Craigslist find - Lego McDonalds?

wagnerml2

I responded to a craigslist ad today that has the below set in the lot. The lot contained some really old bricks. Some from the 60s and 70s as well as some stuff from the 80's. The guy selling told me that he had a relative that had worked for Lego and that she had given him a bunch of stuff back in the day. He also said that several people had called about this picture and that it appeared to be a US set that was given to owners of McDonalds restaunts in the US. He also told me that he had 2 more in the boxes as well as a few Burger Chef restarants that were the same thing. THere are no instructions nor is there a set number associated with it. Ive never heard of this.

I searched the database, but couldn't find anything like this. I gave $85 for the lot, which was an overpayment based on the condition of the rest of the lot, however, I am curious what this is.

Wondering if anyone out there has any info on this. Seller had said that there were several people who offered a coupla hundred dollars for the restaurant model.

He also said that he would probably be willing to sell the rest to me. Obviously I want to see the sets in the boxes.

Anyone have anythoughts??

starfire2

Here is the instructions for the Lego McDonalds set. See if that helps. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=lego mcdonalds instructions&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBUQFjAA&url=http://bricks.argz.com/ins/3438-1&ei=xl2HT-GTHKWB8AGj0siVCA&usg=AFQjCNG_VpwFUz3WnW6FPlnNVIlXe1-BEw

wagnerml2

Thanks @starfire2, but that's not it. This is a full restaurant and has the d style windows and a few door pieces I have never seen before. I'll post more pics if I get a chance.

davee123

It's interesting and all, but I doubt it would have been considered a "set" per se. The earliest promo that I'm aware of with McDonald's is 1983-- so I'd guess it's from roughly that timeframe (mid-80's). The design, however, looks a little older, thanks to the 2-stud thick walls and old style windows. More pictures could provide a better clue about the timeframe, if there are any distinctive elements...

As an offhand guess, it sounds perfectly plausible, but kinda odd if it was intended to go to *all* McDonald's store owners in the USA. I don't know how many there were in the 1980's, but there were already thousands of them across the country, which is an awful lot of models for LEGO to assemble and distribute-- especially if they're not glued! It strikes me more as the type of thing that might go to *select* McDonald's owners, like (maybe) the ones who performed really well that year or something? Certainly interesting, though! Be sure to keep us posted if you discover more!

DaveE

cynthilina

Well I spent a few hours trying to ID this set and figure out what it is. The only thing that has come close are the MOC's that people make for the city and town's. What are the chances that maybe someone was trying to MOC a McDonald's with old lego's? Set 3438 is the only "official" lego set for Mcdonalds. This model you have looks much larger. I would venture to say maybe a MOC for one.

Redbullgivesuwind

Are you able to get a close up of the windows as they look like a couple that I have in my stash but I cant see them closley.

wagnerml2

@redbullgivesuwind - I will. Post tomorrow

Redbullgivesuwind

Thanks. I do from intial looks think its a moc. but the windows can tell more as there will be sets they are from

wagnerml2

OK, I am thinking it is an MOC, but there are certainly pieces I've never seen before. The windows all look to be from some of the system sets from the 1970's However, there is an intereting baseplate and garage door which I have attached photos. The baseplate has unstudded areas and tabs, but I'm not sure what they are for. The door is hinged and opens from the top and has two clear tabs on the back that you press to make the door open. It only has studs across the top. I've never seen one of these before. Any ideas?

Russell844

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=348-1

LegobrandonCP

^ Correct and as for the rest of the pieces, I think it is from: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=190-1

LegobrandonCP

Forgot to mention that the garage door in the first picture may be from this: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=235-2

Redbullgivesuwind

The windows were generic as well and not done to any set. Mine came from a lego bucket. Sounds like the guy was trying to get extra money out of you

cynthilina

That sounds like a fair assessment.

wagnerml2

Perhaps. He called me back today and has some in the boxes. I will get a pic and post.

wagnerml2

The other sets are Burger Chef sets in the box. I'll post a pic as soon as I have them.

Redbullgivesuwind

^thses again sound like a moc. The only burger tie in I know of is the macdonalds one. I think this guy is hoping someone will assume these are rare special sets and is trying to get someone to pay more than normal for a pile of bricks. Of course if your unsure you can use @Istokg lego service he is running he can give you a definitve answer.

Istokg

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=065-1

Redbullgivesuwind

^That doesnt count as the free message does it :-D

wagnerml2

@istokg - This guy says that the burger chef sets are in box and sealed. They were offered as promos to buger chef restaraunts in Japan in the 1970's. Have you ever heard of this? I will post pics if/when I get them.

Istokg

Anything is possible for Japan. They had some quirky sets in that era. Below is a 1980 Japanese catalog image for a set #1902, which is exactly like a #2 Italian LEGO set of 1976-77 that showed Minitalia (1970-74) Italian LEGO windows/doors... in black! (From the Minitalia LEGO Chapter of my new LEGO DVD.) The set says #1902 on a sticker on top... but says #2 on the side.

So Japan can be expected to have a lot of strange stuff that we may not have seen elsewhere. But there are no known Burger Chef sets from North America or Europe.