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| | | Author: | viejos  | | Posted: | Feb 14, 2017 22:00 | | Subject: | Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1 | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests (Entry) | | Status: | Open | |
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| Please make changes to the following inventory:
* Add 7 Part 3704 Black Technic, Axle 2 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 14 Part 3705 Black Technic, Axle 4 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 18 Part 3713 Light Gray Technic Bush (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 41 Part 3673 Light Gray Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 2 Part 3003old Red Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Supports (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 7 Part 3022 Red Plate 2 x 2 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Change 9 Part Black 3704 Technic, Axle 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 12 Part Black 3705 Technic, Axle 4 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 16 Part Light Gray 3713 Technic Bush {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 42 Part Light Gray 3673 Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 4 Part Red 3003old Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Supports {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 9 Part Red 3022 Plate 2 x 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 2 Part Red 3039 Slope 45 2 x 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
Comments from Submitter:
The early version of this set (with foldout instructions) has a slightly different steering assembly. Details attached in the following post.
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| | | | | Author: | viejos | | Posted: | Feb 14, 2017 22:37 | | Subject: | Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1 | | Viewed: | 76 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests | |
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| In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
| | Please make changes to the following inventory:
* Add 7 Part 3704 Black Technic, Axle 2 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 14 Part 3705 Black Technic, Axle 4 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 18 Part 3713 Light Gray Technic Bush (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 41 Part 3673 Light Gray Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 2 Part 3003old Red Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Supports (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 7 Part 3022 Red Plate 2 x 2 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Change 9 Part Black 3704 Technic, Axle 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 12 Part Black 3705 Technic, Axle 4 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 16 Part Light Gray 3713 Technic Bush {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 42 Part Light Gray 3673 Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 4 Part Red 3003old Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Supports {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 9 Part Red 3022 Plate 2 x 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 2 Part Red 3039 Slope 45 2 x 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
Comments from Submitter:
The early version of this set (with foldout instructions) has a slightly different steering assembly. Details attached in the following post.
|
I started the project of fixing this inventory shortly after becoming a BrickLink
member in 2008, and today it has finally been completed! The box I had at the
time showed a different steering system, and I could never reconcile the 590
piece count no matter what way the wheels or other parts were counted. In fact,
I ended up adding pieces to the inventory, making the discrepancy even more noticeable.
As I dug deeper, I discovered four distinct versions of the set - two prototpye
versions, and two production versions. The inventory changes above reflect the
production versions. It's interesting to see that the parts "removed" from
the inventory for the later production version are present in the Extras section
(2 axle 4's and 2 spacers).
Below I have put together a presentation, complete with images, to illustrate
my theory on how all the evidence fits together. Expert Builder enthusiasts,
please feel free to download this information and test it out!
Russell
_____________________________________________________________
TIMELINE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SET 853 / 956 AUTO CHASSIS
(approx. 150 parts / pre-construction, 1976) - A new Technic system is
developed from the existing Gears system, and the first 4 set numbers are assigned
(850, 851, 852, 853). A core inventory of parts is developed for the flagship
model, the Auto Chassis: 100+ technic parts plus a token number of 1 x 4 and
1 x 6 plates, both new parts in 1977. A balanced selection of technic parts plus
standard elements of the type used in the Hobby theme are available as needed
to complete construction.
(577 parts / “catalog” prototype, 1976) - The Auto Chassis prototype is
built, with an old-school steering mechanism made from Technic plates. Conspicuously
absent is the spacer immediately under the steering wheel and the one right at
the nose of the engine on the “fan”. Also absent are three blue 1 x 2 plates
on the top of the engine block, between the cylinders. The parts from the prototype
model are used to build several alternate models - a dragster, jeep, semi, lathe,
and scissor lift. None of the alternate models have working steering. Photos
are taken of these models, and early catalogs and ads containing these photos
are sent to press. See BL large image of set 956:
(590 parts / “box” prototype, 1976) - The 2 x 2 turntable is invented
to enable steering at a smaller scale, and a complete set of 6 turntables is
added to the official parts list of the Auto Chassis set. A spacer on the steering
column is also added and another on the front of the “cooling system fan” axle.
