How many pieces are in the Message Intercept Base?

Message Intercept Base contains 569 pieces.

When was the Message Intercept Base released?

Message Intercept Base was released in 1988.

🏛 Blacktron I

Set #6987

Message Intercept Base

Message Intercept Base is a Blacktron flagship set.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Intermediate build Perfect for LEGO enthusiasts who appreciate classic space themes and enjoy a moderately challenging build.
Build: 569 pieces · about 4.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Availability: Likely retired

★★★★☆ 4.6 community rating

Fans appreciate the nostalgia and classic Blacktron design, highlighting the modular construction and iconic minifigures. Some find the building techniques dated compared to modern sets, but the overall aesthetic and playability are well-received.

Check price on eBay

📝 Our Take

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

Message Intercept Base is a Blacktron flagship set. Released in 1988, it embodies the classic space theme with its black and yellow color scheme, modular design, and focus on playability. This set is a nostalgic trip for older LEGO fans and a cool introduction to vintage space for newer builders.

This set is perfect for collectors of classic space themes. The 575 pieces offer a satisfying building experience, and the five Blacktron minifigures make it a valuable addition to any collection. Its modular design allows for easy customization and expansion.

Skip this if you prefer modern building techniques or highly detailed models. While charming, the set lacks the sophistication of contemporary LEGO sets. Consider newer space-themed sets like those from the LEGO City or LEGO Ideas lines for a more advanced building experience.

✨ New

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🧱 Building Experience

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

🧩

569

Pieces

⏱

4.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Intermediate

Difficulty

Build Highlights:

Modular design allows for rearranging the base layout.
Incorporates classic building techniques from the late 80s.
Features a variety of slopes and hinge bricks for shaping the base.
Includes a small rover vehicle for added playability.

📈 Investment Analysis

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

Not enough price history for a trend

B+

Investment Grade

⏳ Retired

The Message Intercept Base (6987-1) presents a solid investment opportunity, driven by its status as a highly sought-after set from the classic Blacktron I theme. The set's age, coupled with its relatively high piece count and inclusion of five Blacktron minifigures, contributes to its desirability among collectors. The Blacktron theme enjoys a dedicated following, and well-preserved copies of this set command premium prices on the secondary market. However, potential investors should be mindful of the set's age, which may necessitate careful inspection for wear and tear, as well as the completeness of the set, including all minifigures and original instructions.

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

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Compared to modern LEGO space sets, the Message Intercept Base offers a simpler, more classic building experience. While newer sets boast advanced building techniques and intricate details, this set provides a nostalgic charm and a direct connection to LEGO's space heritage. If you're looking for a complex and highly detailed space model, consider sets from the LEGO Ideas or Star Wars themes. However, if you appreciate vintage LEGO design and the Blacktron theme, this set is a worthwhile addition to your collection.

5 Minifigures Included

Blacktron I (3626a Head)

5x included

The set includes five Blacktron I minifigures, all with the classic black uniform and yellow visors. These minifigures are highly collectible and contribute significantly to the set's overall value.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 569
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 131 unique parts, 545 pieces
Minifigures: 5

LEGO counts 569 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 575, including the 30 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. 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.

Brick Arch 1 x 5 ...

Part #: 2339 2× Black

Equipment Control...

Part #: 2342 2× Black

Panel 3 x 3 x 6 C...

Part #: 2345 3× Black

Panel 1 x 2 x 3 -...

Part #: 2362a 2× Trans-Yellow

Wedge Plate 10 x ...

Part #: 2401 3× Black

Panel 10 x 6 x 11...

Part #: 2408pr0002 2× Black

Panel 10 x 10 x 1...

Part #: 2409 1× Trans-Yellow

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412a 1× Black

Wedge Plate 3 x 6...

Part #: 2419 2× Yellow

Plate 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2420 3× Black

Technic Rack Wind...

Part #: 2426c01 2× Black

Technic Rack 1 x ...

Part #: 2428 2× Yellow

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 4× Black

Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...

Part #: 2436 2× Black

Panel 3 x 2 x 5 2/3

Part #: 2448 1× Trans-Yellow

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 2449 4× Black

Wedge Plate 3 x 3...

Part #: 2450 4× Black

Hinge Plate 1 x 2...

Part #: 2452 2× Black

Brick 1 x 1 x 5 w...

