LEGO 1961 / Classic / Vehicle Sets

The LEGO Classic Vehicle theme from the 1960s featured sets that centered on creating various vehicles using LEGO bricks. Distinct from the more detailed and specialized vehicle sets of later years, the 1960s theme provided basic parts and simple designs to construct cars, trucks, and other common vehicles. These sets were a part of LEGO's effort to expand its product range and offer builders thematic sets that focused on everyday objects and transportation modes.

1961 LEGO Sets

1961 marked a significant year for the LEGO Group. International sales, production and distribution were greatly expanded. North America was an important market but its sheer size and distance from Denmark required a sales and distribution network that was too large for LEGO to manage at the time. LEGO reached an agreement to allow Samsonite to begin producing and selling LEGO products in North America. The result was a license for exclusive North American distribution rights and LEGO began marketing sets under the name ‘LEGO by Samsonite’ in the US in 1961. In the same year, LEGO Italy was established.