Triple Review Special: 60001 - Fire Chief Car

[XimenaPaulina]

Fire-themed sets have been a staple of the LEGO Town and CITY themes (along with the Police subtheme), recurring in a few years interval in the past several years with updated versions of the Fire set ‘regulars’ (i.e. Fire Station, Fire Trucks, etc.). 2013 marks another year where we get a new line-up of Fire-themed sets. So how do these new sets look like? How do they compare with previous releases from the past years? Let’s take a closer look as I review three sets from this 2013 line-up in this Triple Review Special.

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Up next for review is the 60002 Fire Chief Car. Normally, minifigs with relatively high positions in the service, like the Fire Chief of a Fire Department or a Police Chief of a Police Department, are exclusive to large sets such as Fire Stations or Police Stations. But this year, no other than the Fire Chief himself is included in the second smallest set in the 2013 CITY Fire product line - along with his personal Fire Chief Car! Now how exciting is that?

Name: Fire Chief Car

Number: 60001

Theme: CITY | Subtheme: Fire

Year: 2013

Pieces: 80

Minifigs: 2

Price: $11.99

Links: Brickset | Bricklink | Peeron (not yet inventoried) | LEGO Shop@Home

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The Box

Even if the car is clearly the 'star of the set' and is even prominently placed in front of the boxart for maximum exposure, I can't help but enjoy the sight of the Head of the Fire Department helping a poor lady get his attention-craving pussy cat from the tree using a fish... Whew, can you just count the weird things I said in that sentence? Weird but True Story (with Barney Stinson impersonation).

The laugh trip continues at the back of the box, since it seems the boxart designers really had a hard time putting the 'interesting features' of this set at the back that it had to resort to a three-panel silent comics, showcasing how the 'Knight in Shining Gold Helmet' 1) arrived, 2) saved the Damsel in Distress's poor kitty, and 3) had to leave Milady as duty calls and destiny will tell if they shall meet another day...

Enough of the making fun of the boxart alright. Mr. Fire Chief is featured in the 1:1 minifig panel, and looks like his dashing debonaire looks not only works for the ladies but for felines as well... (sorry can't help it! ).

The Contents

(Yes, thank heavens no more boxart to joke about!) We get three un-numbered bags of LEGO, an instruction booklet, sticker sheet, and the car chassis as the loose piece. For a set with such a small piece count, it's head-scratching why the parts had to be bagged separately. Seriously, less plastic usage/consumption = more environment-friendly right?

The Instruction Booklet

The instruction booklet came in folded condition, but not really an issue for me. Same boxart-instruction cover art = nothing new.

Sample Page

I'm trying to remember if the blue background with white streaks is new or is it just been a while since I puschased some CITY sets? Anyways, the instructions are legibly printed, color differentiation is easy and the overal progress of the build was easy to follow.

Sticker Sheet

The sticker sheet contains five decorative decals for the Fire Chief Car.

The LEGO parts

Quite a colorful selection parts - all the primary LEGO colors (red, blue, yellow, green, white, black, grey, brown) are interestingly represented among the parts of this set.

Pieces of Interest:

There are three interesting pieces in this 80-piece selection:

(1) Quad Curved Wedge roof piece which was only introduced last year and the red variant being exclusive to this set;

(2) "Wedge 3 x 4 x 2/3 Cutout" which can only be found in two sets; with this set being the only regular set where it can be found (the other is the 2012 Luke Skywalker's Chibi-Landspeeder ComiCon giveaway)

(3) Metallic Gold fireman's helmet which is exclusive to only three sets (previously found only in the Fire Brigade modular building).

The Minifigures

Technically, there are only two minifigures in this set, but I decided to include Ms. Pussy Cat Pants since she's an integral part of the presentation of this set's storyline.

Fire Chief

The Fire Chief wears the new 2013 Fire outfit, which seems to be the common get-up as the Fire Motorcyclist from 60000 also wears the same. Judging by his expression, Mr. Fire Chief seems to be an approachable good-natured person, something you rarely see in persons of high positions (TRUTH!). But the main star of this minifig is none other than the shinin' shimmerin' metallic gold fireman's helmet.

