Review: 70434 Supernatural Race Car
Posted by CapnRex101,Several unusual vehicles have previously been deployed against illusory minifigures from the Hidden Side, featuring various weapons which Professor J.B has created. 70434 Supernatural Race Car lacks such equipment though, hence this model appears interesting.
The dark green and flame yellowish orange colour scheme looks excellent and the bodywork is appropriately aerodynamic, befitting a traditional hot rod. Furthermore, I love the exposed wheels and their exaggerated proportions which reflect the imaginative Hidden Side theme.
Minifigures
Jack Davids appears in the majority of Hidden Side sets, wearing red or white jackets and different headgear. This minifigure sports a red baseball cap which is dual-moulded with dark brown hair and looks superb. The texture seems fairly realistic and I like the double-sided head too, displaying a smile on one side and a frightened expression on the other.
While the head and hat element were both introduced during January, the torso and legs return from the 2019 range. Nevertheless, they are nicely detailed. The golden buttons on Jack's red jacket look nice and the metallic silver bone-shaped charm hanging from his belt is delightful, making reference to Spencer who passed away shortly before the events of the Hidden Side theme began.
Spencer is ingeniously designed, comprising white and trans-clear plastic which create an ethereal effect. The moulded ears and tail look great and I appreciate the simple printing on Spencer's face, forming his black nose and eyes. This figure can also attach to any studded surfaces which is useful.
Despite his ghostly status, Vaughn Geist allies himself with the ghost hunters. He originated during the nineteenth century and is dressed accordingly, sporting a medium nougat jacket and bowler hat which both look marvellous. His dark green waistcoat is similarly attractive, matching the predominant colour on Vaughn's car and his bandana.
Reddish brown straps are printed across the torso and legs, featuring various pouches which store equipment for ensnaring spirits. Unfortunately, this heroic character sacrificed himself to vanquish past hauntings, therefore becoming a ghost himself! The trans-purple head is perfect and I like the metallic goggles, along with an impressive moustache and grin.
The details only become visible after removing the bandana and I think Vaughn looks equally impressive without it. He is armed with a pearl dark grey crossbow while Jack carries his new mobile phone, displaying a yellow ghost that has become visible through the Hidden Side app. This differs from his previous accessories which showed a pale blue ghoul.
70436 Ghost Firetruck 3000 contains a hooded Shadow Walker but this soldier features an angular black helmet instead, following its last appearance in the Nexo Knights range. The trans-black head beneath remains consistent though. Bright blue energy emanates from the eyes and stands out strongly against the black helmet and armour, complementing the ghoulish wings.
This wing component was introduced last year but has only been available in trans-neon green, until now. I think the trans-light blue shade looks good though and the worn texture is excellent. Additionally, the torso features blue and white highlights alongside metallic silver armour and this colour combination works nicely. The evil Shadow Walker carries a pearl dark grey sword, befitting his menacing appearance.
The Completed Model
Vaughn Geist's racing car measures 19cm in length and appears incredibly sleek, featuring numerous curved slopes and tiles that leave few visible studs. Exposed studs are sometimes beneficial but I think this model looks marvellous without them. As previously mentioned, dark green and flame yellowish orange parts look brilliant together and that colour scheme remains consistent throughout the entire vehicle, albeit with some black highlights.
Two light bluish grey shields represent fenders on the front of this vehicle, flanking a splendid cow skull decoration at the centre. This element has not appeared in pearl dark grey before and looks wonderful, especially with trans-pink headlights fixed behind. Moreover, I like the matching exhausts and air intake around the engine. Removing this intake reveals a yellow panel that can be scanned underneath.
Small canisters are positioned on either side, presumably containing fuel. However, they are also designed to rotate, revealing medium azure 1x2 half cylinders for scanning in the Hidden Side app. These have been integrated perfectly and I like the stickers placed here, introducing metallic details and a fun ghost emblem towards the back.
4x4 arch plates create an elegant shape around the cockpit and I love the angled roof as well, presenting an aggressive profile. Opening the roof panel reveals room for one occupant inside and various controls. The car from the Hidden Side animated episodes includes two seats but I think this design is adequate, especially since the proportions of the vehicle have been adjusted to appear sleeker.
Viewing this vehicle from the side reveals its dramatic forward rake which looks magnificent. I love the varying tyre sizes too, corresponding with many authentic hot rods. Stickers decorate each wheel insert, featuring additional metallic silver details and some unusual pink highlights. These seem incongruous but their purpose quickly becomes apparent.
The wheels can fold down easily, forming thrusters which enable the racing car to hover. This function has been hidden exceptionally well and I am especially impressed with the front tyres that line up with pearl silver Technic connectors, as shown below. The transformation does not really appeal to me, although play functions are welcome and the external design of the model remains almost entirely unspoiled.
Unfortunately, the only exception to that statement appears most visible from behind, where blue Technic pins emerge behind each tyre. They certainly stand out against the surrounding pieces but it would probably have been difficult to conceal them. The rotating colour wheel, by contrast, is beautifully hidden behind the driver and turns to display three colours for scanning.
Overall
Hidden Side vehicles have proven impressive and 70434 Supernatural Race Car undoubtedly continues that trend, due in particular to its unique appearance. The colours are fantastic and I think the curved bodywork looks superb. Furthermore, the exposed wheels seem exceptionally effective and distinguish this hot rod from previous LEGO creations.
