- Mattel’s 1:16 Vantage GT3 kit comprises 793 pieces and costs around NZ$90.
- The model features working steering, opening doors and engine bay detail.
- Each box includes interchangeable wheels, aero add-ons and a 1:64 die-cast car.
You might not have space (or budget) for a real GT3 racer in the garage.
Mattel’s latest Hot Wheels Brick Shop release is a more achievable alternative: a 1:16-scale Aston Martin Vantage GT3 you build yourself for US$53.99 (around NZ$90).
The new kit adds a motorsport edge to Mattel’s growing brick-based line-up, offering a detailed replica of Aston Martin’s customer race car in 793 pieces. It’s aimed squarely at enthusiasts who enjoy the process as much as the finished product.
Built for the detail-obsessed
At 1:16 scale, the Vantage GT3 kit closely mirrors the proportions of the real car. Finished in a familiar green with lime-green accents on the grille and wing mirrors, it leans heavily into the race-ready look.
The set includes interchangeable wheel faces and additional aerodynamic elements for the front splitter, allowing builders to tweak the visual spec. Racing numbers and decals are also supplied to complete the track-day aesthetic.
Inside the box, there’s a bonus: a 1:64 die-cast Vantage GT3 model. It’s a neat touch and doubles as a reference while assembling the larger brick version.
Not just a static display
One of the common criticisms of brick-built cars is that they can look blocky. Mattel has addressed that here with curved pieces that better replicate the Vantage’s shape. The result is a model that feels less toy-like and more display-worthy.
Functionality hasn’t been ignored either. The kit features opening doors, working steering and visible detailing within the engine bay as small touches that elevate it beyond a simple shelf ornament.
“For racing and car fans, the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is pure bucket list material,” said Mattel’s Ted Wu. “With the Mattel Brick Shop Hot Wheels line, we are giving enthusiasts a new way to connect with the icon that is this Aston Martin model and bring it home as a highly detailed, customizable build that is made to be built, shown off, and admired.”
A more accessible GT3
The Vantage GT3 brick kit will be available from select global retailers, including Amazon, Target and Mattel Creations, from this summer. At its price it’s a far more attainable way to own something wearing a GT3 badge.
It won’t lap a circuit. It won’t make 400kW-plus like the real thing. But for what it's worth, it might be the easiest way to park an Aston Martin race car in your house, without upsetting the bank manager.
