How many pieces are in the Time Tunnelator?

Time Tunnelator contains 81 pieces.

What age is the Time Tunnelator recommended for?

This set is recommended for ages 7-12.

When was the Time Tunnelator released?

Time Tunnelator was released in 1997.

🏛 Time Cruisers

Set #6495

Time Tunnelator

Time Tunnelator is a wild blast from the mid-90s Time Cruisers aesthetic.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Ages 7+ · Beginner build Perfect for nostalgic fans of 90s LEGO and collectors of classic retro-futuristic themes
Build: 81 pieces · about 0.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Price: $9.99 list price · 12.3¢ per piece
Availability: Likely retired

★★★☆☆ 3.7 community rating

Fans adore the wonderfully chaotic 90s nostalgia and unique chrome pieces, though the fragile construction and unconventional aesthetic won't appeal to everyone.

$9.99

Best Price

$8.99

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📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

Time Tunnelator is a wild blast from the mid-90s Time Cruisers aesthetic. With its quirky mix of chrome gold, trans-neon orange, and zany retro-futuristic vehicle design, this set captures the wonderfully chaotic energy of LEGO's classic theme.

This set is perfect for nostalgic 90s kids and retro LEGO collectors. It offers a fun, quick trip down memory lane and displays that eccentric, gear-heavy charm that makes Time Cruisers so delightfully distinct.

Skip this if you prefer modern, streamlined building techniques and cohesive color palettes. The build is chaotic and parts usage is very specific to the era, so modern MOC builders might find limited crossover utility.

✨ New

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What makes Time Cruisers sets so distinct from other 90s LEGO themes? How rare are the chrome gold bugle pieces included in this set? Is the Time Tunnelator a good entry point for collecting the Time Cruisers theme? How does the secondary market value of 6495 compare to other sets from 1997?

🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

🧩

Pieces

⏱

0.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Beginner

Difficulty

👤

7-12

Ages

Build Highlights:

Quirky mechanical gear functions characteristic of Time Cruisers
Vibrant trans-neon orange elements that pop on display
Includes classic chrome gold musical instrument pieces
Features unique printed sail elements with spider web graphics

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

↑ Trending up since release

Investment Grade

⏳ Retired

Time Cruisers occupies a unique, somewhat polarizing niche in LEGO history, making sets like the Time Tunnelator interesting secondary market curiosities. While it was a modest impulse-to-medium set back in 1997, its distinct brand of 90s madness has built a dedicated cult following among retro collectors. At a current market price hovering around $50 compared to its original $9.99 MSRP, the set has already seen solid appreciation driven by nostalgic demand and scarcity of complete vintage sets. For investors, sealed or complete-in-box specimens hold steady appeal, though its niche theme means liquidity is lower than heavy-hitters like Star Wars or Castle.

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

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

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Time Cruisers • 110 pcs

$14.99

Hypno Cruiser

Time Cruisers • 268 pcs

$39.99

Flying Time Vessel

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$24.99

Compared to larger Time Cruisers sets like the Time Hopper or Hypno Cruiser, the Time Tunnelator is a smaller, more accessible slice of the theme's bizarre aesthetic. While it lacks the massive gearboxes of flagship sets, it delivers a high concentration of the theme's signature color palette and quirky accessories at a lower barrier to entry.

1 Minifigure Included

Time Twisters - Black Torso, Dark Gray Legs

5 parts

Includes a classic Time Twisters pilot featuring a striking printed torso and dark gray legs, capturing the villainous faction's signature look from the sub-theme.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 81
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 46 unique parts, 76 pieces
Minifigures: 1

The official piece count includes the 5 parts inside the set's minifigures, which this inventory lists separately. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 1× Blue

Part #: 2489 2× Brown

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2555 4× Black

Wheel Holder, Pla...

Part #: 2655 1× Light Gray

Technic Slope Sho...

Part #: 2743 2× Black

Technic Wedge Bel...

Part #: 2815 2× Black

Propeller 2 Blade...

Part #: 2952 1× Light Gray

Motor Pulley, 9V ...

Part #: 2983 1× Light Gray

Animal, Bat

Part #: 30103 2× Black

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 1× Black

Part #: 3023 1× Black

Technic Link 1 x ...

Part #: 32005b 2× Dark Gray

Wheel Centre Smal...

Part #: 3464 1× Red

Tail 4 x 2 x 2

Part #: 3479 2× Black

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 2× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3700 2× Black

Technic Axle 4

Part #: 3705 1× Black

Technic Axle 8

Part #: 3707 1× Black

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 1× Light Gray

Technic Bush

Part #: 3713 3× Light Gray

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 3730 2× Blue

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3794a 1× Light Gray

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 1× Black

Steering Stand 1 ...

Part #: 3829c01 1× Blue

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 1× Black

Weapon Lance

Part #: 3849 2× Light Gray

Bracket 2 x 2 - 2...

Part #: 3956 2× Blue

Bar 1 x 4 x 2 wit...

Part #: 4083 1× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4085c 1× Blue

Technic Wedge Bel...

Part #: 4185 2× Brown

Technic Bush 1/2 ...

Part #: 4265b 2× Light Gray

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 5× Trans-Neon Orange

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 2× Trans-Neon Orange

Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [...

Part #: 4865a 1× Trans-Light Blue

Bar 12L with Open...

Part #: 6076 2× Dark Gray

Wave / Flame Roun...

Part #: 6126a 1× Trans-Neon Orange

Creature Body Par...

Part #: 6133 1× Black

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Black

Technic Pin with ...

Part #: 6628 2× Black

Musical Instrumen...

Part #: 71342 2× Chrome Gold

Sail, Triangular,...

Part #: 71637pr0005 2× Trans-Clear

Technic Rubber Be...

Part #: 85546 1× Yellow

Packed with nostalgic 90s specialties including trans-neon orange elements, rare chrome gold bugles, and printed web sails that make it a fun parts pack for retro enthusiasts.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay

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💎 Notable Parts

Trans-Neon Orange Cone 1 x 1 [No Top Groove] (5x) $1.50

Chrome Gold Musical Instrument Bugle (2x) $4.00

Trans-Clear Sail, Triangular, 6 x 12 with Spider Web Print (2x) $6.00

Dark Gray Bar 12L with Open Stud, Towball, and Top Slit [Boat Mast] (2x) $2.50

Est. BrickLink Part Value

$14.00

💡 MOC Potential

🚗 Mad-scientist retro time machines and steampunk-inspired contraptions

🤖 Bizarre alien gadgets and futuristic laboratory equipment

🚢 Whimsical flying vessels utilizing the included sails and radar dishes

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📖 Building Instructions 1

BUILDING INSTR. 6495/6499 IN

Download PDF

Inventory Statistics

Unique Parts

Official Piece Count

Cataloged Inventory Pieces

Minifigures

Spare Parts

The official piece count includes the 5 parts inside the set's minifigures, which this inventory lists separately. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Inventory Version: 1

Missing a piece? Use the Missing Piece Checker.