Mellow

Have a look at http://www.lego.com/de-de/classic/seasonal-builds. There you can officially download the instructions in PDF-format.

As I promised, here are now the comparative measurements of Lego models vs. original cars. The measurements of the originals I´ve took from Wikipedia, the Lego models I measured myself (except the Beetle, of course). All measurements without attachments like mirrors or other accessory. VW Type 2 (T1)_____Lego VW T1 Camper_____Scale Length: 4290mm_____Length: 285mm_________1:15,05 --> 1:15 Width: 1800mm_____Width: 115mm_________1:15,65 --> 1:16 Height: 1940mm_____Height: 130mm_________1:14,92 --> 1:15 VW Type 1 (Beetle) Lego VW Beetle________Scale Length: 4140mm_____Length: 290mm *_______1:14,27 --> 1:14 Width: 1585mm_____Width: 120mm *_______1:13,21 --> 1:13 Height: 1500mm_____Height: No measurement without luggage rack known ___________________* measurement by Lego Mini Cooper________Lego Mini Cooper______Scale Length: 3054mm_____Length: 240mm_________1:12,72 --> 1:13 Width: 1410mm_____Width: 130mm_________1:15,65 --> 1:11 Height: 1384mm_____Height: 110mm_________1:12,58 --> 1:13 Ferrari F40________Lego Ferrari F40______Scale Length: 4358mm_____Length: 273mm_________1:15,96 --> 1:16 Width: 1970mm_____Width: 128mm_________1:15,39 --> 1:15 Height: 1124mm_____Height: 81mm_________1:13,87 --> 1:14 Yesterday I´ve took the length of a Mini Clubman by mistake, that builds a little bit longer than the Mini Cooper. That´s why I got a smaller scale that matched to the scale of the T1 Camper. In fact, The Lego Mini Cooper is really bigger than the T1 Camper. Sorry for that mistake. Also, today I did not took the measurements that Lego named for the T1 in their description, instead I measured it myself and got some little different measurements. So the scale reduced a little bit from 1:14 to 1:15

You can check it again, the length measurements from Lego compared to the original lengths (for exaple from Wikipedia) result in all three cases at nearly 1/14. On that photo the Mini Cooper really looks much wider than the T1 Camper, but in fact both models are rearly the same width (the Cooper is just a little bit wider due to the wheelhouses). I´ll check the other measurements (width, height) later to see which cars were not to scale at all...

I´ve compared the length of the Lego models with the lengths of the original cars. The original length of VW Type 2 (T1) is 4290 mm, the Lego VW T1 Camper is 300mm long. Scale: about 1/14 The original length of VW Type 1 (Beetle) is 4070 mm, the Lego VW Beetle is 290mm long. Scale: about 1/14 The original length of a Mini Cooper is 3401 mm, the Lego Mini Cooper is 250mm long. Scale: about 1/14 The original length of Ferrari F40 is 4358 mm, the Lego Ferrari F40 is 270mm long. Scale: about 1/16 So the Ferrari is a little bit bigger than the other cars, but Mini, T1 and Beetle are the same scale. P.S.: To complete the comparison: The original length of Porsche 911 GT3 (2015 Model) is 4545 mm, the Lego Porsche 911 GT3 RS is 570mm long. Scale: about 1/8

According to Lego the Beetle is from the "1960s", that usually means the decade between January 1960 and December 1969. The yellow plates with black 6-digit numbers were used from 1955 to 1963, so I think the Beetle is from the era between 1960 and 1963. Optional the Beetle can be equipped with licence plates from Queensland (Australia), Wolfsburg (Germany) or from Britain (no localization on that plates). Unfortunately it seems there´s not enough space at the back side for a two-lined licence plate, as they were used in Europe at the Beetle´s back until the end of it´s production. That´s dissappointing... Howsoever, I need to get some extra T1 wheels for my Beetle, I think they´re matching much better than those wide-base tires.

The wheels of the T1 Camper were as original as they could be. Compared to the real T1 Microbus their size (width and diameter) matched nearly perfect to the scale of the model We´re talking about cars that were built 60 years ago. In those times cars weren´t delivered with wide rims and tires as today.

