LEGO® food trucks are amusing. I really enjoy them. The trucks are always fun in and of themselves. However, you also get a lot of fun signage and accessories for custom builds. In January 2020, we got two of them, the Monster Burger Truck (31104) and the Ice-Cream Truck (60253). This week, we examine the latter.
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ICE CREAM TRUCK (60253) SUMMARY
- NAME: Ice-Cream Truck
- SET #: 60253
- THEME: City
- COST: $24.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 200
- MINIFIGURES: 2
- RELEASE DATE: January 2, 2020
ICE CREAM TRUCK (60253) QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 83% (Good cost-per-brick at $0.125, and build-time at $0.81.)
- BUILD: 95% (Nice design, great signage, and details. No novel build techniques.)
- MINIFIGURES: 90% (Not detailed minifigs, but good accessory count and brick:fig ratio.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 90% (Niche-interest set, but a good one.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 90%
ICE CREAM TRUCK (60253) REVIEW
VALUE: 83%
The Ice-Cream Truck costs $24.99 in Canada. Additionally, the set contains 200 bricks. Consequently, the cost-per-brick clocks in at $0.125. This is good news on two fronts. Firstly, my average cost-per-brick is currently $0.14. Secondly, my average cost-per-brick for the City theme is $0.17. This set is a good value no matter how you spin it, even at full price. I rate it at 85% in this category.
The Ice-Cream Truck took me 31 minutes to build. As a result, each minute of build-time cost $0.81. Comparatively, my average cost-per-minute is $0.83. So, once again, you get a good value even at full price. I rate this cost-per-minute at 81%. Averaging this score with the value-per-brick gives an overall value grade of 83%.
BUILD: 95%
The Ice-Cream Truck looks good. I like the design and the signage. However, what impressed me the most was the sliding window at the order counter. What a nice added touch! Additionally, both Minifigs and people can access the cab. You can place a character inside by removing the cab roof. The cab also has doors for Minifigs to use in play. I dislike when designers do not add cab doors for Minifigures. I think the only detail missing is a little step up to the door. Incidentally, you access the rear compartment through a hinged wall on the truck. It is similar in style to the camper vans from the City theme.
Despite the fun features and details, there are no amazing building techniques employed in this design. Even the sliding window is a technique we have seen before. While certainly not a deal breaker, I do like to gain new techniques from my sets. Overall, I rate my build satisfaction with this set at 95%.
MINIFIGURES: 90%
The set includes two Minifigures. Neither of them has double-sided faces nor leg printing. However, both have front and back torso prints. Additionally, you get a printed register brick and money tile, two popsicles, a skateboard, a helmet, and a dog. I rate the design and accessories at 27/30 (90%).
Two Minifigures in a 200-piece kit is a brick-to-fig ratio of 100:1. Comparatively, my average sits at 151:1 right now. Therefore, you get a decent number of Minifigures for a set this size. I rate that at 90% as well.
ENTERTAINMENT: 90%
As I said earlier on, I love LEGO® food trucks. This set will find a corner in my city. However, it comes with nice signs and bricks that lend themselves well to developing an ice-cream shop custom build. Regardless of whether you are an AFOL or a KFOL, if you are building a city then this is a great set to own. I can see collectors of other themes/non-city builders being less enthused with this kit though. As such, I rate the entertainment score at 90%.
OVERALL SCORE: 90%
The Ice-Cream Truck is certainly a niche-interest set. However, it comes at a good value and features many fun details. The Minifigures need more printing, but the accessory count and brick:fig ratios are great. I am a city-builder, so this set struck a chord with me. I was not disappointed, and I think this is a great kit. What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
What do others think?
Brick Insights is an awesome site that aggregates LEGO® set review scores from around the web. Based on their statistics, you can see what other reviewers think of the Ice-Cream Truck (60253) below.
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