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Sets
Space
Classic
Galaxy Explorer

497 LEGO Galaxy Explorer

Name: LEGO Galaxy Explorer
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 497-1
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.00 (26 reviews)

Images 6Description 1

LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer is a vintage Space set from 1979 valued at $3,555 for new and sealed sets, up 11014% from an original retail price of $31.99. Annual appreciation has averaged 7.30% since release. Used copies are valued between $278 and $352 depending on condition.

Set Value (New/Sealed)

This chart represents the current new/sealed value of the set Galaxy Explorer since January 2020. High accuracy

LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer is a Classic Space set released in 1979, containing 338 pieces and 4 minifigures. The set builds a large blue-and-gray spacecraft with an opening rear cargo bay and a detachable space rover, plus a surface outpost with a landing pad and a small control tower. It includes two red and two white Classic Space astronaut minifigures.

Sold exclusively in the United States, 497 is the counterpart to 928 Galaxy Explorer released elsewhere, and both spacecraft carry the LL 928 marking. The design was later echoed in 70816 Benny’s Spaceship, Spaceship, SPACESHIP! (2014) and revisited as an homage in 10497 Galaxy Explorer (2022).

A new and sealed Galaxy Explorer is currently valued at around $3,555, with annual growth of approximately 5%. The average used price is $293 for those in good overall condition. Based on current trends, this set could be valued near $3,794 within the next year. New and sealed listings currently range from $3,541 to $6,500.

All regions

All regions 3
United States 2
Canada 1

For Sale (New/Sealed)

	(US) 497 Space Galaxy Explorer 1979 Vintage Brand New	BrickEconomy Choice $3,499.99
	(CA) Great condition. Cardboard seals in good shape. Please ask for pics.	$3,561.03 +0.2%
	(US) 1979 GALAXY EXPLORER 497 VINTAGE CLASSIC SPACE CAS 75+ NOT AFA VERY RARE	$6,499.99 +82.8%

All regions

All regions 6
United States 4
Germany 2

For Sale (Used)

	(US) USED LEGO CLASSIC SPACE SET 497 GALAXY EXPLORER COMPLETE IN GOOD SHAPE W/ BOOK	$274.99 --6.2%
	(DE) Used - 928 / 497 Galaxy Explorer Classic Space from 1979 Space Space	$282.49 --3.6%
	(DE) Used - Classic Space 928 Galaxy Explorer (aka 497) inc original box & instructions	$287.73 --1.9%
	(US) Used - LEGO Space 497-1 - Galaxy Explorer	$292.99 --0.1%
	(US) Used - 100%COMPLETE LEGO Space Galaxy Explorer set#497 instructions minifigures vinta...	$293.37
	(US) Used - VTG LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer Spaceship 1979 & Lego 775 Fire Fighter Boat 1977	$299.97

Minifigs

Galaxy Explorer contains the following minifigs.

Space Astronaut White

35 sets

Value $49.89

Related Sets


	10497 Galaxy Explorer Theme / Subtheme Icons / Space Year 2022 Pieces / Minifigs 1,254 / 4 Availability Retired Buy this set at Amazon eBay StockX Bricklink	Retail $99.99 Value $117.87 Growth +17.9% Annual growth 6.4% I own this set I want this set

	928 Space Cruiser And Moonbase Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 338 / 4 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $32.99 Value $3,344.67 Growth +10038.4% Annual growth 6.6% I own this set I want this set

Sets in Space / Classic


	920-2 Rocket Launch Pad Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 186 / 3 Availability Retired Buy this set at Bricklink	Retail $19.99 Value $988.13 Growth +4843.1% Annual growth 8.6% I own this set I want this set

	926 Command Center Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 173 / 4 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $24.99 Value $4,704.37 Growth +18725.0% Annual growth 11.7% I own this set I want this set

	924 Space Transporter Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 170 / 2 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $9.99 Value $701.80 Growth +6925.0% Annual growth 11.1% I own this set I want this set

	918 One Man Space Ship Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 86 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $7.49 Value $592.46 Growth +7810.0% Annual growth 9.7% I own this set I want this set

	452 Mobile Ground Tracking Station Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 76 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $7.49 Value $120.65 Growth +1510.8% Annual growth 6.1% I own this set I want this set

	894 Mobile Ground Tracking Station Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 76 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $7.49 Value $526.62 Growth +6931.0% Annual growth 6.2% I own this set I want this set

	897 Mobile Rocket Launcher Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 76 / 2 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay	Retail $6.99 Value $568.07 Growth +8026.9% Annual growth 5.7% I own this set I want this set

	442 Space Shuttle Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 39 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $3.49 Value $478.27 Growth +13604.0% Annual growth 11.0% I own this set I want this set

	891 Two Seater Space Scooter Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 39 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $3.49 Value $382.31 Growth +10854.4% Annual growth 10.4% I own this set I want this set

	889 Radar Truck Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 29 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay	Retail $3.49 Value $216.79 Growth +6111.7% Annual growth 6.7% I own this set I want this set

	885 Space Scooter Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 20 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $2.99 Value $187.22 Growth +6161.5% Annual growth 9.1% I own this set I want this set