Based on the information in the Lego store, the Beetle is nearly the same scale as the T1 Camper. In this case the wheels should be really the same size, because both cars were built with the same chassis, frame and wheels. I also think the wheels were much too wide, the tires of the original had only a width of 165mm (about 6,5"). If I compare the width of the original (1540mm) with the width of the Lego-model (120mm), a 165mm wide wheel (original) must be about 14mm in the model. That´s nearly perfectly the width of the T1 camper´s wheels. Also the diameter of the Camper´s wheel rims matched perfectly to the scale of the model, so I don´t unterstand why they use those wheels for the Beetle...

Alternatively you can also use the transparent cup / drinking glass (Item No: 2343) in the same way. Could look more discreet than that white collumn next to the Minifig. I Solved it this way: Using 4x4 plates in green, laying the ball between four studs. Its not really a save fixation for carrying the display case, but it´s better than nothing.

Five Euro per Minifig is okay when you consider that that the figures are not longer in production. I´ve seen higher prices, as they were still in production... If I only think about how much I had to pay to get a complete set of Olympics 2012... And that were only nine minifigs... Based on the prices that were paid on Ebay, you can get a complete set for about 100 Euro, which is about 6,25 Euro per figure, excluding shipping charges. But I think the prices will rise much higher as soon they´re getting more rare on Ebay.

But there´s even the gap for the minifig´s head on it...

Is that one of the old Lego City car roof tops used under the front hood? Didn´t knew that that part is still produced...

I´m just glad that it isn´t a lowered and pimped beetle or a Herbie-version as it was discussed a few pages ago. I need more space in my shelf...

Another word, the same meaning. And as I said, I will not convict anyone for anything. All I wanted to say is that there are different ways to use and collect the CMF. Some prefer unique parts on unique minifigs, others prefer more common parts that can be used better in MOCs. It´s impossible to please it to everyone...

I think, that´s the difference between those who collect the CMF as a collector's item, and those who see the CMF just as cheap spare part spenders for other purposes. For me as a collector, I´m happy about every minifig-part that is customized somehow to build a unique minifigure. A big blue jewel printed on a torso or another part is not disruptive to me, because I only need one of it to complete my collection. Don´t get me wrong, I will not dictate to anyone how to use the minifigs (or parts of them) of the CMF, but I think the primary intention of the Collectable Minifigures is to collect and share them to get a complete set of them, comparable to trading-cards, stamps or other things that are worth to collect. Therefore I welcome it if future minifigs are kept as unique as possible, even if it would mean that the minifigs were completely useless for other purposes.

I don´t think those holes have ever been a very effective protection against choking. If the head is swallowed sidewise, there´s also no way left for air circulation. The human body has a wonderful function, he starts to cough while throbbing between the bladebones. Swallowed parts will be carried out in most times by this way, but I don´t think this works very good when the air can stream through the swallowed part. In the other way, there are so many swallowable Lego-parts in comparable sizes without any holes in it. If that head-holes were really designed to counteract choking, they were not very consequent in doing that... The most cases of choking on infant is caused by food parts, not by swallowed toys.

Hoped a little bit for a removable solution with original Lego-parts. The size of the hole in the balls is to small for regular Lego-sticks, but matches to the smaller pins of head accessories like hat feathers or flowers in hair. Does anybody know a good counterpart, that can also be mounted to regular Lego-pieces??

I´ve finally managed it to get all of them. Together with two other collectors we only had five double Figures to get three complete sets, that was luck! Has somebody a good idea how to fix the balls for showing in a display case?

I just had a closer look to my collection, and I can tell you, my Series 6 Sleepyhead has no Lego-prints under it´s feet, too. The same is also valid for all my Minifigs from Series 1 to 11. The first Simpsons-Series and Series 12 are the first of my Minifigs with that Lego-print under their feet. Some of my Series 12 Minifigs even have just one foot (the left) with that Lego-print, so I think they changed the molds in that time. As Alfadas told, there are different heads in circulation. The head of my Sleepyhead has an open knob with three bars in it, that reminds a little bit of the Mercedes-Star. Older heads are completely closed with a Lego-print on it´s knob. On newer heads the knobs are inverted and closed, with a Lego-Print inside.