Another spacer is added to each steering wheel axis, and three blue 1 x 2 plates
are added to the engine block. An alternate model using the turntables goes into
development: the “Go-Cart” model, the informal predecessor of the famous blue
Go-Cart, set 854.
At this point (590 parts) the boxes for both European and US versions go into
production. Many of the box images, both photos and drawings, were generated
during the previous stage of development.
(597 parts / early production, 1977) - The steering in the main model
is reworked to use turntables, adding six parts: two 2 x 2 plates and four 1
x 2 technic bricks. A 1 x 4 blue plate is also added, presumably as a redundant
part. Instructions for the Auto Chassis and Go-Cart are drawn in the old-style
foldout format, with no step inventories. The difficult assembly process is used
as a “positive” in marketing materials. Set 853 goes into production with 597
regular parts and 12 extras.
(606 parts / late production, 1978) - The steering system is modified
again, adding another 9 parts: 8 for the wheel axes plus an additional pin in
the steering column support. Four parts (two 4 length axles and two spacers)
are “removed” from the official build but are still included in the set, allowing
backwards compatibility with previous versions, the diagrams and photos of which
are still preserved on the box. Along with the 9 additional parts, a special
instruction sheet is included, showing how to rebuild the steering system with
the provided parts.
After the supply of the old-style foldout instructions is exhausted, Lego produces
a new set of instructions bound in an A4-size booklet, with simplified building
sequences and step inventories for the main model. These instructions only show
the newest way of building the steering mechanism. The set continues to be distributed,
now with 606 regular parts and 12 extras.
The US version, set 956, is released for distribution. For whatever reason (patent,
copyright, or otherwise) US boxes were never updated and always showed a piece
count of 590. European boxes had no piece count.
_____________________________________________________________
Attached images:
A) piece count spreadsheet
B) six stages of the steering mechanism
C) gear brick diagram and examples
D) annotated image of the “catalog” prototype version
E) annotated image of the “box” prototype version
F) instructions from the foldout version
G) supplemental instruction sheet
H) post production images
Links:
1. 1977 British Lego ad [8 MB]
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21557246/853/1.jpg
2. box photo A (side view) [2 MB]
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21557246/853/2.jpg
3. box photo B (front view) [2 MB]
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21557246/853/3.jpg
4. box photo C (original steering) [500 KB]
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21557246/853/4.jpg
5. box photo D (official piece count) [200 KB]
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21557246/853/5.jpg
6. poster image [6 MB]
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21557246/853/6.jpg
7. commentary on the six stages [90 KB]
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21557246/853/7.pdf
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| | | | | | | Author: | CrazyChris | | Posted: | Feb 15, 2017 09:37 | | Subject: | Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1 | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests | |
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| That's useful Information. Could you put it (text+pictures) into a downloadable
PDF document?
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | viejos | | Posted: | Feb 16, 2017 00:31 | | Subject: | Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1 | | Viewed: | 27 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests | |
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| In Inventories Requests, CrazyChris writes:
| | That's useful Information. Could you put it (text+pictures) into a downloadable
PDF document?
|
I may very well do that, though I hate to commit to anything and then never get
it finished. The one issue with the pdf that kept me from using it exclusively
is that the photos are not great. I linked to photos in this thread because they
were too large to add to the post, but yet I wanted people to examine the scans
as closely as I have.
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| | | | | | | Author: | jancg | | Posted: | Feb 15, 2017 10:06 | | Subject: | Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1 | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests | |
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| viejos,
My parents brought home an 853 from their trip to the USA. Apparently the 853
has also been sold in the USA! According to your pictures it was an 'early
production' version. I got it for my birthday 1st of may 1977.
It also had the sheet for improved steering unit, but the box lacked the parts
needed. Also the instructions showed the 3 extra blue 1x2 plates for the engine,
but again the box lacked the parts. Also, even for my present building skills,
the building steps for the engine are just plain wrong: it can't be built
like pictured. The instructions were the fold-out poster version.
