, flat edges of the element means it can lie on its vertical side with no gaps, opening up more building opportunities for SNOT-inclined builders. My two rigs above show that despite being a very curvy element, it's shape is easy to match with existing elements, so while not 100 per cent accurate to the original car, I think the element designers have struck a good balance between creating a specialized Corvette windscreen and an in-System element.

In addition to the obligatory new windshield, the set contains two more interesting new moulds: first up, a new curved slope.

• 2x Brick Curved 1 x 4 x 1 2/3 in White (6433643) 

 It’s great to get a new curved slope with a unique arc. 

Well, kinda unique… the curve is actually a continuation of the existing Slope Curved 3 x 1 No Studs (50950). I made an approximation above, but it isn’t quite as smooth. 

This simple SNOT assembly creates a wonderfully smooth quarter circle. The set only provided me with two but I’d say that this new slope will allow builders to make the smoothest, roundest SNOT cylinders yet. I guess I’ll have to buy three more Corvettes to check!

The Corvette also brings with it a brand new arch element: 

• 2x Brick Arch 1 x 5 x 2 in Red (6433642) 

Unlike the Corvette’s new curved slopes, the new arch has a truly unique curve on it: there’s no other element in the LEGO inventory (that I could find) with the same arc. Two together create a span that is in between the existing 8- and 12-module wide arches.

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The curve on the outside of the new slope and the inside of the arch elements complement each other, so they fit together perfectly.  

Recoloured elements in the LEGO Icons Corvette

Several elements have been recoloured to recreate the Corvette’s cherry red paint job: 

• 1x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Left in Red (6436415 | 77180) 
• 1x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Right in Red (6465740 | 77182) 

LEGO designers really are making the most of this mould. We dubbed it the Porsche Bow upon its release as it seemed like such a specialized element at the time. How wrong we were! Since its introduction a mere two years ago it’s appeared in all kinds of subjects from typewriters to boats, superhero busts to skyscrapers, and even giant villainous reptiles! New in Red, this element is now available in 8 colours. 

• 1x Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Left in Red (6436413 | 80177)
• 1x Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Right in Red (6436412 | 80178)
• 1x Slope Curved 5 x 8 x 2/3 with No Studs on Top in Red (6442315 | 71771) 

The two wedges, 6436413 and 6436412, have appeared in Red before but this is their first appearance in this colour without prints. 

• 6x Brick Arch 1 x 4 x 3 in Red (6436402 | 80543)

The Corvette should make Classic Spacers very happy as it introduces plenty of greebley parts in Light Bluish Gray:

• 4x Equipment Candle Stick in Light Bluish Gray (6436421 | 37762)
• 2x Food Hot Dog / Sausage in Light Bluish Gray (6436423 | 33078)
• 4x Plant, Banana in Light Bluish Gray (6437020 | 33085)
• 4x Weapon Hilt Symmetric in Light Bluish Gray (6436420 | 66909) 

 The list of useful parts to be recoloured in LBG continues: 

• 2x Wheel Arch, Mudguard 2 x 3 x 1 1/3 in Light Bluish Gray (6436422 | 49097)
• 2x Plate Round Corner 5 x 5 with 4 x 4 Round Cutout in Light Bluish Gray (6430583 | 80015)

• 18x Tile Special 2 x 4 Inverted in Black (6442317 | 3395) 

• 4x Equipment Cup / Teacup Saucer with Recessed Stud on Top in Trans-Clear (6450883 | 38799) 

I was surprised to find that this is only the third iteration of this element; it has previously only appeared in White, both printed and unprinted. I hope its appearance in the Corvette sets the precedent for appearances in more colours as I think it has some untapped greebling potential! 

New printed elements in set 10321

The printed elements almost entirely feature generic patterns with the sticker sheet reserved for most of the logos and branding that adorn the car. 

• 1x Slope Curved 5 x 8 x 2/3 with No Studs on Top with print in Red (6436392 | 71771pr)
• 2x Brick Arch 1 x 6 Raised Arch with print in Red (6436394 | 92950pr) 
• 2x Tile 1 x 6 with new print in Red (6436395 | 6636pr)
• 2x Tile 2 x 4 with new print in Red (6436396 | 87079pr)
• 4x Tile 2 x 6 with new print in Red (6436397 | 69729pr)
• 4x Tile Round 2 x 2 with new print in Red (6436393 | 14769pr) 

All those lines are printed in Metallic Silver and the prints are crisp and bold and generally very well done. Perfectionists may be disappointed by the Round Tiles: at least one mine had a slightly off-centre print. I'm not bothered as they'll be mostly covered up and the inconsistency isn't noticable in the finished model. This is the first time for the arch element to be printed.

10321 Chevrolet Corvette sticker sheet

The Corvette sticker sheet is sparse, with just 12 small stickers. 

The graphic designers have given builders the choice of three different license plates, which have a few little Easter eggs. When turned upside down, the 0937 on the Michigan plate reads 'LEGO'. Michigan is the home of General Motors (GM). On the California plate, the C1 refers to the model of the car and 1961 is the year it was produced.

