How things have grown in 20 years...

[rriggs]

Took these photos today. Thought it made an interesting comparison:

The minifig on the left looks much fresher-faced than the other even though he's 20 years older!

You can see the difference in the colour of the old vs new yellow bricks in this one

Cheers

Rog

Edited February 15, 2009 by rriggs

[Pencoin]

intresting comparison, but what was the aim of this?

[Karto]

intresting comparison, but what was the aim of this?

to make a comparison.

[rriggs]

I was going to do some more comparisons of new and old but maybe I shouldn't bother if I don't have a specific aim......

Cheers

Rog

Edited June 29, 2008 by rriggs

[BerndDasBrot]

well, I really liked it.

maybe you must be older than "20 years" to understand the aim of this comparison...

and please make some more, because I nearly don't have any newer sets and you only can see the difference in a comparison photo.

Edited June 29, 2008 by BerndDasBrot

[metalandi]

Yeah, i like the idea of comparing older sets with newer ones keep it up! But what exactly do you mean with the color diffeence of the yellow bricks? They're not SO different though the older ones are a bit bleeched out.

[rriggs]

what exactly do you mean with the color diffeence of the yellow bricks? They're not SO different though the older ones are a bit bleeched out.

That was all I meant (TBH - I couldn't think what to write for the picture)

Anyway, here's the next lot:

This is two Fire Chief's Cars (6505 & 7241)

I like this view comparing the cars and the firemen really nicely:

Cheers

Rog

Edited February 15, 2009 by rriggs

[5150 Lego]

I was going to do some more comparisons of new and old but maybe I shouldn't bother if I don't have a specific aim......

Cheers

Rog

Please do! I think this was a great idea. That little crane was my very first lego set thaty i remeber getting! Brings back alot of memories!

Yeah, i like the idea of comparing older sets with newer ones keep it up! But what exactly do you mean with the color diffeence of the yellow bricks? They're not SO different though the older ones are a bit bleeched out.

I have to agree. I really don't think there is any differnce in the yellow other than its showing its age after 20 yrs witch is to be expected.

[CP5670]

Those pictures you took don't really show the color difference well (and are probably due to differences in lighting more than anything else, as the big crane is further away from the camera), but I know what you're talking about. You don't need to go 20 years back though; even around 3 or 4 years ago the yellow still looked like the old yellow. This is a pretty recent development and the result of TLG's outsourcing and cost cutting moves during the last year. The same applies to the white and red colors.

You can actually still get both kinds of yellows in the same set, especially with basic bricks and plates. I got mostly the new yellow pieces but a few old yellow bricks in an 8275 bulldozer I got a month ago.

[F0NIX]

It is intresting to see how the design has evolved on the mobile crane.

The old one is simple and straight forward. Intresting window that I have not seen since...

The new one has a much more elaborated design with much more details.

Both designs is also correct to for its time, the real mobile crane today are much more advanced than the one 20 years back (evolution here too ofcourse).

[BerndDasBrot]

This is two Fire Chief's Cars (6505 & 7241)

nice one! actually the 7241 is the first set I bought after my dark age because it reminded me on 6511 (I have 6505 too) my first LEGO set ever

Edited June 29, 2008 by BerndDasBrot

[Hinckley]

I love this topic! Thanks rriggs! It really made me laugh <-- see?

Comparisons On!

[Scouty]

That was a great comparison. Heck, I didn't even know the new set had a predecessor ! Thanks for sharing!

[Zzz]

Thanks for the comparision! You can really see how things changed.

I don't own any of the later sets like this but a lot 4wide vehicles from the 80s and early 90s, and though I know I am old fashioned in this topic, I think 12wide vehicles are a bit too much. I really tried to get into town again but it doesn't feel like lego anymore. 6wide is totally ok and I agree that 7990 for example is just lovely, but I cannot understand these monster-big vehicles, against which the minifigs seem lost and unimportant. I am happy that lego decided to make the Indy vehicles small and I am just shocked about the size of the new lego planes or the Batman vehicles. It doesn't feel right to me. But just because my expectations are based on my experience I made in the past, I guess. You have the new plane, rrigs? Would love to see it together with a 4wide passenger jet..

Keep on the interesting topics!

[Dovchenko]

to make a comparison.

Best... response... ever.

Added to my sig.

[iamded]

Wow, this is really cool! The differences are amazing, especially the size. It's as if the older sets go more for playability, whereas the newer sets go more for realism. To be honest, I prefer the older crane, mainly because it doesn't take up so much room!

~Peace

[WesternOutlaw]

Rrigs: This is really an interesting topic. Great pictures for comparison! As a long-time Lego collector, I have watched the sets get bigger over the years. The exception is perhaps the late 70s when some of the vehicles were 6-studs wide (as an example, Set #730 Steam Shovel with Carrier) - but they weren't really mini-fig scale. But yes, the city sets have esp. grown. Your first example of the mobile crane lifting the earlier version really shows the difference.

I like the scale of the new Coast Guard sets for detail, but placing them in a classic-style city really looks awkward. That's the biggest problem with the larger-detailed sets. This topic also reminds me of this discussion: Lego Cars & the Fuel Crunch: is Lego Building Their Cars Too Large.

Excellent topic!

[rriggs]

Spurred on by the positive comments (thanks guys!) here is the next instalment!

Ambulances this time - 6688 & 7890:

Simple front shot shows the new model looking a bit "pumped up" compared to the old:

From the side the new one is just a tad taller & much bigger wheels but about the same length:

7890 looks quite a bit bigger from this angle...

...a lot more blue lights too!

And finally, the business end; 2008's paramedic has more kit but 1987 you got an extra minifig!

Cheers

Rog

[Lasse D]

This is my favorite thread at the moment. I really love these comparisons and compared a couple of garbage trucks myself a while back.

Keep it up! Please

It's great! Nostalgia and comparisons might not say anything to young members, but for old and grumpy AFOLs...

[Wily Manc]

Thanks for the comparisons - like it. I've thought for a while that maybe Lego is getting a bit intrcate and that it was better when it was simpler, but I guess that's just my rose-coloured glasses, cos those newer sets are defo better I think.

[zeki]

This comparisons are great idea! can't wait for another one...keep up the good job

[rriggs]

...but placing them in a classic-style city really looks awkward. That's the biggest problem with the larger-detailed sets.[/url].

You are so right about placing problems. 95% of my LEGO collection is minifig-based and is mostly 1980s & 1990s Town sets. I love the new sets and the detail is great but somehow the XXL crane will never manage to drive along my LEGO Town high street!!

Cheers

Rog

[Tom_castlefan]

It's quite cool to see how lego has progressed. I for one have trouble telling between older and new colours, but your pictures help. Thanks

Tom

[Lanker]

I think I see a ambulance helicopter in the background of the third photo. I am a bit interested about it. The most MOC I do orbits around war and I am wondering if the ambulance helicopter could be used as a military helicopter since I think it is a great TLC design. Whats your opinion? What I am most interested in is if the cargo space is adequate. Is it 4x4 as I have guessed, or? If one could switch red bricks for green it would be perfect. Sorry for this strange comments and questions but I am just curious.

[rriggs]

You are correct, it is the ambulance helicopter. I think it would make a great military chopper if you changed the colour and did some minor mods. It has good outriggers (with the wheels on) which you could use to mount weapons. The cargo space is pretty good - It takes a minifig stretcher easily. You could get two, maybe three minifigs sitting down in there or a lump of cargo. The floor space with studs is 4x4 but this space extends into the exits and the tunnel between the front and rear of the chopper. It has opening side hatches with a winch on one side (which could be replaced easily with a gun) and has a drop down ramp at the back. The pilots seating position is quite laid back which is more military than civilian IMO.

Hope this helps!

Cheers

Rog