Building the 21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1

[jaisonline]

This thread will be like my previous builds (links below).
 

Intro :
While my last building post was a poll about which set to build next, I couldn't help myself.  I wanted / needed to build the Lego Ideas 21108 Ghostbusters set.  While I'm a bigger fan of Back to the Future films, I did watch Ghostbusters in a theater w/ my father and enjoyed .  ...I'm also not going to surprise anyone by publicly stating 21108's design is far better looking than 21103's DeLorean.  When the Ghostbusters set arrived, I immediately wanted to open it while my 21103 DeLorean sets are collecting dust still sealed.
 
I'll will walk through the building process, take pics, discuss various topics like elements used / how, and provide a recap.  There are 58 steps with many of them having multiple steps.

 

Bricklink's element inventory of this set pending approval.

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=21108-1

This set comes with 6 bags.  Since many others have already written details about the box and manual, I'll skip that here and suggest checking out tormentalous' review at http://www.thebrickfan.com/lego-ideas-ghostbusters-ecto-1-21108-review/ which has many pictures. 

note:  I am using the PDF version of the manual and find it difficult for viewing.  The page quality is "so so" when zooming past 75% and the book's black background doesn't provide enough contrast.

 

 

Getting ready for the build.

 

 

 

View of the minifigure stand w/ only 1 side complete.

 

 

Front and rear views of the minifigures while on the stand.  With the proton-backs on, the minifigures tend to flip the stand backwards unless each fig's torso is titled forward. Excellent use of elements here (the rare 1x1 round dark red stud w/ a hole, black lightsaber hilts, whips, and the round 2x2 rounded bottom printed plate).

 

 

 

Picture of Ecto-1 after completing step 10.

 

 

Previous build threads.

7780: The Batboat: Hunt for Killer Croc :

http://www.brickpick...-croc-batman-1/

7782 The Batwing: The Joker's Aerial Assault :

http://www.brickpick...arison-to-6863/

 

7786: The Batcopter: The Chase for Scarecrow :

 

http://www.brickpick...-for-scarecrow/

 

10123: Star Wars Cloud City :

 

http://www.brickpick...ars-cloud-city/

 

10173: Holiday Train :

http://www.brickpick...-holiday-train/

 

10179 UCS Millennium Falcon :

 

http://www.brickpick...lennium-falcon/

 

10226 Sopwith Camel :

 

http://www.brickpick...-sopwith-camel/

 

10181 Eiffel Tower :

 

http://www.brickpick...l-tower-advice/

 

10194 Emerald Night train :

 

http://www.brickpick...-emerald-night/

 

10196  Grand Carousel  :

http://community.brickpicker.com/topic/13647-building-10196-grand-carousel/

 

10225 UCS R2D2 :

http://www.brickpick...0225-ucs-r2-d2/

 

75059 UCS Sandcrawler :

 

http://www.brickpick...59-sandcrawler/

 

21021 Architecture Marina Bay Sands

http://www.brickpick...rina-bay-sands/

 

21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 :

http://www.brickpick...busters-ecto-1/

[jjsrt8]

It was an awesome build and looked so much better in person then on the package or in picutres I'm impressed. Stil la few things I'm gona change/add and I'm adding lights and sound.

[jaisonline]

Step 20 of 58 complete.

Some nice elements so far especially the 4 1x1 silver / chrome cheese slopes and the printed bricks.

Nice to also see the SNOT design approach forming on the sides.

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[naf]

I really enjoyed this model.  I'm not among the DeLorean haters, I think it could have been better but overall I like it.  However, the Ecto-1 really does blow it out of the water.  Lego did a really nice job with it.  My only complaint is that I wish it was a bit wider so that 2 minifigs could be seated next to each other in the front.

[jaisonline]

Step 30 completed.

Rear :

Front:

Undercarriage:

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[jaisonline]

Step 40 done

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[jaisonline]

Step 51 of 58 is now complete.