Note that the Fire Chief appears in another set, in the larger 60004 Fire Station, in his office attire - which, honestly, is a better-looking variant of the Fire Chief (hence, the reason it's exclusive to that big set ).

Ms. Cat-lover

While the parts of this minifig aren't something new, it is always a welcome addition when female civilians are included in regular sets. Honestly, I simply love the overall look of this female minifig - from the the blonde hair to the medium blue torso, even the pairing with plain white legs - it all works for me, even if she's just a 'supporting minifig' in this set.

Pussy Cat

As one great dragon said, "Animals are people too!". Hence Ms. Pussy Cat is part of the cast. Meow! Purr.... The cat is just the usual standard white faceless printless feline we're all familiar with.

The Build

For all intents and purposes, excluding the minifigs and the highly-creative 3-part tree, all the build is focused on the Fire Chief Car. In about 23 elementary steps you'll be finished building the vehicle. Let's take a closer look at the finished product:

Gotta admit the car has some nice sleek overall look made possible by the effective combination of curved and sloped parts. The only questionable part is the uneven finish of the hood. I assume the designers were trying to replicate the slightly elevated portions of the hoods of modern cars, though it doesn't translate to LEGO well. It's actually not that bad, just noticeable - but still passable.

This is probably the closest real-life Fire Chief car I've seen in the web, a Dodge Chysler Fire Chief car, that is similar to the 60001 model. Though the 60001 Fire Chief car clearly isn't patterned from a Chrysler, it still resembles the overall smooth finish, and even the two-level white body strips seem to be identical.

Different Views of the Fire Car

One minor detail I like about this car is the use of the hinge plate finger as the side mirrors - not a new technique but still gets a star on my book. The side view is also my favorite as it shows the overall sleekness of the car. The set number is also stickered at the sides and acts as the Car Unit Number.

For some reason the car loses its sleekness and suddenly looks stubby when viewed quarterly at the back.

Despite the car's sleekness when viewed at other angles, such trait is absolutely absent in the front and back views, as the car looks like painfully squarish (but not blocky). Interestingly, the set number is also inlcuded in the license plate together with the set designer's initials "CL".

Set Features

Left: The stickered control panel located in front of the steering wheel - with gauges, buttons and a two-way radio prints - is a pretty neat detail that I did not expect but was pleasant surprise.

Right: A small storage rack is located at the back of the driver's seat, where a fire extinguisher and radio can be stored.

Left: The quad curved wedge roof allows for the Fire Chief to wear his precious golden helmet even when inside the car.

Right: One gripe I have about this car (or for almost any vehicle that don't have this), is the lack of functional doors! Poor Fire Chief have to squeeze his way through the windows just to get inside!

Ok we're back to where we started, poking fun once again at the pussy cat-saving scenario "playability feature" of this set. Surely, even a kid would get tired saving the woman's cat over and over again. But then again let's not kid ourselves, the main play feature of this set is the car, so everything else is just icing on the cake so to speak.

One last thing, I shall recite a short poem in honor of the award-winning design of the majestic tree:

I think I shall never see

A thing as oversimpified as this tree

A tree with trunk as straight as Big Ben

And as smooth as bald old men.

The Completed Set

Rating the Set:

Design – 8/10 The car is nice but would've been better with doors (-1). The tree is also hilariously oversimplified (-1). 8/10 is a decent overall score for the design of this set.

Build – 6/10 If not for the car this would have been a Perfect 10 if I judged the intricacies of the complexity of the tree's building techniques.

Parts – 9/10 Three relatively new and uncommon parts in a small set notches a high score on my grading system.

Minifigures – 9/10 Loved the Fire Chief's golden helmet, while the female civilian minifig is even more lovable.

Playability – 6/10 The set designer probably struggled mightily justifying saving a cat as a playability feature. At least there's always the car to rely on as the main play feature of the set.

Price – 7/10 A $0.15/piece ratio is less than ideal, but I guess having two minifgures kinda justifies the price.

Overall: 75%

Thanks for taking the time to read this review! Next up is the final part of this Three-Part Review Series, the 60002 - Fire Truck Review.

