I had a lot of Lego when I was a kid, and I kept it all, which is freakin’ awesome. The boys are just about old enough to start playing with it now, but some of the more complicated kits are still a bit beyond them. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from helping them out a bit.
I’ve spent the last couple of nights building up what is probably my favourite kit of all – the 8860 car chassis, which was made between 1981 and 1988. It’s quite a feat of engineering and features seats that move in two axes, a working gearbox, a rear differential and rear suspension and steering that implements the Ackermann principle, which is where the innermost wheel turns inwards more when cornering to prevent the tyres from skidding.
It’s a fantastic kit, and I’m pretty chuffed that I my Lego’s been sufficiently well stored over the years to make it possible to build it up without any missing pieces.
I had that kit too..!
That was the time when Technical Lego (and all Lego for that matter) was a clever use of a few bricks. It’s still a great toy, but I get slightly disappointed by how many custom, one use blocks there are now. Sure things look a bit more ‘realistic’ (but only a bit) but at what cost. I think it was a lot cleverer when the basic shapes were more simple. For instance, the ‘spark plugs’ in this kit were taps from the Lego City kits…!
I bet all of mine are still in my parents loft..! :)
dude that is aewsome, im tryin to build a working car with steering. but that car is the coolest thing i have EVER seen. like the gear box, differential, suspension, and Ackermann Princible is just the greatest thing out there, but you should let LEGO know about it and then sell models of it(that would be aewsome). but i have a question, how could you build a differential, please tell me. but that is the coolest creation i have ever seen, i gotta give you 5 star rating.
Hey tony… it’s an official lego kit! I can’t take credit for the design, but it was a hell of a lot of fun to put together again after all those years.
I never had this as a kid, but I found a complete one in the original box last night for $8.
I had the go cart as a kid, but this kit is amazing, even 30 years later.
You can find parts at bricklink.com and a parts list at peeron.com
happy building,
That;s so cool, I’m going to try and build mine that I’ve kept for the last 22 years! Have you got the manual? Any chance you could scan it for me.
Hi Stuart,
I certainly do have the manual. I’d be more than happy to scan it. It was a lot of fun to build – an enjoyable way to spend an evening with a few beers!