Still, the 850, 851 and 853 were my first technic sets and really got enthusiastic
for Lego Technic.
Jan.
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | viejos | | Posted: | Feb 16, 2017 00:16 | | Subject: | Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1 | | Viewed: | 25 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests | |
|
| In Inventories Requests, jancg writes:
| | viejos,
My parents brought home an 853 from their trip to the USA. Apparently the 853
has also been sold in the USA! According to your pictures it was an 'early
production' version. I got it for my birthday 1st of may 1977.
It also had the sheet for improved steering unit, but the box lacked the parts
needed. Also the instructions showed the 3 extra blue 1x2 plates for the engine,
but again the box lacked the parts. Also, even for my present building skills,
the building steps for the engine are just plain wrong: it can't be built
like pictured. The instructions were the fold-out poster version.
Still, the 850, 851 and 853 were my first technic sets and really got enthusiastic
for Lego Technic.
Jan.
|
The engine is certainly the oldest part of the model, and I do believe it underwent
changes over time. There is evidence to suggest it was designed after the 1 x
6 plate was created, but before the 1 x 4 plate. Hence the use of so many 1 x
2 plates.
Alternatively, the front of the engine could have originally had a 2 x 4 brick
instead of the fan rotor assembly. Hard to tell without some firsthand information
from TLG.
I've built the motor several times from the early instructions, and I have
2 copies of them. So I don't know what to say about the difficulties you
are experiencing. The construction is identical to that shown in the A4 booklet
instructions, but the booklet has step inventories and things are spread out
a bit more. So maybe you should try building with those instructions (available
on Peeron or Brickfactory) and see how it turns out.
Russell
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| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | viejos | | Posted: | Aug 4, 2017 18:28 | | Subject: | Re: Inventory Change Request for Set 853-1 | | Viewed: | 56 times | | Topic: | Inventories Requests | |
|
| In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
| | In Inventories Requests, viejos writes:
| | Please make changes to the following inventory:
* Add 7 Part 3704 Black Technic, Axle 2 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 14 Part 3705 Black Technic, Axle 4 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 18 Part 3713 Light Gray Technic Bush (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 41 Part 3673 Light Gray Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 2 Part 3003old Red Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Supports (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Add 7 Part 3022 Red Plate 2 x 2 (Alternate) (match ID 2)
* Change 9 Part Black 3704 Technic, Axle 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 12 Part Black 3705 Technic, Axle 4 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 16 Part Light Gray 3713 Technic Bush {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 42 Part Light Gray 3673 Technic, Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 4 Part Red 3003old Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Supports {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 9 Part Red 3022 Plate 2 x 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
* Change 2 Part Red 3039 Slope 45 2 x 2 {match ID 0 to 2}
Comments from Submitter:
The early version of this set (with foldout instructions) has a slightly different steering assembly. Details attached in the following post.
|
I started the project of fixing this inventory shortly after becoming a BrickLink
member in 2008, and today it has finally been completed! The box I had at the
time showed a different steering system, and I could never reconcile the 590
piece count no matter what way the wheels or other parts were counted. In fact,
I ended up adding pieces to the inventory, making the discrepancy even more noticeable.
As I dug deeper, I discovered four distinct versions of the set - two prototpye
versions, and two production versions. The inventory changes above reflect the
production versions. It's interesting to see that the parts "removed" from
the inventory for the later production version are present in the Extras section
(2 axle 4's and 2 spacers).
Below I have put together a presentation, complete with images, to illustrate
my theory on how all the evidence fits together. Expert Builder enthusiasts,
please feel free to download this information and test it out!
Russell
_____________________________________________________________
TIMELINE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SET 853 / 956 AUTO CHASSIS
(approx. 150 parts / pre-construction, 1976) - A new Technic system is
developed from the existing Gears system, and the first 4 set numbers are assigned
(850, 851, 852, 853). A core inventory of parts is developed for the flagship
model, the Auto Chassis: 100+ technic parts plus a token number of 1 x 4 and
1 x 6 plates, both new parts in 1977. A balanced selection of technic parts plus
standard elements of the type used in the Hobby theme are available as needed
to complete construction.