You could also look at the previous 60000 - Fire Motorcycle Review if you haven't seen it yet.

60000 - Fire Motorcycle Review

60002 - Fire Truck Review

[lightningtiger]

This is actually better than the fire bike and one reason only.....a dashboard....at last a smegging dash board !

Thanks for another review 'KDM', cool car and at least we get another female minifig......though where does he keep that fish too ?

I voted 'above average'.....I would have voted higher if it was a six wide with more equipment....i.e. loud hailer ?

[Man with a hat]

Nice review.

And I think this is the best Fire chief car so far.

[Chocolatecake]

I bought this little set a couple of days before cristmas, because of the firechief and his golden helmet - the only thing I am disapointed with is the tree, it's very flimsy and fall apart very easy.

[Bamos]

Great review of a nice little set.

On the back of the box it looks like he has given up on the fish and decided to blast the cat down with the fire extinguiser.

Bill

[XimenaPaulina]

Thanks for the comments guys!

And I think this is the best Fire chief car so far.

My memory about Fire sets are quite hazy but IIRC this is the only Fire Chief car we've had so far. Most of the past fire vehicles are fire trucks, pick-up trucks and the like, but none dedicated to the Fire Chief (I may be mistaken, so I guess it deserves a second look).

On the back of the box it looks like he has given up on the fish and decided to blast the cat down with the fire extinguiser.

LOL, you're probably right about that! Mr. Fire Chief doesn't have all day right?

[lightningtiger]

The first fire chief's car was back in the late 1970's......

[XimenaPaulina]

The first fire chief's car was back in the late 1970's......

Yep I did take a look at Brickset and indeed that is the first Fire Chief Car, but 60001 is still the only minifig-scale Fire Chief car we've had (should've qualified my statement better ).

Still it's good to see this particular vehicle get a much much needed update after 30+ long years!

[Man with a hat]

Yep I did take a look at Brickset and indeed that is the first Fire Chief Car, but 60001 is still the only minifig-scale Fire Chief car we've had (should've qualified my statement better ).

Ah yes good old 602.

But I also remember that as a kid some years later I also got 6611 (and then I think there also 6525 can be considered as Fire Chief car).

Anyway thanks again for a great review and sorry for the nitpicking...

[Mechanic]

Good set and good rewiew! Excellent photo quality. This year sets a success, don't they?

[XimenaPaulina]

Ah yes good old 602.

But I also remember that as a kid some years later I also got 6611 (and then I think there also 6525 can be considered as Fire Chief car).

Anyway thanks again for a great review and sorry for the nitpicking...

No worries my friend, I actually appreciate people giving info that I overlooked. Those two indeed look like 'cars' for the Fire Chief/Commander, albeit not of the modern CITY versions. I guess I'd have to qualify my statement even better - 60001 is the first Fire Chief Car of CITY Fire subtheme (not Classic Town) - I guess that covers it up well.

Good set and good rewiew! Excellent photo quality. This year sets a success, don't they?

Thanks, like I said above I think TLG did a god job of reinventing the CITY Fire subtheme by giving us new vehicles of the CITY Fire Department - a Fire Motorcycle (60000), this Fire Chief Car (60001), a new Fire Helicopter model (60010) + the best looking (general consensus) Fire Truck we've had so far (60002) - not bad for a subtheme often maligned by AFOLs for being redundantly boring.

[Galaxy Explorer]

Very nice review, and quite funny as well! I bought this set last night along with the Fire Station. The first Fire Chief car that doesn't look like a Go-Cart! I must say that the dashboard was a big surprise and my favorite part of the set. I'll bet we see this detail in future sets. I agree it doesn't look as sleek head on, bot that is typical with most of the CITY cars. I might try some of the wheels from the Parking Garage set from last year to make it look better. The scenario with the cat stuck up in a tree has been done three times now in CITY, which is fine but the tree doesn't look too good- my cat could jump from that with no problem. And where the hell did the fish come from? If it were just laying there, the cat wouldn't have climbed the tree in the first place- It would stay on the ground and eat it. Maybe the Chief wasn't just passing by and actually got a call. But yes, this is a very nice set with some great minifigs. Thanks again for the review!