	886 Astro Car Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces / Minifigs 20 / 1 Availability Retired Buy this set at Bricklink	Retail $1.99 Value $208.94 Growth +10399.5% Annual growth 7.2% I own this set I want this set

	305 Two Crater Plates Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces 2 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $6.49 Value $92.45 Growth +1324.5% Annual growth 5.8% I own this set I want this set

	306 Two Lunar Landing Plates Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces 2 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $4.99 Value $79.03 Growth +1483.8% Annual growth 3.1% I own this set I want this set

	453 Two Crater Plates Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces 2 Availability Retired Buy this set at eBay Bricklink	Retail $6.49 Value $58.28 Growth +798.0% Annual growth 4.8% I own this set I want this set

	454 Two Lunar Landing Plates Theme / Subtheme Space / Classic Year 1979 Pieces 2 Availability Retired Buy this set at Amazon eBay Bricklink	Retail $4.99 Value $50.00 Growth +902.0% Annual growth 3.5% I own this set I want this set

My Collection

I own this set

I want this set

Set Details

Set number

497-1

Name

Galaxy Explorer

Theme

Space

Subtheme

Classic

Year

1979

Availability

Retired

Pieces

338 (PPP $0.09)

Minifigs

4 (Value $182.74)

Set Pricing

Retail price

$31.99

New/Sealed

Value

$3,555.31

Growth

+11013.82%

Annual growth

+7.30%

90-day change

-3.46%

Used

Value

$293.17

Range

$277.99 - $351.80

Quick Buy

eBay

Buy

Lowest price

$3,499.99

Highest price

$6,499.99

Bricklink

Buy

Lowest price

$3,561.03 (CA)

*Listings are for new/sealed sets.

Set Predictions

New/Sealed

Today's value

$3,555.31

1 year forecast

$3,794.03+6.71%

5 year forecast

$4,544.84+27.83%

$4,322

$4,686

497 Galaxy Explorer is projected to be valued between $4,322 - $4,686 within five years.

Insights

Released as a Classic Space flagship and now retired, Galaxy Explorer is tied to cross-generational nostalgia and strong collector display demand, while scarce sealed examples and sensitivity to box condition limit liquidity, and a later anniversary homage revived interest but introduced remake risk and volatility.

Set Facts

This set was only available in the US, where it was sold instead of the identical set 928 Galaxy Explorer that was available elsewhere. Both spacecraft had the number "LL 928" printed onto their hulls though.
The spacecraft is similar to 70816 Benny's Spaceship, Spaceship, SPACESHIP! from 2014.

Galaxy Explorer Reviews

26 reviews

5.0

Collectors

Investors

Eurobricks

“In my opinion, the Galaxy Explorer is by far the best "blue-era" Classic Space set produced. But what makes it so great, you ask? The set includes two Classic Space plates, one crater, and the other a landing plate; a small control tower, an awesome ship that has room for a... More moon buggy, a moon buggy, and 4 classic figs. The overall design of the ship is awesome with a high degree of play value.”

Full review at www.eurobricks.com

“Large ship with opening cockpit and rear compartment, rover, small base with radar dish, four astronauts, landing plate and a crater plate. I believe this was the only ship to come with 2 base plates. Really just one of a few sets ever to come with 2 base plates.”

Full review at mpospese.com

Subtheme Analysis

Space / Classic

Sets

Years

1978 - 2015

Annual growth

+6.02% (this set +7.30%)

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

Community Stats

Galaxy Explorer currently ranks #33 out of the top most owned sets in Space Classic.

#1Small Space Shuttle Craft

#2Astro Car

#3Space Digger

#4Classic Spaceman Minifigure

#5Star Fleet Voyager

#33Galaxy Explorer

#34Lunar Rocket Launcher

#35Galaxy Commander

About Space Classic

The LEGO Classic Space was introduced in 1978 and was the first space theme. It features sets with peaceful space explorers with no enemies unlike other LEGO space sets. There were 5 astronaut minifigures the wore the same suites but in various colors including blue, red, white, yellow and black.

Classic consists of 90 sets that ran from 1978 to 2015. As of today, 926 Command Center is the most valuable Classic set with an estimated new/factory sealed value of $4,704.

LEGOLAND Space
You can build your own planet with the new baseplates. And with the Space Ships, Rockets, and Radar Vehicles, you can go exploring far, far out in space.

Set Pricing Models

BrickEconomy uses a number of methods to determine the value of a set.

New/Sealed

Machine Learning/AI Model

Value (today)

$3,555.31

Value (in a year)

$3,794.03

Value (in 2 years)

$4,007.41

Accuracy

0.960200 Very high

Statistical Model

Value (today)

$4,343.65

Value (in a year)

$4,600.38

Value (in two years)

$4,857.81

Accuracy

0.445055 Low

Used

Machine Learning/AI Model

Value (today)

$293.17

Value (low range)

$277.99

Value (high range)

$351.80

Accuracy

0.905200 High

To learn more about how we calculate pricing and forecasting, check out our article on BrickEconomy’s Approach to LEGO Pricing and Future Value Predictions.

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