Vroom Vroom and buon giorno AFOLs!!! Today I bring you my review of the Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 (42143)! Join me in the passenger seat as we take a look at this incredible set. I’m extra excited to talk about this because it is my first ever Technic set – and what a way to start! With almost 4,000 pieces and a hefty set of instructions, this was no small undertaking. First announced in late May, this advanced model released on June 1st and is currently available online. For an unboxing and summarized review, please check out the video below. A speed-build was beyond my powers with this one guys, so while it’s the Coles Notes version, I hope you can still enjoy.
This is our sixth Technic and second of the Super Car concept models reviewed for the site. Tom previously looked at the Lamborghini Sian (42115) and just last week Krista gave us her feedback on the Ducati Panigale V4 R (42107). Interestingly enough, both models are from 2020. Fasten your seatbelts and let’s burn rubber.
NOTE: This set was provided by The LEGO® Group to True North Bricks for review. This does not guarantee a favourable review and all opinions are my own. For a breakdown of the rating system, please click here.
FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 (42143) SET SUMMARY
- NAME: Ferrari Daytona SP3
- SET #: 42143
- THEME: Technic / 18+
- COST (Jun 1st): $499.99 CAD
- COST (Aug 1st): $559.99 CAD (+12%)
- BRICK COUNT: 3778
- MINIFIGURES: none
- RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2022
FERRARI DAYTONA SP3 (42143) QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 86% (good scores on costs-per-brick and min, made a bit lower bc of recent price increase)
- BUILD: 96% (a challenging, unique and lengthy build that showcases Technic design beautifully)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 100% (a stunning model that makes a stunning display piece for any AFOL)
- OVERALL SCORE: 94% (an epic set with an epic price tag, but one definitely worth the hype)
VALUE: 86%
Alright, this category is a wee bit tricky to discuss. The timing of this review presents some interesting issues that need addressing. When the Ferrari Daytona SP3 (72143) released on June 1st, it carried an MSRP of $499.99 CAD – the same cost as the Lamborghini Sian (42115) two years earlier. For a set of this size and complexity, it seems fairly reasonable (and expected). At that original price, we get a cost-per-brick of $0.13 for a score of 82%. That’s pretty much our current average for all sets with reviews to date. And although we only have a few Technic sets reviewed, that’s also below that current average of $0.15 per piece.
So where’s the trickiness you might be asking? Well as many of you are aware, The LEGO®️ Group recently implemented price increases for many sets. And although it had only been on shelves for 2 months, the August 1st price hikes hit the Ferrari as well. So as it currently stands, this set will set you back $559.99 CAD – a 12% increase. With this new MSRP, we get a cost-per-brick of $0.15 and a new score of 77%. Statistically it’s not a massive change, but it’s a noticeable one.
road trip!
I knew going in that Technic sets, especially large ones, take a fair bit of time. And if Tom’s 18 hour experience with the Lamborghini was anything to go by, then I knew it would be a marathon. And a marathon it was! My build time for the Ferrari Daytona SP3 (42143) was a healthy 975 minutes – just over 16 hours. It was also done over the course of 5 days. This is far and away my longest build for a reviewed set to date. Taking that time into our handy-dandy statistics sheet, we get a cost-per-minute of $0.57 for a score of 95%! Of course this is with the current price. If we use the original MSRP, we get a value of $0.51 for a score of 97%.
This is an oddly unique circumstance to be in for a review. This is the first time I have had a price increase on me before a review. Often enough I’ll have something on sale, not the other way around. But then again, it’s only been 2 months….so what’s a LEGO®️ reviewer to do? In consulting with the judges (Ok Tom and 4 random minifigures) I think it’s logical to go with the current pricing for our scores. Unless your market magically hasn’t upped the price, the current value will apply to you. With all that said, and at the current price, the Ferrari crosses the finish line with a final value score of 86%.