1. Fireman The prints of the firemen in the actual series come very close to real firemen´s wear. But I think it´s time for a new helmet, glow in the dark with a black neck protection, and without that bulge on its top. A new respirator with an single-bottle air tank (ventile down) would be great. The base color of the fireman could look better in dark blue instead of usual black, maybe with orange shoulder flaps and black boots. 2. Beekeeper A Guy with a big hat with a net curtain and a bee hive. Could look great next to Series 10 Bumblebee Girl. 3. Stereotyped idea of a sports fan Wearing a colorful sport dress (although he would never move more then necessary). The jacket of his sport dress is open, showing a white fine rip undershirt with blurs of mustard and the bulge of a beer belly. A haircut similar to Series 15 Wrestling Champion, maybe a bottle of beer and a potato chip bag. 4. Emergency Doctor White pants, orange jacket with silver stripes. Wearing something emergency equipment, like a defibrillator or something like that. 5. Bathing Guy A Guy wearing only a towel around his hips (similar to textile skirts used for other figures). Using white (or partly transparent) clown´s hair to simulate the foam of washing hair. Maybe using a brush, a piece of soap or a little rubberduck. 6. Invisible Guy Wearing a big hat and a trenchcoat made of textile (similar to Series 9 Judge) and/or a textile cape. Under that a completely transparent minifig. Maybe a transparent head with bandage prints with big empty eye-holes. 7. Greek Philosopher Clothed in a white toga, wearing sandals, a laurel wreath and a white full beard. A scroll in his hands would be great. 8. German Policeman Dark green trousers, a beige button-up shirt with short arms, and a dark green police cap. Combined with the typical mustache of a german policeman (like Thomas Magnum). These colors were used in germany from the 1970ies until the first years of the new century before they changed to a dark blue european style. It looked awful, like dressed by a blind, but it would be a good supplement to the row of existing policeman minifigs. 9. Pregnant Woman Since we´ve got oficially baby-minifigs, who never asked about how they were made? A woman with a pregnant belly, maybe made as a seperate part like the tails of other figures (but used in the front, similar to Ursula´s belly of Disney Series). 10. Bikini Beach Girl It´s time for a two-parted bathing suit, maybe also wearing a beach-skirt. Could come with a beachball or a badminton racket. 11. Golf Player Knickerbockers, checkered slipover, and that cap used for Series 2 Mime. And of course a golf club. 12. Missing Castaway Ripped clothes, unkempt hair and beard. Talking with a coconut, which has painted a face on it. Is always so happy, when we drive by with our ship. 13. Bottle Suit Guy Similar to Series 13 Hot Dog Guy, but dressed like a green bottle of wine. 14. Adventure Hero The hero of all heroes, dressed in green with lime pants, wearing a shield and the holy sword. No, I wont tell names that could give you a link to some licenced video game hero. 15. Blacksmith Muscular with a leather apron. Comes with a big hammer and a gripper to hold a red glowing piece of metal. A little bit like Fulliautomatix from the Asterix comics. 16. Female Chopper Driver Torn jeans, leather vest, head cloth and wild hair, shiny sunglasses. A little bit a female version of Series 10 Motorcycle Mechanic.

In the german homepage of the Lego shop the DFB-minifigs were listed as Sold Out! I haven´t thought it would happen so fast...

The description on this page sais, that the contingent is exhausted, and a preordering is not possible anymore.

It is far away from "plain and simple"... The splitted rear window has only been built until 1953, before all following beetles were built with a bigger single rear window. Many details were changed over the years, some of them obvious, other only at a closer look. Between he first beetles built in 1945/46 and the last ones from 2003 are only a few commonalities left. Many parts of the beetles built after 1967 won´t match on a beetle from before. Your pictures are great examples for how it better has NOT be done. Just have a look at those two beetles: How many differences can you find?

If the new set is built in another size (for example in compareable scale to T1 Camper) or in another style (for example in Technic-style like the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS), I don´t think the value of the old set (10187) will drop too much. But in the other way, if you have a look at what prices were paid for unopened boxes of 10187 (or other exclusively sets), I´m not sure how many of them were just bought for reselling with profit on eBay... In this case the remake of such sets would be a clever move to stop (or at least to curtail) those profit-oriented eBay-sales.

I´ve read, the soccer series will be limitated to 2.2 million minifigs. Assumed to 60 figures in each box, there will be only 36,666 boxes available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I guess this time it will get really hard to get a complete set, especially since it´s impossible to feel the content of the blindbags...

@ P3_Super_Bee: Please read my statement again. I wrote about a Beetle with splitted rear windows, those by fans so-called "Pretzel-Beetles" are really, really rare to find. Real fans pay fancy prices for such a car, and this makes that car comparable with my other examples.