Lego Celebrates the Fourth of July Early With the Equivalent of America on Wheels: a 1961 Corvette

Pop the hood, with its hinges located at the front of the vehicle, to reveal a detailed replica of the ‘61 Corvette’s engine, including a spinning radiator fan, and a glimpse at the functional tie-rod steering beneath it, which connects the model’s working steering wheel to its front wheels.

Although not known for having the most spacious posterior, Lego’s ‘61 Corvette has a working trunk, too, with enough capacity for a couple of minifigure-scale carry-on bags, or the handful of extra parts that seems to come with every Lego set.

Working doors provide easier access to the Corvette’s interior for those not wanting to ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ their way inside, where you’ll find additional details like clutch, brake, and gas pedals (sorry, there’s no automatic option), a gear shift, a radio, a rear view mirror, and a pair of seatbelt-less seats.

Like the original, Lego’s ‘61 Corvette includes a removable hardtop roof for those not digging the convertible vibe, but unfortunately the limited trunk space means it can’t be stashed away inside the model when not in use.

Three different styles of swappable license plate are included with Lego’s ‘61 Corvette. A plate featuring the vehicle’s logo at the time, a yellow California-style plate, and a blue and white Michigan-style plate, because although the real vehicle was built in St. Louis, it’s a Chevrolet, and GM is still based out of Detroit.

It would be a crime to not include white walls on a vintage roadster like this, which Lego accomplishes with white plastic wheel hubs. But the model also comes with a set of custom-printed round tiles, recreating the look of the ‘61 Corvette’s hubcaps.

Don’t center your Fourth of July plans around building Lego’s replica of this iconic roadster. The set won’t actually be available for purchase until August 1, when it can be purchased through Lego’s website, or its brick-and-mortar stores, for $150.