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I picked up the new Creator Big Rig 4955 a few days ago. Here is a review and comparison with the classic from 1986: 5580 Model Team Highway Rig.
(Click the small pictures to enlarge)
The box
A nice big box with a computer generated picture just like on most other Creator sets. Remark the wheel in front is not turning.
What you get
Two instructions booklets, one with the main model and one for the secondary ones. There are 550 pieces and the primary model weights 519 grams (vs. 1 book of instructions, 637 pieces and 645g. for 5580)
The built
The Creator truck is built incrementally. The only larger sub-models are the doors, engine and engine cover. The old Model Team truck is more focused on sub-models. You begin with the frame and add everything in big parts.
All the pieces on the table:
There is plenty of space inside the frame of the Creator truck for modifications like motorization and a functional steering mechanism.
Both trucks have very realistic looking engines with flywheels, cylinders and greeble.
The engine compartments and doors can open on both trucks. The steering wheel on both can be changed to the opposite side right side if you prefer so.
The finished models
The Creator truck has a more agressive stance with its wide body (14 studs) and low cab. The windscreen is made of two 2x6x2 basic windscreens. It is hard to make a taller truck and still keep the proportions right with this setup. The 10x3x3 windscreen of the Model Team truck makes it easier to get more realistic proportions.
The coupling on the Creator truck is huge, but is mounted using a couple of 1x1 connector pieces, so it doesn't hold very well. This makes it less attractive to build a matching trailer. To make a trailer for 5580 was such an obvious modification that you will find several examples on BrickShelf.
As mentioned before. The engines of these trucks are really great looking. A huge improvement for Creator since Roaring Roadsters (4896)
Conclusions
Playability
- 4955: 3. The doors and engine cover open up. Apart from that there really isn't much. The lack of steering mechanism makes Creator Cool Cars 4939 a better choice for the same functionality.
- 5580: 7. It can do the same as the Creator truck, but the working steering mechanism simply makes it much more fun to play with. The moving rear axles makes it fun to drive over obstacles as well.
Price
- 4955: 10. The price for this trucks makes it into an absolute bargain
- 5580: 5. You got plenty of bricks for the money back then, but it was one of the more expensive sets.
Built
- 4955: 6. It takes a very short time to build, but there isn't much into it.
- 5580: 8. I prefer the modular built of this truck over the incremental one of the other. It is simply more fun to build the sub-models and set them onto the frame afterwards.
Looks
- 4955: 7. I like the looks of it, including inside the cab and engine compartment. The exhaust pipes are smart, but the over sized coupling and lack of side- and rear windows pulls the score down. The wheels are all with the wrong side out.
- 5580: 10. This model is the father of all my Model Team MOCs. The realistic looks inside out is simply perfect.
Secondary Models
- 4955: 9. Just like most other Creator sets, the secondary models are great. The American looking car and Go-card are both good looking and ideas that improve inspiration.
- 5580: 3. The off-roader needs some bricks that aren't in the primary model and the trailer looks like a poor excuse for using the spare bricks. It might go well together with 5510, but is really nothing special.
Modifiability
- 4955: 7. The model begs for a working steering mechanism, but the short front and wide wheels makes this modification hard without making larger changes to the truck. It is easy to put a motor between the rear wheels for propulsion.
- 5580: 7. It is easy to make a different interior, a larger engine or even a trailer for this set. 5590 shows how to build a trailer and a search on BrickShelf will give you many ideas for modifications.
Final Verdict
The Creator truck is a real bargain. It might not live up to the old Model Team trucks and the lack of steering is a major letdown, but you get a good looking truck with some awesome secondary models for the money and I can highly recommend it for this.
BrickShelf gallery
