Live from the Outback!
Get the Crisis News Crew on the scene

Report the action with this classic 1997 set, featuring a news van, helicopter, and 3 minifigures ready to capture the story!

🏛 Outback
Set #6553

Crisis News Crew

Crisis News Crew is a charming slice of 90s LEGO town life.

🏆 Best For: Perfect for kids and adult LEGO City fans who enjoy classic designs ⏱ 1.5 hr build 🧩 136 pcs
★★★★☆ 4.2 from 4 reviews

Fans appreciate the set's nostalgic charm and its perfect representation of a 90s news crew. Some find the build simple, but the overall design and minifigure selection are well-received.

MSRP
$11.99
Best Price
$22.99
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📝 Our Take

Crisis News Crew is a charming slice of 90s LEGO town life. This set captures the essence of a mobile news team perfectly, complete with a satellite dish-equipped vehicle and a dedicated camera operator. The bright colors and functional design make it instantly appealing.

This set is perfect for LEGO City enthusiasts and collectors of vintage themes. It offers a quick and enjoyable building experience and adds a unique touch to any LEGO town display. Its manageable size makes it easy to integrate into existing layouts.

Skip this if you're looking for complex building techniques or advanced features. This set is relatively simple in its construction and design. Consider more modern City vehicles if you want more sophisticated builds.

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🧱 Building Experience

🧩
136
Pieces
1.5h
Build Time
📊
Beginner
Difficulty
Build Highlights:
  • Simple and straightforward build
  • Functional vehicle design with opening doors
  • Inclusion of a satellite dish for added realism
  • Easy integration into LEGO City layouts

📈 Investment Analysis

→ Price stable
B
Investment Grade
⏳ Active
Crisis News Crew offers moderate investment potential. Its age (released in 1997) and relatively low piece count make it accessible to collectors. The Outback theme has a nostalgic appeal, and complete sets in good condition are likely to appreciate over time. However, its widespread availability might limit significant price increases. Keep an eye on demand and condition when considering it as an investment.

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 City vehicles, the Crisis News Crew is simpler in design but offers a nostalgic charm. Sets like the 60385-1 Buggy and Farmer's Market offer more advanced building techniques and contemporary features, but the Crisis News Crew stands out with its classic 90s aesthetic and affordable price point.

2 Minifigures Included

The set includes three minifigures: two identical male reporters and a female reporter. The reporters' torsos with the TV logo are unique to this set and add to its collectible appeal.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 63 unique parts • 123 total pieces

