Review: LEGO 10298 Vespa 125

February 26, 2022 | 14

The LEGO 10298 Vespa 125 is officially my pick amongst the massive wave of 1 March 2022 LEGO releases.

This 2-wheeled scooter joins LEGO’s collection of Creator Expert vehicles, and catches the eye with its Light Royal Blue colour scheme.

An ode to the enduring Italian icon from Piaggio, the Vespa has captured the attention ever since its inception in 1946, to captivating new generations with its iconic design, and care-free Summer holiday vibes that it exudes.

Let’s jump straight into the review of the LEGO 10298 Vespa 125!

• 10298 Vespa 125 [US] – US$99.99
• 10298 Vespa 125 [AUS] – AU$169.99
• 10298 Vespa 125 [UK] – £89.99
• 10298 Vespa 125 [EU] – €99.99
• 10298 Vespa 125 [CA] – CAD$129.99

Not to be confused with the Mini Vespa , a pint-sized Red Vespa, which also goes on sale from 1 March 2022.

Special thanks to the LEGO Group for providing this set for review

1098 Vespa 125 – Set Details

Name: 10298 Vespa 125
Set Number: 10298
Pieces: 1,106
Price: AU$169.99 | US$99.99 | £89.99 – Buy from LEGO.com [AUS] [USA] [UK]
Exclusive to: LEGO.com / LEGO Stores
Theme: Creator Expert
LEGO Designer: Florian Müller
Release Date: 1 March 2022

Here’s a look at the sticker sheet – unfortunately, many stickers are in use here for the LEGO Vespa’s details.

Thankfully, most are easy to apply, but the ones that go over the curved panels are very tricky. The colour-matching is also done quite nicely.

I do wish we had one or two printed elements with the Vespa or Piaggio branding on them.

The instruction manual is packed with trivia, and an introduction to the Vespa 125. To celebrate its Italian heritage, the text throughout the manual also includes an Italian language section, which was a very nice touch, and really sets the tone.

There’s plenty of vintage and classic photos of the Vespa peppered throughout, an informative timeline and a short profile on the set’s designer – Florian Müller, whose most recent design was the LEGO Adidas Superstar.

LEGO Vespa Build Experience

The build was very enjoyable, and the set is truly deserving of its Creator Expert label. The numbered bags go up to 6, and bags 1-3 get you building the base of the Vespa, and the seats.

Building with so many Light Royal Blue elements was a delight as it’s not a LEGO colour that’s usually found in such abundance, and the relative rarity (thus far) does make it quite a novel experience.

Florian Müller has done an exceptional job with the build – there are some never-before seen techniques employed in the build which I really enjoyed discovering.

Vespas have a signature silhouette, defined by soft curves – something that isn’t easy to translate into LEGO. There is a very deep level of technical skill employed here by Florian to get the shape of the Vespa down pat.

New elements, such as these flatter, rounded corner slopes, and new curved plates were also fun to come across.

Here’s the completed model, and boy, is it a beauty. The first thing that grabs your attention is its baby blue (official name light royal blue) scheme, which gives it a very nostalgic warmth.

The Vespa 125 was launched in 1960, and the pastel blue tone was the only colour the 125 was available in when launched.

The second is the near-lack of studs. For fans of SNOT (studs not on top) building techniques, this is a dream set, adhering to the doctrine of SNOT in the most fanatic manner.

Here’s a look at the wheels – this is the first time in history that LEGO has done a two-colour wheel,, with the white outer wall on the black tyre.

These whitewall tyres were particular in vogue on automobiles in the early to mid-1900s, which is very classy (and clever) way to date the Vespa 125.

Above, you can also see the stand which has rubber nubs at the end, which are effective at giving it that added bit of stability.

To the left of the wheel are shock absorbers, which have just a bit of chrome to them.

Here’s a look at the handlebars, and large headlight – the handlebars are able to rotate 360°.

You can also see the stickered Piaggio badge, and stylised Vespa logo on the front.

Here’s a look at the Vespa’s spare wheel, in a dark blue cover, (there’s no wheel inside), and the brake pedal. I really like the black anti-slip strips that protrude from the floor.

The triangular black floor mat in the middle section is also the only part of the entire build with a dense collection of studs, which is wild.

Here’s the Vespa from the side, which allows you to really appreciate the soft curves throughout the body.

It looks deceptively simple, but the gentle slope down the back, and inverted slopes on the body, and bulbous cover over the engines at the back really showcase the three-dimensional depth of the Vespa.