(577 parts / “catalog” prototype, 1976) - The Auto Chassis prototype is
built, with an old-school steering mechanism made from Technic plates. Conspicuously
absent is the spacer immediately under the steering wheel and the one right at
the nose of the engine on the “fan”. Also absent are three blue 1 x 2 plates
on the top of the engine block, between the cylinders. The parts from the prototype
model are used to build several alternate models - a dragster, jeep, semi, lathe,
and scissor lift. None of the alternate models have working steering. Photos
are taken of these models, and early catalogs and ads containing these photos
are sent to press. See BL large image of set 956:
(590 parts / “box” prototype, 1976) - The 2 x 2 turntable is invented
to enable steering at a smaller scale, and a complete set of 6 turntables is
added to the official parts list of the Auto Chassis set. A spacer on the steering
column is also added and another on the front of the “cooling system fan” axle.
Another spacer is added to each steering wheel axis, and three blue 1 x 2 plates
are added to the engine block. An alternate model using the turntables goes into
development: the “Go-Cart” model, the informal predecessor of the famous blue
Go-Cart, set 854.
At this point (590 parts) the boxes for both European and US versions go into
production. Many of the box images, both photos and drawings, were generated
during the previous stage of development.
(597 parts / early production, 1977) - The steering in the main model
is reworked to use turntables, adding six parts: two 2 x 2 plates and four 1
x 2 technic bricks. A 1 x 4 blue plate is also added, presumably as a redundant
part. Instructions for the Auto Chassis and Go-Cart are drawn in the old-style
foldout format, with no step inventories. The difficult assembly process is used
as a “positive” in marketing materials. Set 853 goes into production with 597
regular parts and 12 extras.
(606 parts / late production, 1978) - The steering system is modified
again, adding another 9 parts: 8 for the wheel axes plus an additional pin in
the steering column support. Four parts (two 4 length axles and two spacers)
are “removed” from the official build but are still included in the set, allowing
backwards compatibility with previous versions, the diagrams and photos of which
are still preserved on the box. Along with the 9 additional parts, a special
instruction sheet is included, showing how to rebuild the steering system with
the provided parts.
After the supply of the old-style foldout instructions is exhausted, Lego produces
a new set of instructions bound in an A4-size booklet, with simplified building
sequences and step inventories for the main model. These instructions only show
the newest way of building the steering mechanism. The set continues to be distributed,
now with 606 regular parts and 12 extras.
The US version, set 956, is released for distribution. For whatever reason (patent,
copyright, or otherwise) US boxes were never updated and always showed a piece
count of 590. European boxes had no piece count.
_____________________________________________________________
Attached images:
A) piece count spreadsheet
B) six stages of the steering mechanism
C) gear brick diagram and examples
D) annotated image of the “catalog” prototype version
E) annotated image of the “box” prototype version
F) instructions from the foldout version
G) supplemental instruction sheet
H) post production images
Links:
|
Since this was posted, Dropbox changed their linking standards. Here are the
new links:
1. 1977 British Lego ad [8 MB]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xdritkjow118v3q/1.jpg?dl=0
2. box photo A (side view) [2 MB]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zp99fd0sn5bgwz1/2.jpg?dl=0
3. box photo B (front view) [2 MB]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rreyg6xlsdm0fto/3.jpg?dl=0
4. box photo C (original steering) [500 KB]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9hpisezfrx9ts3z/4.jpg?dl=0
5. box photo D (official piece count) [200 KB]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hljtznhdikgo1ch/5.jpg?dl=0
6. poster image [6 MB]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5ukpsg2ugnt238u/6.jpg?dl=0
7. commentary on the six stages [90 KB]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/urxo561evht3pom/7.pdf?dl=0
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USA, California
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Germany, Baden-Württemberg
Netherlands, Noord-Holland
