Random set of the day: Snowmobile
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 1710 Snowmobile, released during 1994. It's one of 29 Town sets produced that year. It contains 24 pieces and 1 minifig, and its retail price was US$2.
It's owned by 1094 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
Help me come to life! If you like the set I've chosen for you today, please pledge your support for me on LEGO Ideas so I have a chance of becoming an official LEGO set!
76 likes
31 comments on this article
This one was chosen months ago
The chainsaw treads are back!
https://brickset.com/article/59068/random-set-of-the-day-snow-scooter
https://brickset.com/article/58910/random-set-of-the-day-snow-scooter
I did not know this set as a child: it is something I strictly have knowledge of in the Age of the Internet, and my reasons for loving it range from the slightly-personal (it reminds me of my baby brother's first set) to the even more so (the fig is an exact match for a modified fig from another set who was another brother's character--and a major one).
All of which is to say... yeah, it's a fine little set. A winter/Arctic vehicle was unusual in 1994 and the design was solid enough. I like it.
No weather appropriate clothing, dim halogen light, crackly old radio, non-steering front skis, and of course, chainsaw blades for tracks. This guys in for a wild ride!
Having owned a snowmobile about 25 years ago I can say a few things about the realism of this set.
a) Recognisable and great parts usage especially for the treads at this scale. I know the convex bowed slope probably wasn’t invented yet but that would have rounded out the front nicely.
b) Having a seatback is a no-no: you want a bench seat in case you have to bail. No further comment there.
I had this one! Still love the use of the chainsaws as treads.
I had this one too. It was one of my favourite little sets when I was a kid.
I have far more confidence in this to do as promised that both of yesterday’s vehicles combined.
@MeisterDad:
Or in case you should have bailed...but didn’t. A guy one grade below me in high school came in one day wearing a neck brace. When it finally came off, he had two horizontal scars, about 1-1/2” long, on either side of his throat. He’d been out on his snowmobile and plunged through a snow drift, because he apparently thought it would be fun. The age of the barbed wire fence underneath, and being knocked off the back of his sled, may be the only things that saved his life, as the scars were where the two broken ends of the wire made contact.
Gotta love the simple names. “Tow Truck and Car,” “Snowmobile.” That is indeed a snowmobile. It’s not very exciting and I wouldn’t appreciate it with new sets but there’s something comforting about these older sets that just tell it how it is.
I also like the chainsaw treads.
The way he’s holding that radio really makes it look like he’s showing it off. Maybe he stole it and is making his getaway on his snowmobile.
“Look what I got, SUCKAS!!”
@CarolinaOnMyMind:
Nah. This was 1994. He’s got one of those clunky 20th-century mobile phones that were as large as modern satellite phones. He’s just trying to find somewhere that he can get some bars to register, and doesn’t realize he’s hundreds of miles away from any coverage area out there in the wilderness.
VROOM VROOM!
It's not an ATV so that's good. It's cute and simple and I like simple.
But... Is that stubble, pimples, or freckles on his face?
Grade of B. Good set for $2.
Ah, he found it!
My 4 year old says: this set is an antique and I like that it's in the snow.
NEW from Lego..."Snowmobile"!
Named by the same Master Set Namer that brought you classics like "Tow Truck and Car", "House with Roof-Windows", "Space Jet", "Classic Train", and "My Dad"!
I love the clever part usage of the chainsaws as much as the next guy... but I can't help imagining a snowmobile with actual chainsaws trying to drive, and the rear digging a hole in the snow.
For all of the jokes about the Chainsaw 'tracks' I have to say these tiny sets were a real test of how good the designers had to be back in the day of fewer parts in the inventory, when imagination ruled the day and that was passed from the designers to the kids playing with these (as well as saving cost by reusing parts in the inventory). Not the 'well lets just make a part to account for that' attitude that has been around for the last 10-15 years.
@Lego_mini_fan said:
"This one was chosen months ago"
Actually, that was *1730* back in April, they're *technically* different sets since one's a polybag and the other's boxed I think. Anyhow this might be one of the first times this has happened.
@gorf43 said:
"No weather appropriate clothing, dim halogen light, crackly old radio, non-steering front skis, and of course, chainsaw blades for tracks. This guys in for a wild ride! "
Well, back then, 27 years ago, nothing was as simple and comfortable as it is today. Either you had what it takes or not!
1994? Wasn't the chainsaw blade introduced for Ice Planet 2000 in trans-neon orange? Gray, being neutral (non energy, "normal") was a huge draw for me with this small inexpensive set, and you get two! Minifigure usable elements that add realism and variety are practically a drug for me. Even though they're used as snowmobile treads, I love the Lego designer getting them out there like this. IMHO = perfect set.
This is one of the few times I've seen the finger hinge connection on skis used.
@Rob42 said:
"This is one of the few times I've seen the finger hinge connection on skis used. "
They also did it on some Ice Planet sets. Or at least on the Blizzard Baron. They were developed for that theme after all...
I absolutely love this set. It's so simple and charming. Being something different than the 300th four wide car also helped in its favour :)
@Rimefang said:
"1994? Wasn't the chainsaw blade introduced for Ice Planet 2000 in trans-neon orange? Gray, being neutral (non energy, "normal") was a huge draw for me with this small inexpensive set, and you get two! Minifigure usable elements that add realism and variety are practically a drug for me. Even though they're used as snowmobile treads, I love the Lego designer getting them out there like this. IMHO = perfect set."
Agreed! Perfect set. The use of chainsaw and skis is fantastic. So much realism with so few and basic bricks. Probably only would swap the seat for a black 2x2 plate bench.
I love it when Space Scooters are released in disguise.
Makes the Town and City guys feel better.
@peterlmorris said:
"I love it when Space Scooters are released in disguise.
Makes the Town and City guys feel better."
I think I'm going to IcePlanetize this in Studio
https://brickset.com/sets/1710-1/Snowmobile 1730: Snow Scooter
1730-1 Town Leisure 1994
Snowmobile
I like the cool brown jacket and shades, but not so keen on catching the measles.
@CarolinaOnMyMind said:
"The way he’s holding that radio really makes it look like he’s showing it off. Maybe he stole it and is making his getaway on his snowmobile.
“Look what I got, SUCKAS!!”"
In fact, you are kinda right. That minifig in those days was a thief. One year in catalog he was on all minifigs themes commenting what's on and on Town he was running away from cops.
And I have this set, boxed one
@gsom7 said:
" @CarolinaOnMyMind said:
"The way he’s holding that radio really makes it look like he’s showing it off. Maybe he stole it and is making his getaway on his snowmobile.
“Look what I got, SUCKAS!!”"
In fact, you are kinda right. That minifig in those days was a thief. One year in catalog he was on all minifigs themes commenting what's on and on Town he was running away from cops.
And I have this set, boxed one
"
Yep, it was the Red Cap Gang, in 1994 (first appearance in the 1993 go-kart transporter, I think). The catalog had comic panels telling their story. They were LEGOs version of the Beagle Boys, all looking the same: blue legs, green jacket, this face and a red cap - so the snowmobile driver is likely not one of them, but as a generic minifig he absolutely coul, it was up to you.
@Lego_mini_fan said:
"This one was chosen months ago"
It was 1730.
Funny how a set that wasn't even in the theme can give me Ice Planet nostalgia just by its part use. The fact that it's a snowmobile doesn't hurt.