The Vette gets a set: Lego releases classic 1961 Corvette C1 kit

Danish toymaker Lego continues its rollout of iconic ‘lifelike’ construction kits with the release of a 1961 Chevrolet Corvette as part of the ‘icons’ series.

The red and white ‘Vette completes a trinity of American muscle car icons offered in Lego kit form, and can join the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and 1967 Ford Mustang models most likely already gracing your mantlepiece.

Released in 1953, the C1 Corvette underwent significant changes for the 1956 model year (where the contrasting ‘cove’ panel was introduced). In 1958 the quad headlamps were added and for 1961 the rear scored the same treatment, a design detail carried through all Corvette generations to this day.

A 1959 model red and white Corvette was famously featured in the 1994 movie True Lies, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Paxton.

Using 1210 components, the Corvette Lego kit is 32cm long, 14cm wide and 10cm tall and can be displayed with or without the convertible hard top in place. The doors, boot and bonnet can open and the model includes a detailed 4.6-litre (283ci) small block V8 engine.

The new kit is not the first time Lego has offered a Corvette model. The C1 'Icon' kit (10321) joins an orange Lego Technic C7 ZR1 (42093), Speed Champions Z06 model (75870) and a Speed Champions combination set (76903) comprising a C3 Stingray and C8.R race car as licenced Lego product to wear the famous Corvette badge.

Priced from $249.99, Lego kit number 10321 is now available to preorder online.