LEGO Ideas 21371 Wallace & Gromit - Motorbike Motion and A Close Shave Display
LEGO Ideas 21371 Wallace & Gromit brings the clay-animation duo into brick form with a 1,038-piece model inspired by the motorbike sequence in Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave. Arriving on 1 October for builders aged 18 and over, the set places both characters on a retro motorbike, lets them take different poses and turns the wheels when the vehicle is pushed. It is a character display with genuine movement rather than a static portrait, and its small story props give fans several ways to arrange the scene without losing the instantly recognisable pairing at its centre.
LEGO Ideas 21371 Wallace & Gromit Quick Facts
| Set number | 21371 |
|---|---|
| Name | Wallace & Gromit |
| Theme | LEGO Ideas |
| Pieces | 1,038 pieces |
| Age | 18+ |
| Release date | 1 October |
| Main build | Wallace and Gromit riding a retro motorbike |
| Main functions | Poseable characters and rolling motorbike wheels |
Why the Motorbike Makes This More Than a Character Statue
Wallace and Gromit are defined as much by expression and physical comedy as by dialogue, so a vehicle scene is a smart way to represent them. The bike creates a strong forward line while the sidecar keeps Gromit beside his enthusiastic inventor companion. Even without a larger film backdrop, their seating positions establish a complete moment: Wallace drives, Gromit rides alongside, and the pair appear ready to roll into another carefully planned mishap.
The project also carries an unusual LEGO Ideas history. Its original fan design won the Grand Prize in the LEGO Ideas “'90s Throwback – the Next Chapter” challenge. That origin fits the finished subject especially well. The model is rooted in a specific 1990s screen appearance, yet the vehicle format turns nostalgia into a build that can be repositioned and enjoyed from several angles.
Main Build Details: Two Characters, One Retro Machine
The central challenge is integrating two large brick-built personalities with a motorbike that still reads as a coherent vehicle. Wallace and Gromit can be posed in different ways, giving their familiar contrast room to come through: Wallace's energy can lead the composition while Gromit's quieter reaction changes the mood beside him. Pushing the bike sets its wheels in motion, a modest but fitting feature for a display based on a chase sequence.
Smaller accessories extend the film storytelling without competing with the main silhouette. Crackers and a ball of wool reference the pair's everyday world, while a diamond is concealed in the motorbike seat hatch. That hidden compartment rewards a closer look and gives the model a second layer beyond the broad character likenesses. The result can work as a clean vehicle display from a distance and as a collection of comic details at desk level.
Builder's Perspective: Balancing Expression with Rolling Motion
Brick-built characters demand careful shaping because a slight change to an eyebrow, mouth or head angle can alter the whole expression. Here, posing is particularly valuable: it lets builders tune the interaction between Wallace and Gromit instead of accepting one fixed camera-like view. The side-by-side arrangement also creates an interesting asymmetrical footprint, with the sidecar adding width and visual weight to one side of the motorbike.
The rolling function introduces a different design consideration. A character sculpture can rely on a decorative base, but a pushable vehicle needs its wheels clear and its riders secured. For custom work, builders could experiment with alternate hand positions, a separate road plinth or subtle supports that preserve the impression of movement. The seat hatch is another useful idea to borrow for MOCs: a concealed compartment can carry a story clue without cluttering the visible surface.
Display and MOC Ideas for an A Close Shave Scene
Build a road scene with a dashed centre line to give the bike direction while keeping the original model intact. A low sidewalk, a street corner with a lamppost and warm lighting would create a compact urban vignette; a sloped country lane offers a faster-looking alternative. A muted photographic backdrop could echo the handmade character of the films without surrounding the pair with too much scenery.
For a prop-focused shelf, place the crackers, wool and diamond on tiny labelled plinths beside the vehicle, turning the accessories into story beats. Builders who prefer a workshop setting could create a small garage bay with a tool rack, spare parts and a hinged door sized around the bike. A final option is a two-position chase display: one stand for a straight travelling pose and another angled base for a sharper action composition. These additions support the film moment while leaving Wallace, Gromit and their machine as the unmistakable focus.
Final Thoughts: A Duo Designed to Move Together
This set is at its strongest as a kinetic character portrait. The motorbike gives the two figures a shared purpose, the different poses preserve their contrasting personalities, and the concealed diamond adds exactly the kind of quiet visual joke that suits their world. Fans of A Close Shave receive a specific screen-inspired centrepiece, while character builders get an appealing study in expression, balance and vehicle integration. It should be especially satisfying on a shelf where the bike's direction and Gromit's reaction can be seen together.
FAQ
When is LEGO Ideas 21371 Wallace & Gromit released?
The set is scheduled for release on 1 October.
Which Wallace & Gromit film inspired the model?
The motorbike scene is inspired by the award-winning film Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave.
Does the motorbike move?
Yes. Pushing the motorbike sets its wheels in motion, and Wallace and Gromit can also be posed in different ways.
What accessories are included?
Confirmed accessories include crackers, a ball of wool and a diamond hidden in the motorbike seat hatch.