 

Progress made on the passenger side. Similar to the driver's side with the exception of the hose clips and antenna holder.

 

 

bumper, red light, and fin elements added to the rear.  if you look closely in the picture below and my prev post, the steering wheel is moved to the left side by 1 stud (instead of the center as shown in the instructions).  I know the minifigure can't sit directly behind it but the look is better.

 

[jaisonline]

step 55 of 58 complete.

 

before beginning the roof, i wanted to show the "white wall" inspired tires / wheels and angled side windows.  wow. what a great design and use of elements for these sections.

[jaisonline]

Build complete.

 

Will post a summary later.

 

 

 

Incomplete roof.

 

 

Completed set pictures.

 

[Jeff Mack]

Great job on the review. Now that I see how you built yours, I don't have to open any of my boxes!

[Guest TabbyBoy]

Sod it... you've just made me spend my

[jaisonline]

Sod it... you've just made me spend my

[comicblast]

Very cool, and nice pictures to accompany the review! 

 

You mentioned chrome 1x1 cheese slopes, but I actually thought that LEGO stopped making chrome pieces a while ago, and the chrome-like pieces they have now are just a bit glittery/reflective or something. Can anyone verify? The chrome pieces in the pictures don't look quite like the older chrome pieces, ie. Jedi lightsaber handles.

[TheOrcKing]

I miss whitewall tires on cars. They were just so 'classy' and stood out compared to the plain black ones we all use now on the same dull color of asphalt. Anyway, nice review once again, jaisonline.

You mentioned chrome 1x1 cheese slopes, but I actually thought that LEGO stopped making chrome pieces a while ago, and the chrome-like pieces they have now are just a bit glittery/reflective or something. Can anyone verify? The chrome pieces in the pictures don't look quite like the older chrome pieces, ie. Jedi lightsaber handles.

I think the color used now is called something like "metallic silver".

[jaisonline]

Very cool, and nice pictures to accompany the review!

You mentioned chrome 1x1 cheese slopes, but I actually thought that LEGO stopped making chrome pieces a while ago, and the chrome-like pieces they have now are just a bit glittery/reflective or something. Can anyone verify? The chrome pieces in the pictures don't look quite like the older chrome pieces, ie. Jedi lightsaber handles.

Same exact matte silver / chome color elements as used on the nose / engine of the 10226 Sopwith Camel.

[Stevenplays]

Very cool, and nice pictures to accompany the review!

You mentioned chrome 1x1 cheese slopes, but I actually thought that LEGO stopped making chrome pieces a while ago, and the chrome-like pieces they have now are just a bit glittery/reflective or something. Can anyone verify? The chrome pieces in the pictures don't look quite like the older chrome pieces, ie. Jedi lightsaber handles.

They aren't true chrome like from the early 2000s, but it is basically a normal piece with chrome painted on, I don't think it is really molded into the plastic, but I could be wrong.

[jaisonline]

The silver / chrome color elements are painted on a cream colored brick. I just was able to scratched a tad off the inside of an extra 1x1 round element from the Ghostbuster set.

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[jaisonline]

Here are the 24 extra elements. More than what I was expecting.

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[exciter1]

I dig the little minifig display stand.

[Quacs]

I dig the little minifig display stand.

That's what really stood out to me about this set as well. Really turns it from a Lego set into a true collectible.

[TheOrcKing]

"I ain't afraid of no ghost!"

[jaisonline]

Here are the 24 extra elements. More than what I was expecting.

 

 

 

i missed one white 1x1 round element. 23 total extra elements..

[jaisonline]

Here are pictures of the 4 minifigures with the custom printed logo on OEM Lego arms with hands.

Looks most excellent, huh?

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[LeGod]

Okay, is this a good investment?

[Mos_Eisley]

What's the production date code? Your pictures and opinions are nice and all but what I really need is that code to make an accurate buying decision.