Technic Color Selection over the years

[DrJB]

Call it an effort in minimizing costs (as every company ought to do), but it 'appears' that in the past, when technic parts were introduced, they were available in many colors, be it pins, gears, or even some connectors. Now somehow, many parts exist in one single color only. While this makes 'sorting' easy and keeps TLG's inventory under control, it sure offers limited possibilities for MOCs and those aggressively engaged in serious 'styling'.

Any chance/plan for TLG to re-introduce a wider color selection for the Technic parts or does this go against any business 'sense'?

[5imon]

Yes, sometimes it's a pity that certain pieces are only available in a few black or grey shades. Even worse, some are exclusively tan or blue which makes them stick out on every model.

However, I've resolved to see this more as a challenge than as a limitation. Sometimes I have to build something a bit differently in order to fit my colour scheme, but it might also lead to a new, unexpected solution.

Furthermore, I have started collecting pieces in special colours so I can use them in critical places. In order not to stretch my budget too much, I limit myself to a few "favourite" colours, namely orange, white and dark bluish grey. Since the special coloured parts are often older ones (as DrJB mentioned, the colour variety was much bigger around 2000 - and almost led to Lego's financial desaster), many of the newer molds don't benefit from my Bricklink shopping. At least, there are now som interesting parts released or re-released in orange...

[Blakbird]

Gears, axles, and pins have been generally available in only a single color from the very beginning. Friction pins have always been black, axles were always black, etc. There were a few rare exceptions for things like Star Wars or Bionicle. The "color coding" whereby 3L pins became blue or odd length axles became light gray, for example, started later to make it easier to distinguish parts. In most cases, these types of parts are not particularly visible anyway so the change is welcome, but there are exceptions. So I wouldn't say this is really new.

However, other parts seem to have limited color selection recently. For example, when the numbered angle connectors first came out, they were available in a wide range of colors. However, recently the #3 red connector has become rare even though it is still a common part in other colors.

Most of the wide color selection was circa 2004 when LEGO almost went out of business. One of the core concepts of their return to profitability was reducing the number of available "elements" by more than half. Given the business history and the fact that the company is more interested in making models easy to build for kids than looking good, I don't think we are going to see any return to the old strategy.

Although I don't see any chance of a wholesale change in strategy, there is ample anecdotal evidence that TLG is aware of the parts needs of AFOLs and of part rarity on the secondary market. It would appear that certain parts have been included in recent sets with us in mind. While the number of such parts has been and will be small, I think they are listening and are accommodating to the extent possible.

Note to TLG: We want 19L black flex axles and red #3 connectors!

[N-4K0]

I wouldn't say it was difficult enough to separate axles in different lengths to need different colors. But I do welcome the color coding TLG use nowadays.

[Richard Dower]

I have started collecting Technic parts in rare colours....there are quite a few unique colours available, these mostly stem from non Technic sets such as Bionicle or Racers sets....but they are still Techic pieces. I recently bought 8434 BNIB and i LOVE Pearl Dark Grey!.....so i am gonna try get every part ever made in that colour :-)

[DrJB]

I agree about 8434, in fact I just finished assembling it (about 30 minds ago). It was a bit difficult to distinguish pearl dark gray from black, in the early pages of the instructions, but yes, it's a welcome 'addition'.

To Blakbird's point, yes most gears were introduced primarily in gray in the Technic sets, but for example the old large gears are available in a range of colors. I would rather have a limited color palette than see Lego go out of business but at the same, in the Bionicle theme (moreso than in Technic), there were SEVERAL parts released to a single unique set only. Maybe this was a way to promote sales, but at the same time, which is costlier, more colors or expensive molds? I guess the 'profitability' formula is rather complex ...

Picture below is from a current eBay auction (red is missing). I agree all such colors are NOT necessary, but for outer elements (for styling), more colors would definitely be desirable.

Edited December 23, 2014 by DrJB

[Richard Dower]

Ha!...8434 is the *only* Technuc set to have #3648 in Red: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=3648&colorID=5&in=A

It has other unique parts/colours as well....i got it for €70!

I recently got part # 3647 in black and white.

While these colours variation might not be nesscary per se, if you are looking to mod or have a model look a certain way with certain colours then its nice to have these parts.

[5imon]

Yes, #8434 is a very interesting set for special colours! I've considered buying it for several times. Instead I recently bought #8473 "Nitro Race Team". I don't remember the price, but for the rare orange liftarms and black axle pins alone I'd have paid more. Plus I got orange and pearl dark grey panels and a very nice selection of older style wheels.

[Blakbird]

To Blakbird's point, yes most gears were introduced primarily in gray in the Technic sets, but for example the old large gears are available in a range of colors. I would rather have a limited color palette than see Lego go out of business but at the same, in the Bionicle theme (moreso than in Technic), there were SEVERAL parts released to a single unique set only. Maybe this was a way to promote sales, but at the same time, which is costlier, more colors or expensive molds? I guess the 'profitability' formula is rather complex ...

Right, I acknowledged that gears came in other colors, however in the vast majority of cases those were not in Technic sets but in "other sets" which used some Technic parts. Also, if you do some research on those colored gears, you'll find that most of them existed in that same 2004 time frame only.

These days, Technic parts in unusual colors seem to only exist in high volume themes. It would appear that not enough Technic sets are sold to justify a white gear, but a Star Wars set on the other hand seems to be allocated many more new color options.

I'd be willing to bet that Technic designers are allowed to use strange colors from other themes if those parts have already been introduced and are therefore in the current catalog, but are not allowed to introduce new part colors themselves. I'm sure there are people whose sole job is to run the business case numbers for such trades.

[1974]

I'm sure there are people whose sole job is to run the business case numbers for such trades.

Yup, many more beancounters than designers. It's also interesting that the colour largest variety of Technic parts was in the pre coloured plastic period. I'm not sure if it's a dye (economical) issue today or simply storage/logistics, but it must mean that Technic simply does not sell enough to warrent the re-introduction of that red #3

Fascinating problems you modern folks have. Here everything is (old) light grey, just as it should be