BUILD: 96%
Souped-Up Packaging
I always begin this section with a description of packaging. It always gives me a smile to talk about unique and/or clever design. The Ferrari Daytona SP3 (42143) box is pretty dang stunning. Doing away with any standard presentation, this is a longer rectangular box with a lid that removes vertically. The graphics on the front and back are minimal, evoking the current 18+ aesthetic. Both sides show the finished model in side view. Lifting the lid you get a 3/4 view on the front and a side view of the real car on the back. Each box also has a subtle glossy tire tread pattern that you can see in certain lighting. This is some classy, posh stuff 😎
Inside the box are three separate skinnier boxes. Seen head-on, they show a close-up of the car’s rear grille, exhaust and that iconic logo. I’m loving the extra detailing on these boxes. Instead of a simple rectangle, each one has a chamfered corner. Making angles like that on a box is not necessary per se (though it does help with removing them) so it’s mostly an elegant design choice. Inside Box 1 are bags labeled 1 and 2 as well as two MASSIVE instruction manuals. Book 1 is 402 pages and Book 2 is 416 pages. In total that’s 818 pages of instructions with 1200+ steps. Box 2 holds bags 5-6 and Box 3 holds bags 6 and 7 and the wheel rims and tires.
fasten your seatbelts
The Ferrari Daytona SP3 (42143) is hands-down my most time-consuming build to date. I’ve taken longer overall on a few sets, but this takes the brick for sheer attention-to-detail. Be sure to analyze every inch of those instruction pages. There are so many steps and each one only adds so may pieces at a time. It’s totally necessary with a Technic assembly, but I found that this also led to a few instances of leftover pieces. When finishing Box 1, I had a large gear leftover. Ruh-Roh!! Cut to poor Frank combing through 140 pages of instructions to find out where I went wrong. Then cut to me crying as I tried to disassemble without actually ripping the whole shebang apart. But I did it….mostly. Lessons learned my friends.
Despite the odd mistake and my inexperience with Technic, I did find the instructions fairly clear. Every now and then I came across an assembly/connection that’s not obvious based on the spot being obscured in the drawing. Which hole does this go in?? Which pin lines up where?? Etc. But it’s the exception to the rule. Some steps are so complex, that you get a little extra help from the internet. When prompted, you can scan a QR code to open a video on the LEGO®️ website. It’s a very smart call and definitely helps clarify some of the trickier assemblies.
so. many. pins…
One thing I noted during the build is how finnicky technic pins are. I mean, I knew this, but they easily take twice as long to place as a regular brick. I’m not griping mind you, but I swear this accounts for the majority of my 16+ hour build. Connecting two assemblies together with anywhere from three to ten pins can be maddening. Eight connect, but the ninth doesn’t. Then the ninth finally goes in but three others bail on you. Be careful or you’ll far too easily pinch your fingers too! And just FYI, there are 607 black connector pins, 397 blue connector pegs and 142 blue axle/pins. That means 1146 out of 3778 pieces are pins. That’s 30% people! Anyone other than me think that’s just wild??
Functional Engineering
Like any Technic model, the Ferrari Daytona SP3 (42143) features a variety of moving components. After all, what’s a Technic set without a little functionality? Coolest of these features is a lever hidden under the rear hood. Push down on the yellow piece and it will open the Swan-wing door. It works smoothly and makes for a fun surprise. I love that each door stays opens easily too, none of that falling back down or getting stuck silliness. And yes I’m looking at YOU Delorean Time Machine…
Another cool, but sadly hidden, detail is the ‘working’ v12 engine. Technic cars always have a great engine design. The pistons inside the casing look so fairly authentic. The connected gears and axles allow for a realistic function when the car moves forward (via the rear wheels). And although you can see the engine by lifting the back, the pistons are obscured under some printed panels. While I’m sure that’s accurate, it’s a very slight bummer. If nothing else, it just shows how much awesome detail is put into a model of this caliber. On that note, there’s a working gear shift built into the car as well. If that ain’t attention-to-detail, then what is?
all the curves
Building with LEGO®️ bricks, be they system or technic, comes with certain limitations for shapes. Curves are not an easy thing to achieve. And compound, complex curves are especially difficult. The real Ferrari Daytona SP3 is literally all curves – it’s beautifully organic and not at all ‘machine-like’. This brick-built version does a very nice job replicating those shapes. Technic pieces overlap and join in such a way as to allow even the negative space to work visually. A few spots are less convincing, but nothing so serious that it detracts or ruins the illusion. I can’t imagine doing any better with the parts catalogue as it is. And no doubt lots of new molds were created just for this set.
My favourite bit of detailing are the repetitive system bricks showing strong horizontal lines by the front and rear lights. Putting those parts together creates a dynamic visual, one that’s very easily associated with this car model. It’s also the biggest use of system bricks, so they really stand out. The entire rear of the car is really expertly done, from the clear engine window to the printed gas cap and logos. Flex tubes are also used between technic parts to create the subtlest of angles. Kudos to that Technic design. Seen head-on at the back, the car looks so amazing! This entire creation is a *chef’s kiss*.
Handle with care
The Ferrari Daytona SP3 (42143) is a near-perfect build for me. It’s a thoroughly challenging construction that will engagingly occupy your time. My one and only critique of note is the final model does feel overly fragile. Picking this up makes me want to hold my breath. I know it’s sturdy (enough) but the front and rear assemblies are only connected underneath. The top of the car comes off to access the interior so there’s not a strong connection. As such, the very heavy engine area twists slightly. But that is accurate to the real car as it can have an open top. There’s also so many pieces that are connected with only a pin so you just have to be mindful or where you grab for handling. But this is observation more than concern. My final Build score for this gorgeous super car is 96%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 100%
Exactly how entertaining is the Ferrari Daytona SP3 (42143)? If you’re an AFOL, then you will enjoy the challenge and unique experience of this latest Technic behemoth. There’s an awesome “WOW” factor to a set of this size and complexity. It’s a display piece of epic proportions. And I mean epic – the completed set is 59cm which means clear some room on the shelf! And if you happen to have the previous three Super Cars (Lamborghini Sian, Bugatti Chiron & Porsche 911) it will make for a stunning collection. Can you play with this set? Sorta….kind of….ok not at all. And for all you Technic MOC makers out there, this set is obviously a treasure trove of parts and elements.
The inclusion of a UCS-style information plaque is a first for the Super Car sub-theme. It’s very simple however, and feels like more of an add-on than anything substantial. It’s certainly not necessary, but it is a nicely printed tile piece – obviously no stickers in this set. The instruction manual also offers some behind-the-scenes information and photos. You get some nice tidbits from both companies on how this collaboration came about. I’m always eager to find out more about sets and love when the instructions take some time to educate you. I wish there were more snippets throughout (like they do in Architecture sets) but this is still pretty great stuff. My final score is a perfect 100%.
OVERALL: 94%
The Ferrari Daytona SP3 (41423) is easily one for the record books. It’s massive, it’s complex, it’s fun to build and it’s stylish. It’s also expensive which sadly limits its broader appeal. But while it became more expensive quite soon after release, this didn’t make any significant impact on the final score. Taking the original price this set would have scored higher in value, but only netted a 1% increase for the overall. At the end of the day, this set still gets an A+. The LEGO®️ Group and Ferrari have been collaborating on sets since 1998! This is way longer than I expected. To date they have released approximately 50 sets. It’s a successful and popular partnership that continues to appeal to a broad audience. If this is the 50th Ferrari set, then it is easily the most epic.
I can’t recommend this set enough. But I do recognize its high entry price. Therefore it won’t be for everyone. Far FAR less than everyone really. But if you have the means or can save those toonies, it’s an absolute endorsement. The sudden price hike certainly doesn’t help matters much for our favourite hobby. But if you’re more selective in your purchases and a car or technic fan in any way, then you’ll no doubt have this on your list. And if you’re not any of those things then this is still a set to keep in mind. My final score is a super-charged 94%.
Forza!
I’m not, nor have I ever been a car guy. But I do love great designs and many things Italian – it’s in my blood after all. My dream car growing up was the Lamborhini Countach in all it’s 80’s glory. And should I want the brick version of that I can look to the Speed Champions line and set #76908. A close second would be the Ferrari Testarossa – another iconic bit of flex from my childhood. Ironically there has yet to be a LEGO®️ built version of that car. But with the recent Countach, maybe one isn’t far off. I guess I know which sets I’m aiming for next.
And now I want to hear from you! What do you think about this latest and reddest Super Car? Are you a big fan of the Technic theme? Do you own any of the other large sets? What’s your dream car that needs the brick-built treatment? Comment below and in all the usual places. Thanks so much for reading and until next time, keep on brickin’. 🧱
-Frank
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Awesome build Frank, Great review!! 🚘💥🎉