Rare elements in the Icons Corvette

Here are the rare elements found in the Corvette. The following appear in 3 sets or fewer:

• 2 x 36841 Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 1 in Bright Red/ Red (6372478 | 36841)
• 1 x 14769 Tile Round 2 x 2 with Bottom Stud Holder in Cool Silver Drum Lacquered / Metallic Silver (6371606 | 83056) 
• 2 x 65509 Plate Special 2 x 4 with Groove and Two Center Studs (Jumper) in Bright Red/ Red (6393344 | 65509) 
• 4 x 2723pr0004 Technic Disc 3 x 3 with Rim print in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6304895 | 68411) 
• 4 x 2723pr0004 Technic Disc 3 x 3 with Rim print in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6304895 | 68411) 
• 1 x 42195 Technic Driving Ring Connector Smooth [2 rounded and 2 flat side walls] in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6391550 | 42195)

Building the LEGO Chevrolet

The bright red paint job, faithfully sculpted bodywork, and beautiful new windscreen elements make the Corvette an eye catching model. 

The focal point is the front fender, where our newly recoloured light gray elements are put to brilliant use. The mysterious headlight technique, which had builders quite puzzled when the promotional material for the set emerged, turns out to be a combination of the new printed round tiles with the recoloured Trans Clear saucers in the anti-studs. 

I've seen some fans point out that the top half of the grill doesn’t match the texture of the bottom half, but it's barely noticeable among all that Light Bluish Gray NPU. This was a fun sub-assembly to install onto the vehicle. 

The rear of the sub-model cleverly contributes a small fan to the brick-built engine made from a propeller and 2L bar. 

The front of the car ends up a tad more angular (particularly around the headlights) than the real thing but still gorgeously curvy. The shapes here flow together smoothly and seamlessly. 

Just like the original, the bonnet hinges from the front to avoid accidental openings at high speeds. I wish there were a way to keep it better propped open to show off the brick-built engine inside though. There are no groundbreaking techniques here, but the chrome tiles, gears, and black ribbed tubing give the illusion of complexity. 

The cockpit is nicely detailed, with brick-built foot pedals, and some details like the spedometer and radio represented by stickers. I find it funny that the same technique for the gear stick is used in both minifigure and large scale cars. 

Some simple but effective SNOT techniques make great looking seats. The grill bricks work well to represent a corduroy-like fabric. Once clipped onto the chassis, they fit snugly into the newly printed arches.

The doors are generally well-designed, with the new curved slopes and arches representing the design of the original very nicely. The patterns on the door have been cleverly recreated using 27-degree wedge plates to vary the length of the stripes. While I like the stripes, the area with the sandwich tiles and sticker looks a little messy to me, this may be sound pedantic, but I wish the foremost sandwich tile was sunk ever so slightly to make this area truly smooth. 

The shaping at the back of the car is masterful, no small thanks to those good old Porsche bows, but there’s some clever sideways and upside-down building to get this area looking pretty much perfect. 

With everything looking so smooth, the slightly jagged (but unavoidable) back ends of the wheel wells catch the eye. Bionicle Barraki eye (58176) elements are used to represent the Corvette’s signature four taillights. 

The seamless curves conceal a spacious boot, which can be opened with a simple but effective little mechanism. An essential addition as the brick work here is airtight. 

Pushing the gray liftarm from the underside of the car pushes open the boot just enough to get a grasp and to open it fully by hand. The designer has taken the advantage of the dimensions of the Plate Special 2 x 2 with Towball Socket (63082) to keep it in place: a novel use for the element. 

The set also includes extra parts to build a roof for a hardtop version of the car, but I much prefer the convertible. The quality of the build of the roof doesn't quite match the rest of the vehicle. The curves aren't as neatly matched as the bodywork and the excess of exposed studs detract from the overall smoothness of the vehicle. It would seem like an afterthought if it weren't for the ever slightly protruding panels at the front that rest on top of the windscreen to keep the roof sitting square: a rather clever solution to keep things from looking too bulky here.

Overall, the set has done a splendid job of matching the shapes of the real Corvette. The real thing is impossibly curvy and, considering the limitations of the LEGO brick, this is probably about as close to the source material as one can hope for. And look how smooth it is, there’s barely a stud in sight! 

Closing Thoughts 

I mentioned multiple times in my review of the March wave of LEGO Speed Champions that I’m not much of a car person, but with the introduction of each new LEGO car, I’m slowly being converted. 10321 Chevrolet Corvette is hard, even for me, not to ogle over. 

We'll inevitably have to talk about the price and, of the LEGO Icons vehicles, the Corvette has the lowest number of parts for the price, although this isn't the greatest metric for measuring value. What you do get is a beautiful display piece that recycles fairly well into a parts pack. Obviously, fans of the colour Red will be pleased as there’s plenty of it, and there are even a few new parts in that colour. We also get two beautiful new windscreens, and getting multiple unique windscreens is not usual in these sets. These large, one-off moulds do tend to jack up the price. Finally, we get some very useful Light Bluish Gray elements, albeit in rather small quantities.

If our review has convinced you, you will find set 10321 Chevrolet Corvette at LEGO.com from 1 August 2023 priced US$149.99/ £129.99/ 149.99€/ AU$249.99. As ever, we really appreciate it when you use our affiliate links, as we may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop. 

READ MORE: LEGO® NINJAGO® review: 71797 Destiny’s Bounty - Race Against Time

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