LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer

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

LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer is a vintage Space set from 1979 valued at $3,282 for new and sealed sets, up 10159% from an original retail price of $31.99. Annual appreciation has averaged 7.13% since release. Used copies are valued between $278 and $352 depending on condition. Signals for it are turning downward, with slower growth than similar sets, along with a value that has slipped lately.

Galaxy Explorer Value (New/Sealed)

This chart represents the current new/sealed value of the set Galaxy Explorer since October 2019. 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 Galaxy Explorer sells for around $3,282 today, after averaging 7.1% growth a year since retirement. Give it five years and our forecast has it near $4,235. The average used price is $293 for those in good overall condition.

For Sale (New/Sealed)

(US) 1979 GALAXY EXPLORER 497 VINTAGE CLASSIC SPACE CAS 75+ NOT AFA VERY RARE

BrickEconomy Choice

$6,499.99

For Sale (Used)

	(US) Used - - - - -100% complete, with instructions; no box; parts are in good used shape;...	$275.00
	(US) Used - LEGO Space 497-1 - Galaxy Explorer	$292.99
	(FR) Used - 928 EU 497 USA Galaxy Explorer Classic Space 1979 VERY RARE 100% FULL	$398.28
	(US) Used - 928 Galaxy Explorer Space Cruiser Moon Base 497 100% Complete Instructions	$399.95
	(US) Used - Classic Space 497/928 Galaxy Explorer 100% Complete W/Partial Box & Book	$400.00

Market Momentum

Bearish

This set is lagging its theme and its value is slipping.

BearishBullish

DemandTop 2% in Space

Very high demand

12 months agoToday

SupplyTypical for Space

About as many as a year ago

12 months agoToday

Growth vs peers+3% typical for Classic

-29% over the past year

12 months agoToday

Outlook:37% bearish·53% neutral·10% bullish

Why it's moving, signals and outlook

Galaxy Explorer Minifigs

Galaxy Explorer contains the following minifigures.

Space Astronaut White

35 sets

Value $54.94

Compared with other Classic sets

#14 of 88

By growth since retail, +10,159%

+805%+43,496%

In the top quarter of the group.

$9.71 a piece

New and sealed value per piece

This set

$9.71

Typical

$5.32

About 80% above the group's typical value per piece.

Top sets by growth		Year	Since retail
1	6711 Minifig Pack	1983	+43,496%
2	6804 Surface Rover	1984	+21,580%
3	926 Command Center	1979	+19,186%
14	497 Galaxy Explorer	1979	+10,159%

Related Sets


	10497 Galaxy Explorer Theme / Subtheme Icons / Space Year 2022 Pieces / Minifigs 1,254 / 4 Availability Retired Buy this set at Amazon eBay BrickLink	Retail $99.99 Value $114.99 Growth +15.0% Annual growth 7.2% 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 $3,247.95 Growth +9745.3% Annual growth 6.4% I own this set I want this set

Galaxy Explorer Questions

What is LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer worth?

A new, sealed copy of Galaxy Explorer is worth about $3,282 today. That is down 8% on three months ago. A used copy in good condition goes for about $293.

Has LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer been retired?

Yes. Galaxy Explorer has been retired by LEGO. Collectors now buy it on the secondary market, from sellers on sites like eBay and BrickLink.

Has LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer increased in value?

Yes, by a wide margin. Since it sold for $31.99 in shops, Galaxy Explorer has risen 10,159% in value, about 7.1% a year. That edges past the Classic average of 5.9% a year.

How much could LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer be worth in a year?

Our one-year forecast has Galaxy Explorer at around $3,459 a year from now, about 5% more than today. That is the year-ahead picture. In the short term, though, the market reads bearish. On balance, demand, supply and price point down. Forecasts are estimates, not guarantees.

What comes in LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer?

Galaxy Explorer has 338 pieces, or $0.09 per piece at retail, and 4 minifigures: Red Classic Spaceman (2) and Space Astronaut White (2). As a group the minifigures are valued at around $205, led by Space Astronaut White at $55.

Top lists

Most Valuable LEGO Space Sets Top LEGO Space Sets by Growth Most Valuable LEGO Sets

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 $204.78)

Set Pricing

Retail price

$31.99

New/Sealed

Value

$3,281.97

Growth

+10159.36%

Annual growth

+7.13%

90-day change

-7.69%

1-year growth

+5.40% (12 month outlook)

Future growth

+5.19% (2-5 year outlook)

Used

Value

$292.99

Range

$278.00 - $351.59

Quick Buy

eBay

In stockBuy

Best price

$6,499.99

*Listings are for new/sealed sets.

Set Predictions

New/Sealed

Today's value

$3,281.97

1 year forecast

$3,459.20+5.40%

5 year forecast

$4,235.05+29.04%

Weaker outlook

Stronger outlook

The forecast puts 497 Galaxy Explorer at about $4,235.05 in five years. That is a better outlook than most sets.

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

+5.95% (this set +7.13%)

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

Community Stats

Galaxy Explorer currently ranks #30 out of the top most owned sets in Space Classic.

#1Small Space Shuttle Craft

#2Astro Car

#3Space Digger

#4Star Fleet Voyager

#5Classic Spaceman Minifigure

#30Galaxy Explorer

#31Robot Command Center

#32Cosmic Comet

About Space Classic

Classic Space began in 1978, the same year as the LEGO minifigure, and it was one of the first three themes to use it, along with Castle and Town. The astronauts came in red and white at first, with yellow, black and blue added in the 1980s, all in the same suit with the planet logo on the chest and an air tank on the back. Unlike almost every space line after it, Classic Space had no villains, only explorers with rovers, rockets, lunar bases and grey crater baseplates.

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/sealed value of $4,820.

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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.


	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 $1,008.68 Growth +4945.9% 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 $4,819.61 Growth +19186.2% 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 $717.35 Growth +7080.7% Annual growth 11.3% 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 $604.48 Growth +7970.5% 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 $128.52 Growth +1615.9% Annual growth 6.2% 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 $448.01 Growth +5881.4% Annual growth 5.5% 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 BrickLink	Retail $6.99 Value $550.10 Growth +7769.8% Annual growth 5.2% 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	Retail $3.49 Value $490.20 Growth +13945.8% Annual growth 11.1% 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 $391.98 Growth +11131.5% 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 BrickLink	Retail $3.49 Value $199.40 Growth +5613.5% Annual growth 6.5% 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 $189.47 Growth +6236.8% 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 $215.24 Growth +10716.1% Annual growth 7.1% 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 $89.84 Growth +1284.3% 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 $69.81 Growth +1299.0% Annual growth 3.0% 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 $58.72 Growth +804.8% 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 $49.79 Growth +897.8% Annual growth 3.6% I own this set I want this set

497 LEGO Galaxy Explorer

Galaxy Explorer Value (New/Sealed)

For Sale (New/Sealed)

For Sale (Used)

Market Momentum

Galaxy Explorer Minifigs

Compared with other Classic sets

Related Sets

Sets in Space / Classic

Galaxy Explorer Questions

What is LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer worth?

Has LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer been retired?

Has LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer increased in value?

How much could LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer be worth in a year?

What comes in LEGO 497 Galaxy Explorer?

My Collection

Set Details

Set Pricing

Quick Buy

Set Predictions

Set Facts

Galaxy Explorer Reviews

Subtheme Analysis

About Space Classic