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Building The 1988 LEGO Technic 8865 Test Car - Black Brick Builder
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Parts: 909
Year Released: 1988
Before I begin, let me make it clear that I regard this set as a good thing. The car (wherefore the appellation 'Test Car' ? I really don't know..) is an impressively complete assemblage of working features and detail felicities that, I am sure, beguiled many a budding engineer. So, three cheers for that.
However, this does not explain why the designers (who we can assume were colour-blind) saw fit to burden this otherwise fine machine with a track wide enough for a Hummer, an engine placement that, in a real car, would play havoc with the centre of gravity and such miserably anaemic seats. Maybe I'm in a bad mood because I've got sore fingers after taking one apart (those ****** pins!)
Let me, if you will, attempt to address these issues. The track measurement was dictated by the four link rear suspension design, so much more sophisticated than 8860's swinging axles. This meant using 2 universal joints on each side for the correct axle articulation - never mind that the same thing can be achieved with one UJ and pairs of gears tilting relative to each other (not very pure, I know, but needs must..). This would at least have taken some width out of it and not left it looking like a multicoloured monster truck with undernourished wheels.
As for the engine, this is a neat little unit but it's not that little. Blame those old square pistons (this was the last car to have them I think, and they are sorely missed). There's just no room for it except plonked as it is on top of the bulky rear suspension. If the car was a little longer, it may have fitted behind the seats, instantly creating a more exciting mid engine sports car.
And now the seats - we can only assume Lego ran out of budget within the price of this set to provide more than the simple hinged together and rather flimsy plates that they did. I suggest making a pair of 8860-like seats (so much more chunky looking and satisfying) - just not in blue...
Those ****** pins.... well, Lego themselves saw the error of their ways and changed the design shortly after this set was made. The black pins here, though, have what is known as an 'interference' fit inside their holes and this is why I have sore fingers (for the really obstinate ones, I use a 10 axle with a toggle on the end, pressed in the palm of my hand and PUSH. If that doesn't work, pass the chainsaw..). Better still, use some later black 'push-fit' pins and spare yourself the agony.
Now don't get me wrong, this set has many good points - the sophistication of it's suspension, the smooth operation of it's gearbox, the previously unheard-of structural integrity of it's chassis; not to mention those natty pop-up lights, my favourite thing about it. It just looks and feels like something designed by a committee who never met.
- TechnicNick -
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