LEGO 003 Samsonite Master Mechanic Set

Name: LEGO Samsonite Master Mechanic Set
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 003-1
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.80 (45 reviews)

LEGO 003 Master Mechanic Set is a vintage Samsonite set from 1966 valued at $1,212 for new and sealed sets, up 6652% from an original retail price of $17.95. Annual appreciation has averaged 7.28% since release. On the used market, values range from $960 to $1,089 based on condition.

Master Mechanic Set Value (New/Sealed)

This represents the current new/sealed value of the set Master Mechanic Set since January 1966. Medium accuracy

LEGO 003-1 Master Mechanic Set is a Samsonite Basic Set released in 1966, containing 418 pieces. Marketed in two storage trays, it includes a 4.5V electric motor, a 4.5V battery box, gears, wheels, and a selection of early bricks and slopes. The set features Samsonite-branded gear elements and smooth solid tires typical of the era’s parts. It was manufactured by Samsonite and sold exclusively in the United States and Canada. Based on current trends, this set could be valued near $1,293 within the next year.

Master Mechanic Set (003-1) is an exceptionally old and rare LEGO set. It has not been available online or in retail stores in good/new condition for over 2 years. Due to its rarity, the estimated value in sealed condition of $1,212.02 may understate its true worth, assuming one can even be found for sale. Since this set was released in 1966, finding it sealed and well-preserved is exceptionally difficult—making complete sets with intact boxes museum-grade collectibles.

There are currently no new/sealed listings available for Master Mechanic Set at this time.

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Compared with other Basic Set sets

#30 of 68

By growth since retail, +6,652%

+1,275%+59,297%

In the top half of the group.

$2.90 a piece

New and sealed value per piece

This set

$2.90

Typical

$1.24

About twice the group's typical value per piece.

Top sets by growth		Year	Since retail
1	805-2 3 Little Indians	1964	+59,297%
2	806-2 Cowboy & Pony	1964	+51,473%
3	802-3 Player Piano	1964	+29,702%
30	003 Master Mechanic Set	1966	+6,652%

Master Mechanic Set Questions

What is the current value of LEGO 003 Master Mechanic Set?

A new, sealed copy of Master Mechanic Set is worth about $1,212 today. A used copy in good condition goes for about $1,006.

Is LEGO 003 Master Mechanic Set retired?

Yes. Master Mechanic Set is retired. New copies now come only from the secondary market, where sellers on eBay and BrickLink set the price.

How much has LEGO 003 Master Mechanic Set gone up in value?

Master Mechanic Set is now worth 6,652% more than its $17.95 retail price, or roughly 7.3% a year on average. That matches the Basic Set average of 6.8% a year closely.

What will LEGO 003 Master Mechanic Set be worth next year?

BrickEconomy's forecast, built on its long-run growth, puts Master Mechanic Set near $1,293 in twelve months, about 7% more than today. Forecasts are estimates, not guarantees.

How many pieces are in LEGO 003 Master Mechanic Set?

The set contains 418 pieces, or $0.04 per piece at retail.

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Set Details

Set number

003-1

Name

Master Mechanic Set

Theme

Samsonite

Subtheme

Basic Set

Year

1966

Availability

Retired

Pieces

418 (PPP $0.04)

Set Pricing

Retail price

$17.95

New/Sealed

Value

$1,212.02

Growth

+6652.20%

Annual growth

+7.28%

90-day change

2.29%

Used

Value

$1,005.98

Range

$960.03 - $1,089.20

Quick Buy

eBay

Buy

Typical price

$1,212.02

BrickLink

Check

*Listings are for new/sealed sets.

Set Predictions

New/Sealed

Today's value

$1,212.02

1 year forecast

$1,293.18+6.70%

5 year forecast

$1,548.43+27.76%

$1,504

$1,590

003 Master Mechanic Set is projected to be valued between $1,504 - $1,590 within five years.

Insights

Released in the 1960s and retired, the Master Mechanic Set, a Samsonite Basic Set with early battery motor and gear elements, draws interest from vintage engineering collectors for its pioneering mechanics, and its very limited sealed supply improves long-term desirability while trading remains thin and condition-sensitive.

Set Facts

The set is only available in the United States and Canada and is manufactured by Samsonite.
The set features a wide range of parts stored in two trays, including a motor, battery housing, gears, and wheels.
Gear models can operate automatically using the included motor and battery housing.
From the LEGO Samsonite catalog - "Wide range of parts in two storage trays. Includes motor, battery housing, (gear models will work automatically) gears, wheels."

