Meet Wallace & Gromit
For those unfamiliar with the characters, Wallace and Gromit are the creations of British animation studio Aardman Animations.
Wallace is an eccentric, cheese-loving inventor whose enthusiasm for creating bizarre machines and gadgets frequently gets him and his loyal dog Gromit into trouble. Gromit, by contrast, is the intelligent and practical member of the partnership, often having to rescue Wallace from the consequences of his latest invention.
The pair first appeared in the 1989 short film A Grand Day Out and went on to star in several acclaimed adventures, including The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and the feature film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
Their distinctive stop-motion clay animation and British humour have made Wallace & Gromit internationally popular, while their adventures have earned numerous awards.
Recreating A Close Shave
The centrepiece of 21371 is the pair’s vintage motorcycle and sidecar, recreated from the 1995 short film A Close Shave.
The model allows both Wallace and Gromit to be posed in different positions, while giving the motorcycle a functional feature: pushing the bike makes its wheels turn.
LEGO has also captured several of the duo’s distinctive characteristics. Gromit comes with his familiar goggles, which can be used to magnify his eyes, while the straps on his headgear can be raised to create the impression that they are blowing in the wind.
Packed With Easter Eggs
The set isn’t just about the motorcycle.
LEGO has included several small details referencing the world of Wallace & Gromit, including Wallace’s beloved crackers, a ball of yarn and a hidden diamond compartment beneath the motorcycle seat.
These details should make the set particularly enjoyable for longtime fans who recognise the references.
At approximately 23cm high, 23cm long and 18cm wide, the finished model is also compact enough to work well as a display piece on a shelf or desk.
From Fan Design to Official LEGO Set
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of 21371 is its origins.
The set began as a fan-designed LEGO Ideas submission by Sébastien Esnault, known in the LEGO Ideas community as Pidelium. His design was selected as the Grand Prize winner of LEGO Ideas’ ’90s Throwback – The Next Chapter’ challenge, eventually being transformed into the official LEGO set.
LEGO designers Tom Gerardin and Ellen Bowley then worked on adapting the fan concept into the finished product.
Interestingly, the designers developed new printing technology for the set to reproduce the distinctive shape of Wallace and Gromit’s eyes. The small dome pieces feature printed designs rather than the more familiar flat LEGO eye elements.
A Nostalgic LEGO Ideas Release
Priced at US$99.99 / £89.99 / €99.99 / SGD$149.90, 21371 is clearly aimed at adult LEGO and Wallace & Gromit collectors.
It is also an interesting example of how LEGO Ideas can introduce properties that might otherwise never become traditional LEGO themes. Rather than creating an entire range of Wallace & Gromit products, LEGO has chosen a single, highly recognisable scene that celebrates the characters and their distinctive visual style.
““It’s a great day for an adventure, isn’t it, Gromit?” Relax and immerse yourself in the world of Wallace & Gromit with this LEGO® Ideas building set (21371) for adults 18 years old and up. Create a detailed model of the famous duo riding their retro motobike, as seen in the award-winning film, Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave. Pose the pair in different ways, then give the motorbike a push to set the wheels in motion. This building kit is inspired by a Fan Designer’s idea, which was selected as the Grand Prize entry in the LEGO Ideas ’90s Throwback – the Next Chapter’ challenge. Full of iconic accessories, including crackers, a yarn ball and diamond in the motorbike seat hatch, the model makes delightful shelf decor in your home or office. Treat your dad, mom or any Wallace & Gromit merch collector with this creative gift idea. The LEGO Builder app enhances your creative experience with 3D digital instructions, progress tracking and zoom features. Set contains 1,038 pieces.
WALLACE & GROMIT GIFT – Create a nostalgic tribute to the inventive world of the beloved duo with this LEGO® Ideas building set (21371) for adults 18 years old and up
“WE’RE ON A ROLL, GROMIT” – Build the 2 posable figures on their vintage motorbike and sidecar and set the wheels turning to make a dynamic piece of shelf decor for your home or office
A CRACKING CHALLENGE – Enjoy a relaxing activity as you capture the duo’s characteristics, including Gromit’s goggles to magnify his eyes and lifting his hat straps as if flapping in the wind
ICONIC ACCESSORIES – Look out for fun Easter eggs referencing memorable storylines, including Wallace’s favorite crackers, a yarn ball and diamond in the motorbike seat hatch
RETRO GIFT IDEA FOR ADULTS – Treat yourself or another Wallace & Gromit fan to this charming building kit, a perfect gift for nostalgic ’90s kids, moms and dads
COLLECT YOUR BUILDS – Download the LEGO® Builder app, where you can save sets, track your progress, zoom in and rotate your set with 3D instructions
THE FANS’ CHOICE – Inspired by a fan designer’s product idea, voted for by fans and produced by the LEGO Group
DIMENSIONS – This 1,038-piece retro LEGO® display set measures over 9 in. (23 cm) high, 9 in. (23 cm) long and 7 in. (18 cm) wide”
Source: LEGO