Here’s a look at the seats, which are attached to the body via Technic axles, and also once again demonstrating more of that studless SNOT look. There’s a printed fuel cap nestled between the seats, which are in dark blue.

At the back is a small basket, and a bouquet of flowers cleverly clipped in firmly in place.

The Vespa’s licence plate at the back has a cool little Easter Egg – it has the words Roma (Rome, where the Vespa was first unveiled), and the dates 23 April 1946, the date Piaggio filed the patent for the Vespa.

Here’s a look at the bulbous engine covers – the right one pops off to reveal the small but punchy 124.45 cc engine. You can also see the kick-start lever emerging from it.

There’s one odd miss to me, out of the mostly sublime design. This is completely my preference, but I just do not like to see the undersides of LEGO exposed like this, and against the mostly SNOT backdrop, it does look quite odd from this view.

The helmet that comes with it is also a little odd – while I like the sentiment of it, the design just doesn’t have the sophistication and level of polish that the rest of the model has, and the goggles, or whatever those dark round circles are meant to represent just look goofy.

Very out of place, and while it fits thematically, the LEGO Vespa would be just fine without it. Plus, there’s no ideal place to rest or hang the helmet from.

LEGO Vespa Size Comparison

The Vespa’s size makes it the perfect ride for the LEGO constraction figures – seen here with Finn riding the Vespa.

I don’t have many LEGO or Technic bikes, but I do have the Creator Expert Harley Davidson still on display, so here’s a side by side.

They’re about the same size, which means the Vespa will look great next to it, but the relative scale is not accurate at all as the Harley is meant to be much larger.

And here it is next to another Italian automotive icon – the LEGO Fiat 500. I really should build my Blue 77942 Fiat 500, which is coincidentally the same shade as the Vespa, and would look great together.

The scale here is comical, with the Vespa dwarfing the Fiat!

What I liked:

• A really fun build full of ingenious building techniques
• SNOT perfection
• Rare light royal blue in abundance
• Looks awesome on display
• Price if you’re in the US

What I didn’t like: 

• The helmet is forgettable and doesn’t add much to the model
• Price everywhere else

Final Thoughts:

The LEGO 10298 Vespa 125 is nothing short of sublime. From the fitting choice to opt for Light Royal Blue as the colour scheme, you get to revel in the rare pastel shade that will no doubt make LEGO element and parts enthusiast very excited.

Florian Müller’s SNOT-work (studs not on top) is first class, and an absolute marvel to stare at and enjoy, with the studs being retained in very specific areas.

The model blends a highly technical approach, with an incredible level of aesthetic precision, with much reference paid to the Vespa’s signature curves and silhouette.

We’ve hardly scratched the surface of LEGO’s 2022 offering, but this model is an immediate favourite of mine, as it’s virtually flawless.

Sure, I could nitpick the helmet, but you can tell that the model’s design has been a labour of love, with so much consideration being put into the final product, and I also need to acknowledge the abundance of Light Royal Blue elements, which does add to the overall value of the set.

The price is quite all over the place – in the US, it’s an absolute bargain at US$99.99, but in the UK, Europe and Australia, it feels a tad bit too expensive, so hopefully there’ll be a decent sale for it or a nice GWP (if you’re on a budget).

I highly recommend the LEGO Vespa 125, and it’ll be a fine addition to any LEGO collection, especially if you have a deep appreciation for Creator Expert vehicles, or classic Italian style.

It pains me to end the review like this, but the LEGO Vespa 125 is a hoot on a scoot.

Rating and score: 4/5 ★★★★✰

Build [5] – Incredible fun, working with a rare colour and experiencing so many cool techniques
Real Value [4] – The rarity of Light Royal Blue, and all the new elements make this feel like great value
Innovation [5] – Superb techniques here, and some of the best SNOT-work I’ve ever seen
Coolness [4] – It oozes effortless Italian style and class, and evokes a much simpler time
Keepability [4] – As another addition to the Creator Expert collection, plus a rare colour, this is one you won’t disassemble and will be proud to display

Thanks for reading my review of 10298 Vespa 125, ahead of its release on 1 March 2022. It will be available from LEGO.com, or your local LEGO Store. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the Mini Vespa which also launches on the 1st of March, however you may want to wait till the 3rd of March 2022 to order to qualify for the Jane Goodall Tribute gift with purchase.

What do you think of the LEGO Vespa? Will you be adding this to your collection?

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Special thanks to the LEGO Group for providing this set for review