Lego Ideas “Ghostbusters” ECTO-1 Set

Lego Ideas “Ghostbusters” set.

This past May, Lego changed the name of their Cussoo program to “Lego Ideas“.  Although the name changed, the program is largely the same – designers and fans can upload their own creations which, maybe, will become an actual Lego product.  Lego’s approval process is lengthy and rigorous, and only about one submission per year makes it through to become an actual Lego kit.  One of the recent winners was the very cool DeLorean from Back To The Future.  This time around, it’s the latest Lego Idea release, the ECTO-1 from Ghostbusters¹.

Lego Ghostbusters box, front

Lego Ghostbusters box, back

Lego Ghostbusters, inside the box

One of my favorite things about these Lego Cuusoo/Ideas sets is high level of quality throughout the kit.  For $45-50, the Lego Ghostbusters set’s box is made of thicker and higher-grade cardboard.  The instruction manual is bound, paperback-style, rather than stapled.  The paper-stock is a bit thicker and glossier.  It is a top-notch set through-and-through.

The manual for the Lego Ghostbusters set

The Lego Ghostbusters ECTO-1 set is medium difficulty.  508 pieces will keep you entertained for an evening.  I was able to finish mine off during the Sunday Night Football game.  Speaking of which, a shout-out to Amazon for delivering this on a Sunday, as part of their Sunday Delivery program under Prime.  Unlike most Lego kits these-days, this set is not broken-down with “Step 1” pieces all in a “Step 1” bag.  It is old-school…  pour the pieces out on a table, sort, then build.

“Back off man, I’m a scientist.”

“Why worry? Each of us is walking around with an unlicensed nuclear accelerator strapped to his back.”

Step 1 in the build is the minifigs for each of the Ghostbusters.  The level of detail is nice on the Proton Packs, and the characters themselves.  I especially love the attention paid to Egon’s and Venkman’s hair styles.  The stand is a nice touch, reminding me of the one including in the Lego R2-D2 set.  Step 2 through the finish, is building the ECTO-1.

The frame and basic interior for the ECTO-1.

Similar to the BTTF DeLorean set, the Lego ECTO-1 is built-up from lots and lots of little parts.  While I found the DeLorean to be a pretty fragile model, the ECTO feels far more substantial, despite being only slightly larger – 8 inches long, compared to 6 for the DeLorean.  In fairness to the DeLorean, it does have the working gull-wing doors.  The ECTO-1 interesting feature is the grabbers in the photo below are for holding the side-window assembly in place, at a slight angle.

The ECTO is starting to take shape now.

For such a small Lego kit, the ECTO-1 does a good job of reproducing the lines of a 1959 Cadillac ambulance, including the fins, fender-skirts, and hood.  The Ghostbusters logos are actually printed on the pieces.  In fact, all of the pieces that normally need stickers – license plates, monitors/screens, control panels, etc, are printed-on in this set.  Again, the level of quality and detail in this set is amazing considering its price.

Ready to bust some ghosts.

“As a duly designated representative of the City, County and State of New York, I order you to cease any and all supernatural activity and return forthwith to your place of origin or to the nearest convenient parallel dimension.”

“You have been a participant in the biggest interdimensional cross rip since the Tunguska blast of 1909!”

“Wow. This place is great. When can we move in? You gotta try this pole. I’m gonna get my stuff. Hey. We should stay here. Tonight. Sleep here. You know, to try it out.”

All of the chrome bits are molded in a sliver’ish plastic.

This new Lego Ghostbusters kit continues the traditional of quality and excellence of their Cuusoo line, and now the Lego Ideas line.  From the stickerless design, to the rubber wires and hoses, and the unusual colored pieces – the brown for the interior, and chrome for the bumpers, grill and trim.  The entire set just oozes attention-to-detail and respect for the subject-matter.  The real kicker is these Cuusoo/Ideas sets are really reasonably priced, even cheap by Lego price standards.  I was able to pick up the BTTF DeLorean for about$35-40.  $45-50 bucks, for a 508 piece licenses set, this ECTO-1 kit is highly recommended for Lego and Ghostbusters fans.  The only downside is, no Slimer.  And Winston even has a trap, ready to go.

Pros:

• High quality set, from the box through the instructions.
• Reasonably priced for a 500+ piece Lego set with a movie license.
• Nice attention-to-detail throughout the set.

Cons:

• Comes without any minifig ghosts to bust.

Verdict = Recommended.

Rear-end of the ECTO-1.

Left-front of the ECTO-1.

“Who you gonna call?”