Speed Champions has become an interesting LEGO® theme. Introduced in 2015, the theme built on the extensive range of brick-built vehicles found in other themes. But instead of generic vehicles, the LEGO Group partnered with several automotive brands to recreate real-world cars as uniquely detailed, minifigure-scale vehicles. Speed Champions sets initially began as 6-stud wide vehicles, but later slightly expanded the scale to offer better detail and more complex builds. Although the focus of the theme remains popular car brands, Speed Champions has dabbled with iconic vehicles from the movies.
In 2022, two movie-themed Speed Champions were released. These included the Dodge Charger from the Fast & Furious films. Driven by family-loving Dom Toretto. This was joined by a classic Aston Martin DB5, the wheels of choice for British spy James Bond. Both sets still had the connection to well-known car brands but featured elements from the films, including minifigures of their drivers, Dom and 007.
In the following years, the Fast and Furious films would inspire two more sets with Brian O’Conner’s Nissan Skyline GT-R and Suki’s Honda S2000.
In recent weeks, two more movie-inspired Speed Champions sets have been announced. Although they are still inspired by popular movie franchises, these are a little different. To mark the 20th anniversary of Disney Pixar’s Cars, Lightning McQueen will be transformed into a Speed Champions build. He will be joined by a new version of the DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future.
But where could the LEGO Speed Champions sets go next? Some iconic movie and TV vehicles have already been featured in sets such as the various Batmobiles, Ecto-1 and the Ford Anglia from Harry Potter. So here are a few inspirational ideas which don’t really connect to any current themes.
Knight Rider
The 80s were filled with amazing movies and TV shows, including Knight Rider. The crime drama saw Michael Knight team up with a talking car known as K.I.T.T. This was a modified Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, known for its unique sweeping red light. Knight Rider was previously featured in LEGO Dimensions.
Herbie
Disney’s beloved live-action Herbie films focused on the adventure of a sentient VW Beetle. Several films followed in the original release in 1968, including a remake of sorts in 2005, which still features the classic Beetle despite Volkswagen creating a new model of the classic car. The iconic paint job of Herbie would make a great set.
Mr Bean’s Mini
Mr Bean may seem to be a quirky British comedy, but the character’s appeal is oddly global. His classic Mini Cooper could easily be replicated using the same base model as the past Speed Champions Mini set.
The Bluesmobile
They are on a mission from God, but do so in a modified Dodge Monaco police car. Jake and Elwood Blue’s car is featured heavily in the classic 1974 comedy. The car is best known for taking part in an amazing police chase and causing an iconic pile-up.
James Bond 007 Cars
We have already had Bond’s iconic Aston Martin appear in the Speed Champions range, but 007 has commandeered many vehicles. From The Spy Who Loved Me, there’s the Lotus Esprit. The Living Daylights featured an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante. In fact, there are several different cars from the Bond film which would make great films, and they could include different versions of 007.
The A-Team Van
In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade and helped people by driving around in a GMC Vandura. A van may be a little left field for the Speed Champions range, but it has featured 4×4 vehicles and trucks. Similar to Knight Rider, The A-Team was previously featured in LEGO Dimensions, but a set would certainly need to expand upon the BA Burracus minifigure by including the rest of the team.
Starsky & Hutch’s Ford Gran Turino
Many films and TV shows from the 70s and 80s have featured iconic vehicles. Classic 70s police drama, Starsky and Hutch, is one such show and saw the Bay City Detectives cruise around in a Ford Gran Turino. The car’s red and white paint job would make a great set, especially with the inclusion of Starsky and Hutch as minifigures.
