Back to Basics!
The 1973 LEGO Basic Set

Unleash your creativity with 330 classic bricks. A nostalgic trip for LEGO lovers of all ages!

🏛 Universal Building Set
Set #5-3

Basic Set

The Basic Set 5-3 is a delightful throwback to LEGO's simple beginnings.

🏆 Best For: Ideal for young children and those new to LEGO, offering a simple and engaging introduction to creative building. ⏱ 4.5 hr build 🧩 330 pcs
★★★★☆ 4.2

A nostalgic set that captures the essence of early LEGO, praised for its simplicity and open-ended play. Some find it overpriced on the secondary market due to its age and collectibility, but it remains a charming piece of LEGO history.

MSRP
$6.99
Best Price
$6.29
You Save
10% OFF
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📝 Our Take

The Basic Set 5-3 is a delightful throwback to LEGO's simple beginnings. This set embodies the essence of LEGO, offering a colorful assortment of bricks that encourage open-ended creativity without the constraints of a specific model.

This set is perfect for young children and those who appreciate classic LEGO designs. With its large, easy-to-handle bricks and no complex instructions, it provides a fantastic introduction to the world of LEGO building, fostering imagination and problem-solving skills.

Skip this if you're seeking complex builds or licensed themes. Contemporary sets like the LEGO Classic series (11017-1) offer a wider variety of parts and building techniques, or consider sets based on popular franchises for more structured building experiences.

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🧱 Building Experience

🧩
330
Pieces
4.5h
Build Time
📊
Beginner
Difficulty
Build Highlights:
  • Simple, intuitive building with no complex instructions.
  • Focus on open-ended creativity and imagination.
  • Classic LEGO color palette provides a visually appealing experience.
  • Large bricks are easy for small hands to manipulate.

📈 Investment Analysis

↑ Trending up since release
B+
Investment Grade
⏳ Appreciating
The Basic Set 5-3 presents a unique investment opportunity due to its age and nostalgic appeal. As a vintage LEGO set from 1973, it is highly sought after by collectors interested in LEGO's history. Its relatively low original MSRP compared to its current market value indicates strong appreciation over time. However, condition is critical: a set in pristine, unopened condition will command a much higher premium than one that is used or incomplete. While the theme is universal and timeless, the market for vintage LEGO can be niche, so potential investors should be aware of the risks involved in authentication and storage.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

Compare Similar Sets

Compared to modern LEGO Classic sets, the Basic Set 5-3 offers a simpler, more nostalgic building experience. While newer sets like 11017-1 offer a wider range of parts and building techniques, the vintage set appeals to collectors and those seeking a classic LEGO experience. For those interested in structured builds, sets from themes like City or Creator offer more detailed models and instructions.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 26 unique parts • 330 total pieces

Tyre Smooth Old Style - Small Tyre Smooth Old S...
Part #: 132a Black
Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 4 witho...
Part #: 3001a 34× White
Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 4 witho...
Part #: 3001a 34× Red
Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 4 witho...
Part #: 3001a 13× Black
Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 4 witho...
Part #: 3001a 34× Yellow
Brick 2 x 3 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 3 witho...
Part #: 3002a White
Brick 2 x 3 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 3 witho...
Part #: 3002a 16× Red
Brick 2 x 3 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 3 witho...
Part #: 3002a Black
Brick 2 x 3 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 3 witho...
Part #: 3002a Yellow
Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Ridges Brick 2 x 2 witho...
Part #: 3003a Yellow
Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Ridges Brick 2 x 2 witho...
Part #: 3003a 14× White
Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Ridges Brick 2 x 2 witho...
Part #: 3003a Red
Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Ridges Brick 2 x 2 witho...
Part #: 3003a Black
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Trans-Clear
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 10× Black
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Red
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Blue
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Yellow
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 10× White
Brick 1 x 1 Brick 1 x 1
Part #: 3005 14× White
Brick 1 x 1 Brick 1 x 1
Part #: 3005 Yellow
Brick 2 x 10 Brick 2 x 10
Part #: 3006 White
Brick 2 x 10 Brick 2 x 10
Part #: 3006 Yellow
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 Red
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 White
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 Blue
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 Red
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 White
Brick 1 x 6 Brick 1 x 6
Part #: 3009 Blue
Brick 1 x 6 Brick 1 x 6
Part #: 3009 Red
Brick 1 x 6 Brick 1 x 6
Part #: 3009 Yellow
Brick 1 x 6 Brick 1 x 6
Part #: 3009 White
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 Blue
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 White
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 Yellow
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 Red
Plate 4 x 6 Plate 4 x 6
Part #: 3032 White
Plate 2 x 8 Plate 2 x 8
Part #: 3034 White
Window 1 x 2 x 2 Classic, Short Lip [with Glass] Window 1 x 2 x 2 ...
Part #: 3081c01 White
Window 1 x 2 x 2 Classic, Short Lip [with Glass] Window 1 x 2 x 2 ...
Part #: 3081c01 Red
Slope 33° 3 x 4 Slope 33° 3 x 4
Part #: 3297 Red
Slope 33° 2 x 4 Double Slope 33° 2 x 4 D...
Part #: 3299 Red
Brick Arch 1 x 6 x 2 - Thick Top with Reinforced Underside Brick Arch 1 x 6 ...
Part #: 3307 Red
Door Frame 1 x 3 x 4 Door Frame 1 x 3 x 4
Part #: 3579 Red
Brick Special 1 x 1 x 2 with Shutter Holder Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 3581 White
Window 1 x 2 x 2 Shutter Window 1 x 2 x 2 ...
Part #: 3582 Blue
Window 1 x 4 x 2 Classic with Short Sill [Complete] Window 1 x 4 x 2 ...
Part #: 453cc01 Red
Window 1 x 6 x 3 Panorama with Glass and Hollow Studs Window 1 x 6 x 3 ...
Part #: 604c01 Red
Brick 10 x 20 with Bottom Tubes in single row around edge, with '+' Cross Support Brick 10 x 20 wit...
Part #: 700d Green
Wheel Old with 4 Studs Wheel Old with 4 ...
Part #: 7039 Red
Brick Special 2 x 4 with Wheel Holder Old, Clear Bottom, Red Inside Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 7049bc01 Black
Door 1 x 3 x 4 with Glass Door 1 x 3 x 4 wi...
Part #: 7930 Blue
The set contains a good selection of basic bricks in classic colors, making it useful for general building and MOC projects. The inclusion of vintage-style wheels adds to its collectible appeal.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay
✓ In Stock
$6.29
Walmart
✓ In Stock
$6.64
Target
✓ In Stock
$6.99
Amazon

💎 Notable Parts

Yellow Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports (34x) $3.40
Red Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports (34x) $3.40
White Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports (34x) $3.40
Red Brick 2 x 3 without Cross Supports (16x) $1.60
Red Wheel Old with 4 Studs (6x) $12.00
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$23.80

💡 MOC Potential

🏙 Build a vintage-style LEGO town with classic buildings and vehicles.
🏰 Create a simple medieval castle with towers and walls.
🚗 Design classic cars, trucks, and airplanes.

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Charts Inventory Statistics

26
Unique Parts
330
Total Pieces
0
Minifigures
Inventory Version: 1