Restoring vintage sets with modern elements?

[NathanR]

I recently got hold of some of the earliest Lego Technic sets, including the 852 Helicopter and 855 Mobile Crane. While they were sold as "complete", it's obvious to me that the previous owner restored them using modern Lego elements. For example, the 852 has technic pins that are light bluish grey, and a 1x4 technic brick with hollow anti-studs. The 855 has a yellow 4x6 plate that misses the bars across the anti-studs and is visibly more translucent, and also some inverted slopes where the hollow studs are thin-walled. Interestingly, some of the 1x2 tiles only had numbers 1-12 stamped into the underside, except for some modern replacements that have  "Lego 3069" in italics.

Now, I realise I'm obsessing over details that probably don't matter. Lego elements from 50 years ago are compatible with those of today, and these sets are so old that it would be incredible if parts hadn't gone missing and been replaced. But I find myself wondering - should I leave the sets as they are, respecting their history? Should I do a partial replacement to ensure all elements are at least the correct colour (like, light grey pins instead of light bluish grey)? Should I start searching bulk Lego bricks for elements that match the correct mold variations for the era (and probably drive myself crazy in the process)?

What would you do?

[Jundis]

As I don't own such old Lego I could only give you advice for what I think most collectors would do:

Buy the original parts from bricklink. There are plenty available and also cheap (pins normally cost 1 cent each). Just check the part list for the right item number and the right colour.

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=852-1

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=855-1

You just have to watch out when ordering the older parts. Maybe check back with the seller if they just write "used" in the description. If there are sold with "good quality" or "excellent" there should be no problem.

[yqc]

3 hours ago, NathanR said:

What would you do?

I'm not a collector, so I'd just slrt it into my parts storage. But as a collector, I'd probably want "replacements" to be the exact colour and mold variant. As said by @Jundis , I would also check BrickLink for these before making yourself go crazy with bulk lots.

[2GodBDGlory]

I probably wouldn't worry about most mold variants, but maybe I'd try to get all the old greys?

[Stereo]

For my own sets that I've owned since new, I do try to put it all right, to the extent that I know about the differences.  If I buy a set used then I try to get it to a plausible inventory (so no wrong colours or outright part substitutes) but I don't worry about every individual piece being the right age.  If I find a set in bulk and it's not complete, I'll build it with replacements for fun, but generally not mark it as a set I own until it's actually complete.

[Kamil]

Hi, 

852 is my first Technic set and I got the most out of it. Then I combined it with the 8860, and the result was a large-scale pickup truck that satisfied me for years. When the new generation of technical parts came out, I reassembled these parts, and after using 852 in a Lego exhibition in 2012, I am still keeping this 44 years old set in a box. It is barely standing up due to loose connections, and mostly due to cracking problems of "light grey technic, axle and pin connector" parts. Also some gears and pulley also cracked and repaired. I replaced some parts with the newer ones but preserved original parts in my inventory too. You can decide by comparing these repaired parts in the following pictures:

 

My Lego Technic pick-up at the exhibition:

-

For example, say we have a 44 yrs old Mercedes. If brake servo is not working, we replace it. If we use an original Mercedes part, then the car is original again even if the part is newer than the car's age. Collectors judge these vintage cars by saying 95% original, so on.

I think two factors are effective here.

1. Emotional:

Set must include all the parts that were present when it was purchased. This is also a collector's wish, and is important in terms of preserving the value of the set. 

2. Logical:

The set should primarily meet my personal development needs, it's parts should be replaceable as they disappear, and it's parts may be usable in other MOC's. Here, keeping it functional through repairs is a priority. When the part replacement becomes unmanageable, this set should be retired and replaced by new ones. 

I think you'll have to make a decision by building a balance between these two, according to your own needs. I do so by trying to be staying in the middle. 

All the best

Edited May 23 by Kamil

[Paul B Technic]

I would want to swap these for "period correct" parts, when possible.

[Kamil]

11 hours ago, Paul B Technic said:

"period correct"

[Tazmancrash]

I've been thinking about this recently. 

I genuinely am not to fussed about exactly matching parts.

I have a 8855 prop plane I'd like to rebuild but I'm concerned about the struts between the floats & fuselage. 

They are made up of the old toothed connectors. I think the modern 1 though 6 connectors could be direct replacements.