LEGO Sets 1996: Every Set Released in 1996

In 1996, LEGO releases 121 sets across 19 themes, led by Town (22 sets) and Duplo (18). Sets average 260 pieces, and the largest model, 9287 Bonus Lego Basic Town, has 2,542.

121 sets and 19 themes in 1996

The year 1996 brings together 121 sets across 19 themes. Town comes first with 22 sets, ahead of Duplo (18), Technic (10), Universal Building Set (9), Space (7) and Freestyle (7). Pirates has 6 sets, while Time Cruisers, Service Packs, Belville, Western and Educational and Dacta have 5 each.

Two themes make their debut this year: Time Cruisers and Western. On the minifigure side, only one character appears for the first time, the Driver.

Models from 30 to 2,542 pieces

A set averages 260 pieces in 1996, compared with 215 the year before and 389 across the whole catalog. The top spot goes to 9287 Bonus Lego Basic Town with 2,542 pieces, followed by 5571 Giant Truck (1,746), 8480 Space Shuttle (1,366) and 9290 Thematic Builder Set (1,247). Trains hold their own too, with 4565 Freight and Crane Railway (918 pieces) and 4559 Cargo Railway (847).

At the other end, 5131 Hinges, Couplings, Turntables has only 30 pieces, 6232 Skeleton Crew 31 and 1847 Freestyle Set 33.

Black and white lead the palette, one big set per theme

Black accounts for 26% of the pieces, ahead of White (18%), Light Gray (13%), Red (12%), Yellow (11%) and Blue (9%).

Each major theme has its own biggest set: 6598 Metro PD Station (568 pieces) for Town, 8480 Space Shuttle (1,366) for Technic, 6982 Explorien Starship (663) for Space, 6289 Red Beard Runner (711) for Pirates, 6494 Mystic Mountain Time Lab (512) for Time Cruisers and 5895 Villa Belville (339) for Belville. Duplo tops out with 2356 Jumbo Tub (Zoo Tub), at 109 pieces.

1996 in figures

Number of sets	121
Themes represented	19
Theme with most sets	Town (22 sets)
Total pieces	31,444
Average pieces per set	260
Average in 1995	215
Largest set	9287 Bonus Lego Basic Town (2,542 pieces)
Themes launched this year	2
Characters debuting this year	1

The largest sets of 1996

Set	Theme	Pieces
9287 Bonus Lego Basic Town	Educational and Dacta	2,542
5571 Giant Truck	Model Team	1,746
8480 Space Shuttle	Technic	1,366
9290 Thematic Builder Set	Educational and Dacta	1,247
1857 Basic Bricks	Universal Building Set	950
1776 Large Bulk Bucket	Universal Building Set	950

Dominant colors

Color breakdown of the pieces across all sets released in 1996, minifigures included.

Color	Pieces	Share
Black	8,072	26%
White	5,621	18%
Light Gray	4,093	13%
Red	3,701	12%
Yellow	3,520	11%
Blue	2,760	8.8%
Green	817	2.6%
Brown	720	2.3%

Themes launched in 1996

These themes have their first sets released in 1996: Time Cruisers and Western.

Characters debuting in 1996

Minifigure characters whose very first set is released in 1996, from most to least common.

DriverSpeed Champions · 3 sets

Town 22 sets

Duplo 18 sets

Technic 10 sets

Universal Building Set 9 sets

Space 7 sets

Freestyle 7 sets

Pirates 6 sets

Time Cruisers 5 sets

Service Packs 5 sets

Belville 5 sets

Western 5 sets

Educational and Dacta 5 sets

Aquazone 4 sets

Train 4 sets

Boat 3 sets

Castle 3 sets

Promotional 1 set

1660 Kronprins Frederik Ferry1996 · 165 pieces

Primo 1 set

2004 Jumbo Building Tub1996 · 50 pieces

Model Team 1 set

3D5571 Giant Truck1996 · 1,746 pieces

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of models are among the biggest sets of 1996?

They include vehicles and trains, such as 5571 Giant Truck, 8480 Space Shuttle, 4565 Freight and Crane Railway and 4559 Cargo Railway. Large buckets and free-building boxes appear as well, with 9287 Bonus Lego Basic Town, 9290 Thematic Builder Set and 1776 Large Bulk Bucket.

How does the average set size change compared with 1995?

The average rises from 215 pieces per set in 1995 to 260 in 1996. It remains below the 389-piece average of the whole catalog.

What are the smallest sets of 1996?

5131 Hinges, Couplings, Turntables comes last with 30 pieces, followed by 6232 Skeleton Crew (31 pieces). 1847 Freestyle Set, 2321 Happy Birthday Building Set and 2791 Playground each have 33 pieces.

Which colors dominate the pieces of 1996?

Black leads with 26% of the pieces, then White with 18% and Light Gray with 13%. Red (12%), Yellow (11%) and Blue (9%) round out the palette.

What is the largest LEGO set released in 1996?

It is 9287 Bonus Lego Basic Town, from the Educational and Dacta theme: 2,542 pieces.

Which theme has the most sets in 1996?

Town: 22 sets, more than any other theme that year.

Which LEGO themes are launched in 1996?

The first sets of these themes are released in 1996: Time Cruisers and Western.