Part #: 2453a 1× Black

Brick 1 x 16

Part #: 2465 6× Black

Panel 3 x 2 x 6

Part #: 2466 10× Black

Panel 3 x 2 x 6

Part #: 2466 3× Trans-Yellow

Panel 4 x 4 x 6 C...

Part #: 2467 2× Black

Panel 3 x 3 x 6 C...

Part #: 2468 3× Trans-Yellow

Support 6 x 6 x 1...

Part #: 2681 2× Black

Lever Small Base ...

Part #: 298c01 6× Black

Brick 2 x 2

Part #: 3003 10× Black

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 15× Black

Brick 1 x 1

Part #: 3005 7× Black

Brick 1 x 8

Part #: 3008 3× Black

Brick 1 x 6

Part #: 3009 7× Black

Brick 1 x 4

Part #: 3010 2× Black

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 4× Black

Plate 2 x 4

Part #: 3020 1× Yellow

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 2× Black

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 16× Black

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 10× Yellow

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 3× Yellow

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 14× Black

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 8× Trans-Red

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 2× Yellow

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 5× Black

Plate 6 x 12

Part #: 3028 1× Black

Plate 4 x 10

Part #: 3030 1× Black

Plate 4 x 4

Part #: 3031 2× Black

Plate 4 x 6

Part #: 3032 1× Trans-Yellow

Plate 4 x 6

Part #: 3032 3× Black

Plate 2 x 8

Part #: 3034 2× Black

Plate 4 x 8

Part #: 3035 2× Yellow

Plate 6 x 8

Part #: 3036 1× Black

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3039 3× Black

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3039pr9995 3× Black

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3040b 15× Black

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 3040bpr0008 3× Black

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 2× Black

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 3062b 11× Trans-Red

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068b 2× Yellow

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068b 2× Black

Tile 2 x 2 with Y...

Part #: 3068bpr0021 1× Black

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 3× Black

Tile 1 x 2 with S...

Part #: 3069bpr0039 5× Yellow

Tile 1 x 2 with A...

Part #: 3069bpr9981 2× Black

Tile 1 x 1 with R...

Part #: 3070bpr0031 2× Yellow

Plate 1 x 8

Part #: 3460 1× Black

Tail 4 x 2 x 2

Part #: 3479 1× Black

Brick 1 x 3

Part #: 3622 11× Black

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 18× Black

Fence Lattice 1 x...

Part #: 3633 6× Yellow

Fence Lattice 1 x...

Part #: 3633 4× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3660 12× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3665 11× Black

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 3× Black

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3679 5× Light Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3680 5× Black

Brick Sloped 75° ...

Part #: 3684 2× Black

Technic Brick 1 x...

Part #: 3700 2× Black

Technic Axle 12

Part #: 3708 1× Black

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 11× Black

Technic Axle 10

Part #: 3737 1× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 3747a 9× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 3794a 12× Black

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 3× Black

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 1× Yellow

Baseplate 32 x 32

Part #: 3811 1× Light Gray

Hinge Brick 1 x 4...

Part #: 3830 1× Black

Hinge Brick 1 x 4...

Part #: 3831 1× Black

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 3× Black

Wedge, Plate 8 x ...

Part #: 3933a 1× Black

Wedge Plate 8 x 4...

Part #: 3934a 1× Black

Wedge Plate 4 x 4...

Part #: 3935 1× Black

Wedge Plate 4 x 4...

Part #: 3936 2× Black

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3937 9× Black

Hinge Brick 1 x 2...

Part #: 3938 9× Black

Cone 2 x 2 x 2, O...

Part #: 3942c 2× Yellow

Baseplate Raised ...

Part #: 3947a 1× Light Gray

Bracket 2 x 2 - 2...

Part #: 3956 1× Black

Antenna 1 x 4 wit...

Part #: 3957a 2× Yellow

Antenna 1 x 4 wit...

Part #: 3957a 9× Trans-Red

Weapon Gun / Torc...

Part #: 3959 3× Black

Dish 4 x 4 Invert...

Part #: 3960 2× Yellow

Dish 8 x 8 Invert...

Part #: 3961 1× Black

Equipment Radio [...

Part #: 3962a 1× Black

Tool Screwdriver ...

Part #: 4006 1× Black

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4070 6× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4081b 2× Black

Bar 1 x 4 x 2 wit...

