How many pieces are in the Medium Basic Set?

Set 285-1 has 288 pieces in 21 different part types and no minifigures.

What colours does it have?

The main colours are red, white, light grey and blue.

When was it released?

It came out in 1966 and is filed under System / Samsonite.

System Samsonite

LEGO® Medium Basic Set

The Medium Basic Set from 1966 has 288 pieces in red, white, light grey and blue. It is listed under System / Samsonite and sits in size between the small and large basic sets. The parts list is further down.

Set number: 285
Year: 1966
Pieces: 288
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Samsonite
Different parts: 42

What can I build with it?

Parts list 42

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Description

The sensible middle

The name says it all: 288 pieces is a medium amount, neither a starter box nor a big stock of bricks. That makes the set practical, since it is enough for proper structures yet still easy to manage on a table. If you do not yet know how much material you need for free building, this size is a reasonable choice. The bricks are enough for a small house, a vehicle or a scene made of several parts.

Light grey beside the primaries

Next to red, white and blue, light grey appears as a main colour, and that gives the set a more sober note than some neighbours that feature yellow. Light grey suits walls, roads or technical surfaces, while red and blue provide the accents. If you like to build models in muted tones, this is a pleasant starting point. The colours stand for the clear, graphic style of the early 1960s, which still looks good on a shelf today.

21 types, no minifigures

Only 21 different part types means many bricks are identical. That makes it easier to build regular surfaces and keeps the set easy to oversee. Minifigures are absent because they did not exist in 1966, so the focus lies entirely on the building bricks. The parts list on this page shows every type and its quantity, so you can see at a glance what the set contains and what might be missing from a second-hand copy.

A building block for bigger collections

Because the parts are universal, they mix well with other basic sets. Use the “What can I build?” tool to check which further models your combined stock allows. That is especially worthwhile if you want to merge several small sets into one larger project. As a gift for the curious who want to try classic bricks, the medium set is also a sensible choice, since it does not overwhelm and still allows serious building from the very first evening.

FAQ

How many pieces are in the Medium Basic Set?: Set 285-1 has 288 pieces in 21 different part types and no minifigures.
What colours does it have?: The main colours are red, white, light grey and blue.
When was it released?: It came out in 1966 and is filed under System / Samsonite.

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