What was Expert Builder?

It was the name used in some markets for the early technical building sets before the Technic name took over.

How does 955 differ from the Mobile Crane 855?

The catalogue data is nearly identical, with one extra piece in 955. Comparing the two parts lists is the easiest way to pinpoint the difference.

Are there minifigures in set 955?

No. The set consists of 512 pieces and no figures.

Expert Builder

Mobile Crane

The Mobile Crane 955 is a 1979 set from Expert Builder, the early line that later became Technic. Its 512 pieces make it one of the more substantial models from those first years.

Set number: 955
Year: 1979
Pieces: 512
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Expert Builder
Different parts: 90

What can I build with it?

Parts list 90

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

Where Technic began

In the late 1970s, sets built from gears, axles and bricks with holes were sold in some markets under the Expert Builder name before Technic became the standard label. This crane belongs to that pioneering period. Many ideas that still define the theme today, such as transmitting motion through gears and building functional assemblies, were already present, even though the range of parts was far narrower. For anyone interested in the theme's roots, sets like this are a direct link to its beginnings.

Bricks, plates and gears

Studless beams did not exist in 1979, so the crane is built entirely from studded bricks with holes, plates, axles and gears. That gives it a solid, angular look quite different from modern Technic. Yellow leads the colour scheme, followed by light grey, red and black, a bold combination typical of the era and fitting for a construction vehicle. The 512 pieces come from just 90 unique parts, which means plenty of repetition and a build that is easy to sort beforehand.

Almost identical to 855

The catalogue also lists the Mobile Crane 855 from 1978, and the numbers are strikingly close: 511 pieces for 855, 512 for 955, with 90 unique parts and the same four main colours in both. The data alone does not explain the difference, so the best way to find it is to compare the two inventories directly. The full parts list for 955 is on this page, and the 855 page shows its counterpart, making a side-by-side check straightforward.

Restoring a vintage crane

Complete copies of a set this old are rare. The parts list on this page lets you check every element by colour and quantity, and because many basic parts from the period are still made in similar form, replacements are often easier to find than you might expect. There are no minifigures to track down. What can I build? also compares your parts with other models, including other early Expert Builder sets that share a similar selection of pieces.

FAQ

What was Expert Builder?: It was the name used in some markets for the early technical building sets before the Technic name took over.
How does 955 differ from the Mobile Crane 855?: The catalogue data is nearly identical, with one extra piece in 955. Comparing the two parts lists is the easiest way to pinpoint the difference.
Are there minifigures in set 955?: No. The set consists of 512 pieces and no figures.

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