Part #: 4083 2× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4085b 5× Yellow

Tile 1 x 8 with G...

Part #: 4162 4× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4175 2× Black

Hinge Vehicle Roo...

Part #: 4213 2× Black

Panel 1 x 4 x 3 [...

Part #: 4215a 1× Trans-Yellow

Engine, Strakes, ...

Part #: 4229 2× Black

Hinge Plate 1 x 2...

Part #: 4276b 2× Black

Plate 2 x 16

Part #: 4282 3× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 4287a 5× Black

Wheel Balloon wit...

Part #: 4288 4× Black

Box 2 x 2 x 2 [So...

Part #: 4345a 1× Black

Box 2 x 2 x 2 Doo...

Part #: 4346 1× Black

Equipment Weapon,...

Part #: 4349 2× Black

Equipment Camera ...

Part #: 4360 1× Black

Brick Sloped 75° ...

Part #: 4460a 6× Black

Support 2 x 4 x 5...

Part #: 4476b 14× Black

Equipment Metal D...

Part #: 4479 1× Black

Brick Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 4588 1× Trans-Red

Cone 1 x 1 [No To...

Part #: 4589 1× Trans-Red

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4590 5× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4596 2× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4596 2× Yellow

Bracket 3 x 2 - 2...

Part #: 4598 1× Yellow

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 4600 2× Black

Wheel 8 x 6

Part #: 4624 4× Yellow

Hinge Tile 1 x 4

Part #: 4625 2× Black

Bracket 8 x 2 x 1...

Part #: 4732 1× Black

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4733 4× Black

Bar 1 x 3 [Clip /...

Part #: 4735 2× Black

Panel 4 x 4 x 6 C...

Part #: 4737 2× Black

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 11× Trans-Red

Dish 2 x 2 Invert...

Part #: 4740 2× Black

Wedge Plate 3 x 4...

Part #: 4859 1× Black

Panel 1 x 2 x 2 [...

Part #: 4864a 1× Black

Brick Sloped Inve...

Part #: 4871 1× Black

Bar 1 x 6 [Open S...

Part #: 4873 4× Black

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Trans-Red

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Black

Flexible Hose 8.5...

Part #: 73590c01b 3× Yellow

Technic Universal...

Part #: 9244 1× Light Gray

The set features a high concentration of black plates and slopes, providing a versatile parts pack for MOC builders interested in creating their own space-themed creations. The trans-red elements add a pop of color and are useful for detailing and lighting effects.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay

Search listings

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💎 Notable Parts

Black Plate 1 x 3 (18x) $0.90

Black Support 2 x 4 x 5 Stanchion Inclined [5mm wide posts] (14x) $2.80

Trans-Red Dish 2 x 2 Inverted [Radar] (11x) $2.20

Black Panel 3 x 2 x 6 (10x) $3.00

Trans-Red Antenna 1 x 4 with Rounded Top (9x) $3.60

Est. BrickLink Part Value

$12.50

💡 MOC Potential

🚀 Blacktron-themed spaceship or shuttle

🏙 Expanded Blacktron base with multiple modules

🚗 Larger Blacktron rover or transport vehicle

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

Based on 10 videos

3.2 /5

Mixed

10% positive

BlockTalk AI

The LEGO Blacktron Message Intercept Base (6987) from 1988 receives generally neutral reviews, with Vintage Bricks standing out as particularly positive, calling it a "stunning build." Reviewers like JANG's LEGO Reviews offer unscripted, independent fan perspectives on the set.

Retro LEGO | All Blacktron Sets Ranked!

Kelton Davis • 33.0K views Review

LEGO® Space Blacktron I Set 6987 Message Intercept Base (1988) Review

For Bricks and Giggles • 4.5K views Review

LEGO Blacktron Message Intercept Base! Set 6987 from 1988

Rebel Builder • 3.6K views Review

Community Sentiment

Based on 10 YouTube reviews

Not enough Reddit data

YouTube

3.2 /5

Mixed

10% positive

Positive

Mixed

Critical

BlockTalk AI Analysis

What the Community Says

5 YouTube reviews

BlockTalk AI Summary

Reviewers such as Rebel Builder and For Bricks and Giggles showcase the set's features and building experience, contributing to the online discussion of the classic Blacktron theme. Kelton Davis places the set within the broader context of Blacktron sets, ranking them among other LEGO Space offerings.