Random set of the day: Blast-Off Dragster
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 2129 Blast-Off Dragster, released during 1997. It's one of 15 Technic sets produced that year. It contains 63 pieces, and its retail price was US$7.
It's owned by 970 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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20 comments on this article
Well, it's red and white, but it's not Christmas exclusively, nor is it Clikits like I asked for, but I can't be mad at Huwbot, he knows what I need to see better than I do. Merry Christmas everybody.
Hee hee, it's zoomin'!
I like how the bottom right shows a blurred image to suggest rapid motion, and if that weren’t enough there is also a helpful arrow indicating direction (larger than the pull-back arrow I might add).
Which came first, the set name or the box images…?
I had this at some point. I have no recollection of getting rid of it, but I don't think I still have it.
Santa's alternate sleigh.
A dragster that actually becomes airborne?
I see issues with that.
I’m hoping for my favorite type of comment. The “it was my favorite/first LEGO set as a kid,” comment.
I’ve noticed that happens a lot, even for the hit-or-miss years of the late 90s.
@Zordboy said:
"A dragster that actually becomes airborne?
I see issues with that."
Yeah, usually not a good thing... probably caused by those super knobby front tires.
Its yellow counterpart, the 8205 Bungee Blaster, was my grail set.
@peterlmorris said:
"I’m hoping for my favorite type of comment. The “it was my favorite/first LEGO set as a kid,” comment. "
I wish...... Huwbot doesn't remember when I was a kid!
It’s a set that relies on a critical 82-stud long elastic string to make it work. I wonder how many of those strings are still in functional condition today.
@myscrnnm said:
"Its yellow counterpart, the 8205 Bungee Blaster, was my grail set. "
I own this one. I'm surprised Lego released two sets of different colours the same year
What is it owned by Team Rocket or something?
This thing worked so well, a lot of fun to play with. The elastic doesn't work anymore sadly.
Ah yes, bungee cord powered drive. The 90s were an interesting time for lego. They would do it again in 8202 and 2854.
I personally feel more nostalgia for the yellow one 8205 because that was in the mini catalog that came in sets at the time, whereas this one didn't.
Can anyone who owns this set quickly explain how exactly the pull-back mechanism works? I personally find that aspect of this set quite fascinating, because it doesn't use any of the pre-fab pull-back used in lines like Racers.
These were a lot of fun and, ironically, I got two of them for Christmas back in the day! They would absolutely fly on a good long floor.
@LegoDavid - Yes. The elastic band was actually attached ‘lengthways’ on the model, meaning that one end hooked onto the front of the vehicle and the other end wrapped around a tube at the rear. You wound up the tube and the elastic band would wrap around it. Let it go and the band would snap back, driving the axle.
@MeisterDad said:
"I like how the bottom right shows a blurred image to suggest rapid motion, and if that weren’t enough there is also a helpful arrow indicating direction (larger than the pull-back arrow I might add).
Which came first, the set name or the box images…?"
Cartoon speed blur on boxes is still better then fake glowing car lights on many recent sets images.
Unless LEGO somehow has secret LED inside its stickered headlights? (sarcasm)
Looks like a fun set, technic/model team had most of the bigger wheels back then.
Now just look at city stuntz, 3-in-1, monkie kid or ninjago, batman etc there are loads of big wheel minifig cars now.
This was a set I was given from my uncle and aunt during a visit to them in Colorado back in 1997. That was a pretty amazing trip, and getting some LEGO only sweetened the experience. I also eventually got the yellow one, which is exactly the same build aside from color. I definitely raced them in the hallway back home many, many times. I'd be shocked if the bungee cords were still in usable condition. I actually liked how Technic was becoming fun to play with back in 1997-1998. However, I do think they pushed the bungee cord sets a little too heavily in retrospect!