Wedge 3 x 4 [No Stud Notches] Wedge 3 x 4 [No S...
Part #: 2399 Blue
Propeller 3 Blade Small Propeller 3 Blade...
Part #: 2421 Black
Hinge Bar with 3 Fingers and End Stud (Control Lever) Hinge Bar with 3 ...
Part #: 2433 Black
Propeller 4 Blade 5 Diameter with Rounded Ends, Open Hub Propeller 4 Blade...
Part #: 2479 Black
Tile Special 1 x 1 with Clip and Straight Tips Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2555 Red
Tile Special 1 x 1 with Clip and Straight Tips Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2555 Black
Brick Special 1 x 2 with Grille Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 2877 White
Wheel 8 x 9 with Round Hole for Wheel Holder Pin Wheel 8 x 9 with ...
Part #: 30027a White
Tyre 14 x 9 Smooth Small Wide Slick Tyre 14 x 9 Smoot...
Part #: 30028 Black
Plate Special 1 x 4 with Bar Down Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 30043 Black
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 Blue
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Blue
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 White
Plate 2 x 3 Plate 2 x 3
Part #: 3021 Light Gray
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Light Gray
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 Blue
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 Red
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 Trans-Red
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 Trans-Yellow
Slope 45° 2 x 4 Slope 45° 2 x 4
Part #: 3037 Blue
Slope 45° 2 x 2 with Flight Control Print Slope 45° 2 x 2 w...
Part #: 3039pr9969 Light Gray
Slope 45° 2 x 1 with Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 w...
Part #: 3040b Red
Brick Round 1 x 1 Open Stud Brick Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 3062b Black
Tile 1 x 2 with Video Tape and Reels Print Tile 1 x 2 with V...
Part #: 3069bpr0020 Light Gray
Tile 1 x 1 with TV Globe Logo Print Tile 1 x 1 with T...
Part #: 3070bpr0035 White
Plate Special 3 x 2 with Rounded End, Hole Plate Special 3 x...
Part #: 3176 Black
Slope 33° 3 x 2 Slope 33° 3 x 2
Part #: 3298 White
Plate 1 x 8 Plate 1 x 8
Part #: 3460 Light Gray
Plate 1 x 3 Plate 1 x 3
Part #: 3623 Black
Slope Inverted 45° 2 x 1 Slope Inverted 45...
Part #: 3665 White
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 White
Plate Special 1 x 2 with 1 Stud without Groove (Jumper) Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 3794a White
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 Red
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 Black
Door 1 x 3 x 1 Right Door 1 x 3 x 1 Right
Part #: 3821 Blue
Door 1 x 3 x 1 Left Door 1 x 3 x 1 Left
Part #: 3822 Blue
Windscreen 2 x 4 x 2 Windscreen 2 x 4 x 2
Part #: 3823 Trans-Light Blue
Steering Stand 1 x 2 with Black Steering Wheel Steering Stand 1 ...
Part #: 3829c01 Red
Plate 2 x 10 Plate 2 x 10
Part #: 3832 Black
Antenna 1 x 4 with Rounded Top Antenna 1 x 4 wit...
Part #: 3957a Black
Dish 4 x 4 Inverted [Radar] Dish 4 x 4 Invert...
Part #: 3960 White
Brick Special 1 x 1 with Headlight Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 4070 Black
Vehicle Base 4 x 5 with Wheel Arches, 2 x 2 Opening Vehicle Base 4 x ...
Part #: 4211 White
Hinge Vehicle Roof 4 x 4 Hinge Vehicle Roo...
Part #: 4213 White
Hinge Vehicle Roof Holder 1 x 4 x 2 Hinge Vehicle Roo...
Part #: 4214 Blue
Panel 1 x 4 x 3 [Hollow Studs] Panel 1 x 4 x 3 [...
Part #: 4215b Blue
Hinge Vehicle Roof Holder 1 x 4 Hinge Vehicle Roo...
Part #: 4315 White
Equipment Weapon, Loudhailer / Speaker / Blaster / Space Gun Equipment Weapon,...
Part #: 4349 White
Equipment Camera with Side Sight [aka Space Gun] Equipment Camera ...
Part #: 4360 Black
Plate 1 x 10 Plate 1 x 10
Part #: 4477 White
Plate 1 x 10 Plate 1 x 10
Part #: 4477 Black
Plate Special 2 x 2 with Wheel Holder Plate Special 2 x...
Part #: 4488 Red
Hinge Tile 1 x 2 1/2 with 2 Fingers on Top Hinge Tile 1 x 2 ...
Part #: 4531 Light Gray
Brick Special 1 x 2 x 2/3 with Studs on Sides Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 4595 Black
Plate Special 2 x 2 with Wheel Holders Plate Special 2 x...
Part #: 4600 Light Gray
Plate Special 1 x 2 with Bar Up [Horizontal Arm 6mm] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 4623 Black
Hinge Tile 1 x 4 Hinge Tile 1 x 4
Part #: 4625 White
Brick Special 2 x 2 No Studs, Top Pin Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 4729 White
Bar 1 x 3 [Clip / Anti-Stud] Bar 1 x 3 [Clip /...
Part #: 4735 Black
Dish 2 x 2 Inverted [Radar] Dish 2 x 2 Invert...
Part #: 4740 Trans-Dark Blue
Dish 2 x 2 Inverted [Radar] Dish 2 x 2 Invert...
Part #: 4740 Black
Slope Inverted 45° 4 x 4 Double with 4 x 2 Recessed Slope Inverted 45...
Part #: 4854 White
Wedge Sloped Inverted 4 x 4 Triple [2 Connections between Front Studs] Wedge Sloped Inve...
Part #: 4855 White
Wedge Sloped Inverted 6 x 4 with 2 Stud Connections Wedge Sloped Inve...
Part #: 4856a Black
Wedge Sloped 4 x 4 Taper with TV Logo Print Wedge Sloped 4 x ...
Part #: 4858pr0002 Blue
Wedge Plate 3 x 4 without Stud Notches Wedge Plate 3 x 4...
Part #: 4859 White
Wedge Plate 3 x 4 without Stud Notches Wedge Plate 3 x 4...
Part #: 4859 Black
Panel 1 x 2 x 2 [Solid Studs] Panel 1 x 2 x 2 [...
Part #: 4864a Blue
Panel 1 x 2 x 2 [Solid Studs] Panel 1 x 2 x 2 [...
Part #: 4864a Trans-Light Blue
Bar 1 x 6 [Closed Studs] Bar 1 x 6 [Closed...
Part #: 6140 Light Gray
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Trans-Clear
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Trans-Red
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Trans-Green
Sticker Sheet for Set 6553-1 Sticker Sheet for...
Part #: 71472 [No Color/Any Color]
The set contains a good selection of basic bricks and plates in white, blue, and light gray, useful for general building. The printed video tape tiles are a nice touch and are desirable for adding detail to LEGO City layouts.

💎 Notable Parts

Light Gray Tile 1 x 2 with Video Tape and Reels Print (3x) $2.25
White Vehicle Base 4 x 5 with Wheel Arches, 2 x 2 Opening (2x) $3.00
Trans-Light Blue Windscreen 2 x 4 x 2 (2x) $4.00
White Hinge Vehicle Roof 4 x 4 (3x) $1.50
Black Brick Special 1 x 1 with Headlight (2x) $0.60
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$11.35

💡 MOC Potential

🚗 Convert the news van into a mobile repair truck
🏙 Expand the set into a larger news station diorama
🚀 Rebuild the vehicle as a support vehicle for a space exploration team

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Charts Inventory Statistics

63
Unique Parts
123
Total Pieces
3
Minifigures
Inventory Version: 1