The minifigure selection is rather disappointing though because none are exclusive, except for the Shadow Walker's trans-light blue wings. Lady E. would have been a suitable addition here. In addition, the price of £24.99 or $29.99 compares unfavourably with 70419 Wrecked Shrimp Boat or 70429 El Fuego's Stunt Plane. The quality of this model is brilliant though and I think it would be a worthy purchase once discounted.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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30 comments on this article
Nice set, hadn't seen this one coming along, and as my name is "Vaughn" I'd better get it.
I love the ghost on Vaughn's belt buckle (it's easy to miss), and is he wearing a necklace with some Illuminati symbols or something?
This looks lovely, and I particularly appreciate the fact that it works as a standard vehicle. I think that makes the most effective Hidden Side sets, such as the shrimp boat.
This looks like something out of Mad Max, even Vaughn Geist.
That helmet dates all the way back to Knights' Kingdom II, not Nexo Knights. Nice review otherwise!
Excellent article but there is a small typo at the start of the minifigure description for Jack Davids where it says "read or white" rather than "red or white"
The cartoon ghost reminds me an awful lot of Cuphead.
@Bison_Bricks - I think the triangular symbols might be letters from the Hidden Side. Similar designs adorn the car and there are seven different symbols throughout the set.
@Norikins - Indeed, I was referring to the black helmet last appearing in Nexo Knights but have now clarified that in the article.
@Fulinkazan - Thank you, that has been corrected.
@Lobo_da_boss_ said:
"Why does a theme like hidden side have to have an oversized vehicle every wave
"
Because kids like them.
The interval between waves may not seem very long to AFOLs, but to kids, it's enough time to lose some followers of the line and gain new ones. The repetitiveness in HS and many other lines is to continue to appeal to kids.
The ghostly faces in the shadow walker's wings are a brilliant piece of design
It’s funny seeing a minifigure wearing a mask. That’s rather timely for a fellow from over a century back!
I like the 1960's Lotus F1 color scheme.
Love the wheel stickers to give it those Weld racing hot rod racing wheel look. Also, totally digging the British racing green and yellow color scheme. I'm definitely getting the Lotus vibe.
Do I see 1x2 half cylinder bricks?
I always found it interesting that Vaughn has a purple head. Does that mean he's equal parts depressed and angry or do not all ghosts follow the typical color-coding?
I love the little rubber-hose style ghost on the side of the car. Adorable.
Does the 227 on the roof mean anything?
@stud_economy said:
"Do I see 1x2 half cylinder bricks?"
Niiiice
"blue Technic pins emerge behind each tyre. They certainly stand out against the surrounding pieces but it would probably have been difficult to conceal them"
Well, dear LEGO, I bet you can think of ONE way of 'concealing' them...
The vehicle looks good. But the figures look amazing, as always. This would be a HS set I'd build everything from, rather than ones I didn't get because what I really wanted was the figs.
@stud_economy said:
"Do I see 1x2 half cylinder bricks?"
Apparently so. I'd love to see pictures of these, but perhaps we'll have to wait for a New Elementary article.
I have now photographed the 1x2 half cylinder pieces and published an image on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brickset/49921457197/in/photostream/
Kind of neat. But this will probably be the only set I skip. It’s not that the minifigs are uninteresting? But as was said they aren’t exclusive to this set. While I want Vaughn. My OCD keeps reminding me “that’s the wrong Jack figure!” Jack should be his bluish ghost realm / Hidden Side version. The car only exists in the ghostly Hidden Side realm.
I find Vaughn Geist's print exceptional and extremely useful for steampunk MOCs!
@CapnRex101 : So there is no ghost transformation in this set like there was for all the others ?
@CapnRex101 said:
"I have now photographed the 1x2 half cylinder pieces and published an image on Flickr"
Thanks for this. I look forward to seeing how other people make use of them.
Is this Vaughn Geist a nod to Doctor Rodney Rathbone - https://brickset.com/minifigs/mof005/doctor-rodney-rathbone ?
@DearMisterLegoBreaker said:
" @CapnRex101 : So there is no ghost transformation in this set like there was for all the others ? "
In the story/lore of the Hidden Side, the car exists in the Ghost Realm itself. Not the real world. It’s Vaughn’s car which he uses to rescue Jack when Jack gets trapped in the Hidden Side realm. So the car is technically already a ghost.
It's a nice looking hotrod, and the hovering function seems almost too reminiscent of Nick Furry's hover car from that one older Avenger's set. Seems a bit overpriced at $40 Canadian, but unlike the stunt plane or most of wave two's sets proves a bit more interesting. The villains in this wave remind me a lot of some of the monster characters during Nexo Knight's waves 3 and 4 sets. Not sure I'll be getting this one as I think though double the price the Firetruck is a much better value in build, functionality. I will say for an action theme both models seem equally good in terms of display ability. Dunno, may come around on this one at a later time.
@Faefrost said:
In the story/lore of the Hidden Side, the car exists in the Ghost Realm itself. Not the real world. It’s Vaughn’s car which he uses to rescue Jack when Jack gets trapped in the Hidden Side realm. So the car is technically already a ghost. "
Thanks for the reply, it makes sense.
But I liked the morphing sets better :(
How come the Wave 2 to 3 sets don't include the soul artifacts? (the special spring green pieces)