[Missing Brick]

Nice review but I voted poor from an AFOL perspective. Too many big pre-moulded pieces that you can't use for anything else. eg. the grill/ headlight assy instead of proper useful 1x1 stud-on-side bricks , the roof piece, the chassis. And no doors. Too <insert that tiresome argument> for me as an AFOL but kids will probably like it well enough.

[mobricki]

I bought this set yesterday and I must say it's very well done and I think one of the first cars with a dashboard. I love the new pieces too. I wish they would bring out the base in a new color besides the dark bley though.

[legobear]

beautiful car but super boring T_T and on the point of size - too big. What's with the ugly tires again. I wish TLC could use regular smooth tires and remove the ugly fenders.

[XimenaPaulina]

beautiful car but super boring T_T and on the point of size - too big. What's with the ugly tires again. I wish TLC could use regular smooth tires and remove the ugly fenders.

I think the size is just about right, though I agree the tire assembly could've been better. The blue car from the 4207 City Garage actually looks nice with smaller wheels and smoother tires (below) - it would be good to see cars such as this Fire Chief Car get this properly sized wheels to differentiate with the supposedly bigger truck wheels.

Pic from xtremegoogler's 4207 City Garage review

With regards to the fenders, these pieces are more appropriate for larger vehicles such as trucks, but in smaller cars it does look oversized. I wish we'd get an updated modernized version of this piece which would look better in smaller cars.

[SheepEater]

Yep I did take a look at Brickset and indeed that is the first Fire Chief Car, but 60001 is still the only minifig-scale Fire Chief car we've had (should've qualified my statement better ).

Still it's good to see this particular vehicle get a much much needed update after 30+ long years!

You're not including the fire chief cars that we've gotten as parts of bigger sets?

Edited January 20, 2013 by SheepEater

[niteangel]

"(2) "Wedge 3 x 4 x 2/3 Cutout" which can only be found in two sets; with this set being the only regular set where it can be found (the other is the 2012 Luke Skywalker's Chibi-Landspeeder ComiCon giveaway)"

No. I think 60017 also has it on the sports car :)

Great review! And I love this car too!

[CAP-Team]

The first fire chief's car was back in the late 1970's......

Cool! Now I (er.. I mean me and my son) now have both fire chief's cars :)

[vean]

Lego set #602!

It was my first one in 1980...!

[XimenaPaulina]

You're not including the fire chief cars that we've gotten as parts of bigger sets?

Hmm, yes that could be included, thought it's technically not described as Fire Chief Car but I guess we could consider that also.

"(2) "Wedge 3 x 4 x 2/3 Cutout" which can only be found in two sets; with this set being the only regular set where it can be found (the other is the 2012 Luke Skywalker's Chibi-Landspeeder ComiCon giveaway)"

No. I think 60017 also has it on the sports car :)

Very keen observation! Though I have Briclink to partially blame since 60017 has not yet been inventoried (understandably since it's still a new set) so the part page still lists it as exclusive to two sets. But you are right, that part can also be found in the sports car of 60017 (with even the same hood set-up as 60001).

[hush]

Great review again, i really like the new city stuff, i didn't at first but i'm really liking what they are doing.

[LukeWarmTea]

My daughter built this yesterday, and noticed one big playability flaw - there's no way to get up the 'tree'! Where did the fish come from? Why didn't the fire chief come with a ladder? Why isn't the tree more tree like, so it might be climbed? How did the kitten get there in the first place???

If a 5yo could think of those things, why isn't a designer?! Ha, gotta love the helmet though!

[Lordofdragonss]

Cats LOVE climbing trees for no reason and they cry for help. He clearly tries to lure the cat to come down:)

[Sarah]

It's been a while since I took a look at cars in Lego.

Is it really normal for them to have no doors for the person to get inside? I recall the cars I had as a child had doors that opened and closed. (Or open tops and you just set the figure inside)

I like the gold hat on this one... It seems like a small set so may end up being purchased just for that.

What is that piece they made the tree out of? You didn't seem to think its a significant piece but I can't figure out what's supposed to be -- a hollow tube with a cube at the bottom