Master Mechanic Set Reviews

45 ratings

4.8

Collectors

Investors

Subtheme Analysis

Samsonite / Basic Set

Sets

Years

1961 - 1975

Annual growth

+6.78% (this set +7.28%)

This set's annual growth (CAGR) vs. subtheme

Community Stats

Master Mechanic Set currently ranks #5 out of the top most owned sets in Samsonite Basic Set.

#1Gears

#2Small Basic Set

#3Medium Basic Set

#4Wheel Set

#5Master Mechanic Set

#6Deluxe Basic Set

#7Small Basic Set

#84.5V Samsonite Gears Motor Set

About Samsonite Basic Set

These are the basic brick sets sold in North America by Samsonite, the luggage maker, which held the LEGO licence there from 1961. Samsonite made the ordinary bricks itself, first at its factory in Stratford, Ontario, while the special parts came over from Billund, and in 1965 it opened a plant in Loveland, Colorado, used only for LEGO.

Basic Set consists of 82 sets that ran from 1961 to 1975. As of today, 080-2 Ambassador Set is the most valuable Basic Set set with an estimated new/factory sealed value of $3,550.

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	704-2 Master Discovery Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 704 Availability Retired Buy this set at BrickLink	Retail $24.99 Value $629.09 Growth +2417.4% Annual growth 5.5% I own this set I want this set

	004 Master Builder Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 670 Availability Retired Buy this set at BrickLink	Retail $19.95 Value $600.40 Growth +2909.5% Annual growth 5.8% I own this set I want this set

	835 Advanced Builders Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 565 Availability Retired Buy this set at BrickLink	Retail $10.00 I own this set I want this set

	565 Piece Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 565 Availability Retired	Retail $9.99 Value $622.67 Growth +6132.9% Annual growth 7.1% I own this set I want this set

	375 Deluxe Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 375 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay BrickLink	Retail $8.95 Value $514.88 Growth +5652.8% Annual growth 7.0% I own this set I want this set

	324 Piece Medium Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 324 Availability Retired	Retail $6.22 I own this set I want this set

	301-2 Wheel Toy Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 301 Availability Retired Buy this set at BrickLink	Retail $6.22 Value $520.49 Growth +8268.0% Annual growth 7.7% I own this set I want this set

	285 Medium Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 285 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay BrickLink	Retail $6.95 Value $381.95 Growth +5395.7% Annual growth 6.9% I own this set I want this set

	224 Piece Explorer Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 224 Availability Retired	Retail $5.55 I own this set I want this set

	205-3 Small Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 205 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay BrickLink	Retail $4.95 Value $372.81 Growth +7431.5% Annual growth 3.7% I own this set I want this set

	021 Wheel Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 185 Availability Retired Buy this set at BrickLink	Retail $4.95 Value $352.95 Growth +7030.3% Annual growth 7.4% I own this set I want this set

	151 Piece Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 151 Availability Retired	Retail $2.99 I own this set I want this set

	125 Piece Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 125 Availability Retired	Retail $3.95 I own this set I want this set

	120-2 Small Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 120 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay	Retail $2.95 Value $133.69 Growth +4431.9% Annual growth 6.6% I own this set I want this set

	99 Gift Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Pieces 99 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay	Retail $2.95 Value $76.04 Growth +2477.6% Annual growth 6.2% I own this set I want this set

	093 Small Basic Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Availability Retired Buy this set at BrickLink	Retail $5.73 Value $621.49 Growth +10746.2% Annual growth 8.1% I own this set I want this set

	Sampler Set Theme / Subtheme Samsonite / Basic Set Year 1966 Availability Retired Buy this set at BrickLink	Retail $2.95 Value $240.06 Growth +8037.6% Annual growth 7.6% I own this set I want this set

003 LEGO Samsonite Master Mechanic Set

Master Mechanic Set Value (New/Sealed)

Compared with other Basic Set sets

Sets in Samsonite / Basic Set

704-2 Master Discovery Set

004 Master Builder Set

835 Advanced Builders Set

565 Piece Basic Set

375 Deluxe Basic Set

324 Piece Medium Basic Set

301-2 Wheel Toy Set

285 Medium Basic Set

224 Piece Explorer Set

205-3 Small Basic Set

021 Wheel Set

151 Piece Basic Set

125 Piece Basic Set

120-2 Small Basic Set

99 Gift Set

093 Small Basic Set

Sampler Set