Another subscriber sent over their 42143 Ferrari Daytona SP3 build and I wanted to get these up. Three photos, a couple from different angles that show the finished car properly. The Daytona is one of the more satisfying builds in the library to look at when it’s done, and these 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 Ferrari produced as a tribute to the endurance racing Ferraris of the late 1960s and early 1970s. 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 accessible when the bodywork panels are removed. The suspension is independent all round, and the gearbox is a 6-speed sequential unit. It is a long build at 3,778 pieces, typically 8 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 panels are colour-coded with the red accent pieces 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.
The 42143 is now confirmed retiring in July 2026. If this set is on your list, it is worth picking it up from the library before it goes. Once LEGO retire a set the moulds are closed and 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, pick a kit, build it, send it back, and pick your next one. No boxes taking up space, no resale faff.