Another subscriber built the 42143 Ferrari Daytona SP3 and I wanted to get their notes up. This member did not send photos, so the pictures on this page are LEGO’s own images of the set. The Daytona is one of the more satisfying builds in the library to look at when it’s done, and LEGO’s shots make that clear.
Ferrari Daytona SP3
The 42143 is a 1:8 scale replica of the Ferrari Daytona SP3, one of the limited-run Icona series cars (599 were built), Ferrari’s tribute to its winning cars at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. The bodywork on the real car is the main event, and LEGO has done a reasonable job of capturing the long hood and the wide rear haunches at this scale.
Under the body there is a naturally aspirated V12 with moving pistons, the engine sits in a mid-rear position and is visible when the engine cover is opened. The suspension is independent all round, and the gearbox is an 8-speed sequential unit worked from a paddle shifter. It is a long build at 3,778 pieces, typically 6 to 10 hours across a couple of sessions.
What to expect when you build it
The first third of the build is all chassis and drivetrain. The V12 block is the most involved part and needs to go in before any of the surrounding structure. The gear selector mechanism runs up through the centre and the linkages have to be set right before the body panels close over them, so it is worth going slowly through that section.
The bodywork goes on in stages toward the end of the build. The red panels are printed rather than stickered and the fit is tight. This is a model that benefits from working in good light because there are some small clips that are easy to miss if the instructions are not followed in order.
The finished car is wide and low and looks right on a shelf. The Daytona SP3 silhouette reads immediately even in LEGO form.
LEGO retired the 42143 at the end of July 2026. If this set is on your list, the library is the easy way to build one now. Once LEGO retire a set, official availability ends.
This is exactly why I like putting member builds on the blog. The official images tell you what a kit is supposed to look like. Member photos show what it feels like once someone has actually sat down, opened the bags, and worked through it.
If you have just finished Ferrari Daytona SP3, send over a few photos. It does not need to be a full studio setup. A clean table, a finished build, and a few notes on what stood out are enough.
Build it without buying it
Brick Club is a LEGO Technic rental library. Pay a monthly subscription, build the kit we send, send it back, and the next one comes to you. No boxes taking up space, no resale faff.