Classic Space Book, Classic Space Parts

Classic Space is not defined by a specific set, a specific part, or even a specific color palette—it’s a whole vibe! If you want to celebrate this era, the next-best thing to having a complete Classic Space collection is to pick up a copy of LEGO Space: 1978-1992 by Tim Johnson.

LEGO Space: 1978-1992 by Tim Johnson.

The book is organized into three chapters: Classic LEGO Space (1978-1987), Futron and Blacktron (1987-1990) and Space Police, M:Tron and Blacktron Future Generation (1989-1992). Each chapter features several pages contextualizing that era of LEGO Space, plus 4-6 pages of interviews with one or more designer who played a role at that time.

The interviews include behind the scenes photos such as this gallery of prototype M:Tron sets.

This is followed by many pages highlighting some of the most iconic and influential LEGO Space sets, with beautiful archival photos of the sets, the packaging, and promotional materials from around the world.

In addition to a page dedicated to each set, there are tons of promotional materials such as this comic book.

The core of the book is a loving encyclopedic look at sets in the classic LEGO space era. As a parts nerd, I was delighted to find an inset on almost every page highlighting a single interesting LEGO element, and how it is artfully used in a specific classic space set.

Many interesting LEGO elements are featured alongside a set where they played a key role.

While this short article is not meant to be a thorough review of this book, I believe this book offers a model for future books celebrating specific LEGO themes thanks to the mix of excellent photos of each set, thoughtful analysis, and interviews with several designers who played a key role in developing the theme.

LEGO Space: 1978-1992 is a beautiful volume, reasonably priced, and is a pleasure to read. That’s why it easily earns a Recommended (4/5 star rating).

Celebrating Classic Space Parts

The book also served as a great catalyst to continue my efforts to make The LEGO Parts Guide the richest experience for learning about interesting LEGO parts. In addition to great photos of each of the sets featured in the book, it highlights some of the key LEGO elements which helped shape the LEGO Space aesthetic.

I added 22 parts which were referenced in the book to my parts guide. This added a bunch of key retired parts to the guide, bringing me closer to enabling a dedicated mode to show/hide retired parts. (You can already find some retired parts in the gallery of Most Common LEGO Parts or when using search.)

In my LEGO Parts Guide, Chainsaw Body (Part 2516) now includes an excerpt from the book.

I also added some of the most interesting short excerpts from the book to the Parts Guide! I focused on parts which played a key role in the history of LEGO Space, and parts which were introduced in LEGO Space but were used in many other themes later.

23 parts were updated to include excerpts from the book:

• 1×2 w/ 3-Loudspeakers (Part 3963)
• Space Gun (Part 86208)
• 1×2 Plate w/ 2-handles (Part 3839)
• Engine w/ Strakes, 2×2 Thin Plate (Part 4229)
• 2×4×5 Inclined Stanchion (Part 4476)
• 1×2 w/ 3L Space Wing (Part 4596)
• 3×2 Bracket, Space (Part 4598)
• 1×1 w/ Fins (Part 4588)
• 1×3 Bar w/ Clip (Robot Arm) (Part 4735)
• 1×1 Brick, Studs 4-sides (Part 4733)
• 2×2 Dish (Part 4740)
• 1×2 Console w/ 3-studs (Part 2342)
• Visor (Part 2447)
• 1×4 Bracket w/ 1×2 Plate (Part 28802)
• 2×4×4 Brick w/ Studs, Opposite Sides (Part 2434)
• 1×2 Panel (Part 4865)
• 6×6×1⅓ Cabin Base (Part 4597)
• Metal Detector (Part 93106)
• 4×4×3 Window Frame, Sloped, Large Glass (Part 4447)
• 4×4×6 Window Frame, Sloped, Convex (Part 4741)
• 4×4×6 Panel, Convex Corner (Part 4737)
• Chainsaw Body (Part 2516)
• 1×1 Plate w/ Clip, Top (Straight Sides) (Part 2555)

I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about iconic LEGO Space parts through these updates to my LEGO Parts Guide. What do you think—should I continue adding additional ‘fun facts’ and history to the guide?