#ThrowbackThursday – Ricky Racoon

I think we do a good job here of getting a look at the history of LEGO sets through our section #ThrowbackThursday. More for the models than the literature which I am documenting via our Memory Lane section.

In 1979, LEGO came up with a character series called Fabuland. Basically this was a fantasy world with animals driving and doing their business in a virtual town setting. Aimed at 4-7 year olds, I think I was half tempted to ask my parents for these sets, but thankfully the pull of LEGOLAND was too great.

324-2

For this TBT article, I wanted to look at a very, very, very simple set – 324 Ricky Racoon and scooter. There are just two parts to this set – Ricky Racoon. And the scooter. Yup, that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. What is even more amazing is that whilst this is just a no brainer to create (I challenge anyone to put this together in under 2 seconds!) LEGO took the time to create a gatefold leaflet that serves as the instruction map.

lego

324b 324a

There is a lot of anger these days with the IP of Marvel, DC Comics, Ninjago and the Disney Star Wars juggernaut – by that I mean LEGO can be built and purposely destroyed as per the films, vision and needless to say creativity of the mind.

But why I like this set is that it is a world away from all of that. There is nothing malicious about it, it is simple and tells a story of a character who loves his scooter. Of course with your parts bin you can add to the build of the scooter by creating whatever rear mounted creation you choose. But equally, leave the set alone and you have a blissfully unaware and happy little theme and set. I am fortunate to have one of these within my vat of LEGO. I have no idea

I doubt very much that there are any MOC, sealed sets of this one anymore, but you would still have to pay between £3-5 for a second hand one.

For those who want to go off the beaten track amidst the onslaught of City, Chima and Friends theme, I think that the Fabuland sets and figures are very much worth having a look at, more so if you have young children as it will be a huge and diverse deviation from all that is available now and could possibly open up new journeys in LEGO build and play.

Author Profile

Keith
My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits.

I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again.

I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox.

There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

Keith

My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits. I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again. I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox. There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

One thought on “#ThrowbackThursday – Ricky Racoon

  • 14/04/2016 at 10:21
    Permalink

    I loved Fabuland as a kid, had the fairground and loads of the smaller stuff 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *