[REVIEW] 42050 - Drag Racer

[Jim]

I've already made such a thread

Thanks for the confirmation Sariel.

I will Frontpage our reviews later this evening, or tomorrow morning.

[aeh5040]

Thanks again for these awesome reviews, Jim!

You wrote:

This year TLG surprised us with releasing axles in different colors, like yellow, red and orange.

but I don't see any orange axles (which would be rather nice). Where are they? What color is the new 3L with stop? It looks like a strange brown in the picture.

Well, this is a bizarre set. I think it might be the first technic set that I buy just as a parts pack, and don't bother assembling the model!

[N-4K0]

The 3L axle with stop was said to be Reddish brown, I believe.

And I'm wondering about those orange axles too.

[Technic Jim]

I like the idea of this car, but I don't think that the designer pulled it off - the bodywork is quite angular and has bits showing through and the wheelie function isn't the best. However, having said that, it could be quite appealing. I think this is another buy for me.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Technic Jim

[Sariel]

The new 3L axle with stop is definitely Reddish Brown, although it's easy to mistake it for regular Brown. I haven't seen any orange axles.

[agrof]

Superb Reviews Jim, as usual! Thanks!

I still like this set a lot... but the wheelie mechanism... so pointless and sticks out from the whole model. If a kid (me) pushes the car, hand on the back, it is super easy to simulate a sudden (!! - yes, instead of rotating a knob for 10 secs!!) wheelie.

I could imagine a gear solution: one fixed on the rear axle, and one on the body, with some kind of clutch.

Still, this function as idea: great, and something fresh!

Will buy, will rework...

Edited December 1, 2015 by agrof

[Anio]

One word comes to my mind when I see this product : "LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL !"

[Jim]

The new 3L axle with stop is definitely Reddish Brown, although it's easy to mistake it for regular Brown. I haven't seen any orange axles.

True, the 3L isn't orange.

I thought there was supposed to be an orange axle in one of the models, Hydro Plane (not sure). There was a discussion about that in the 2016 topic. I didn't see any orange axles. I forgot to verify, so I will alter the line in my review.

[Lakop]

This is an intersting one. I like the idea, I see what they are trying to do but something about it isn't right to me. I would like to see the bodywork all one colour, say red, yellow or the darker lego blue (as in the crawler crane) with the stickers added. I think it should be longer, maybe ten studs. I also think it looks best without the current body work.

Can I propose a new comp to "Build a Dragster Racer", based on this new set. I'm convinced many on this forum could do better and I include myself in that, but don't run it yet as I need to finish what i'm curently working on. Maybe after the current comp or after that. Anyway, just an idea. Good review.

H

PS: I would buy it for the tumbler wheels and parts.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Horace T

[Kaanere]

As an ugly cars fan and a performance fan, I love this set!

Disapointed about the wheelie, but I like the lifting shell.

[Immo]

As an ugly cars fan and a performance fan, I love this set!

Can we be friends? Finally, someone who shares my opinion!

What astonishes me is that people hate the model that is actually pretty accurate in reproducing the real thing it's based on.

[JJ2]

I actually love this set. I think the designer really nailed the color- looks of the actual thing Who cares if the body is crude? If you are going drag racing with this thing I don't think you would want a really expensive body on it if you hit the wall......

[Blakbird]

I wonder if this is a case in which the B-model was actually intended to be the main model but then they switched it for some marketing reason. There is precedent of this happening before with 8284. I'll be very interested in hearing more about the Top Fuel dragster B-model.

Thanks for the review Jim!

[MajklSpajkl]

I really like the standalone chassis and the body's colours. The chassis looks like it's gonna explode from all the power :-) The shape of the body not so much unfortunately. Great review Jim, thanks!

[Victor Imaginator]

Jim, thanks for review) Now i really want two copies, and not for tumbler wheels. It's just crazy set, so i like it a lot)

[Cumulonimbus]

Thank you for the reviews Jim and Sariel, they really give a good impression of the new sets. As for the Drag racer, I'm still on the fence. I like details such as the engine and internal roll cage, the colors and the originality but I share most of the criticism mentioned above. I might have a go at redesigning the body on the same chassis, I'm imagining something along the lines of a scaled down 41999.

I wonder if this is a case in which the B-model was actually intended to be the main model but then they switched it for some marketing reason. There is precedent of this happening before with 8284.

@ Blakbird: I would be interested to know more about this case, can you share a source or a link? I'm curious how early in the development this decision has been made, because the 8284 B-model looks like a typical B-model in my eyes: less detailed and with fewer functions.

EDIT: I have found this website which explains that the 8284 B-model was sold as the A-model in the US, but not in other markets. I thought you meant that they were switched during development. Curious decision anyway.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Cumulonimbus

[AOW]

Nice proper V8 (fake) engine ! With all those details!

The rest well taste is something that we do not discuss :) But I have an idea for the TC10 ... make your own body schell :)

Regards

[Dafgek81]

Will not buy this set, find it unrealistic.

And if I would consider buying it, it would be for some parts.

Wheels for instance.

[Zerobricks]

For me most susprising thing in the set are 3L axles with stop... I dont really understand why they created a part so simillar to an existing one? How are they used in this model? Cant the normal 3L axle with stud be used in their place?

[Dafgek81]

A 3L axle with stop can be useful, but not in this colour.

[Richard Dower]

what stud length are the flat silver and black ribbed hoses in this set?

[piterx]

This set is ugly AF but its gonna bring the tumbler wheels price down :)

[Quincy]

Great review! ... I think you nailed it with this: "I know the reason behind this is physically valid, but it would have made this model a lot cooler than it currently is." ...It really feels like there could be better 'over-the-top' features incorporated into the Technic sets. ...This car should have done wheelies, even if it was a mechanical function that just lifts and lowers the car as it's rolling. Not a difficult function to add and not a function that would take away from the regular build of the car. - Here's hoping that Technic sets start becoming a bit more 'over-designed'... because right now, this feel a little phoned-in.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Quincy

[SevenStuds]

This set is ugly AF but its gonna bring the tumbler wheels price down :)

I agree on both counts. Makes me wish I hadn't already bought those wheels. There goes 60% of the value.

Maybe they should bring out a 50€ set with 4 Power Pullers!

Edited December 2, 2015 by SevenStuds

[JGW3000]

Last night my kids and I were looking at all of the new reviews (much appreciate and excellently photographed, btw). While they all got oohs and ahhs, this set was by far the winner, with the "wheelie function" eliciting the biggest response from the 8 year old. Clearly TLH knows their market and intended audience very well!