1980-85
From Motorcycles to Pneumatics

The 8800 series began in the USA with the release of two Expert Builder sets in 1980. The 8857, 8858 set numbering was unique to the American market. The numbers were obtained by adding 8000 to the European numbers 857 and 858. These numbers were the first to be repeated later in the 1990s. The 8857 Motorcycle set allowed one to build a variety of motorcycles. The 8858 automobile engine set featured several different engines including a V-6. One of the original sets, the 954 Sky Copter was dropped from the line and did not appear in the 1980 catalog.

1980 Catalog Page
8857 Motorcycles
8858 Auto Engines

In August 1981 several new sets were released. The lead model was the 8860 Auto Chassis, featuring a "flat-four" engine, a differential and a spring loaded suspension for the rear wheels. Another massive model was the 8859 Harvester that featured a two cylinder engine. The 8848 Power Truck had the scoop from bulldozer set and a flat bed that could be raised and lowered. The 8844 Helicopter had full action rotor and steering propellers as well as a retractable landing gear.

1981 Catalog Cover
8844 Helicopter
8848 Power Truck
8859 Harvester - Model of the Month for January 1994 View 1 View 2 View 3
8860 Auto Chassis

Missing from the American market was one set introduced in Europe. The 8846 Tow Truck. Shown below is a page from the 1981 Scandinavian Technic catalog. The 8845 Dune Buggy also made its initial European appearance in 1981.

8845 Dune Buggy
8846 Tow Truck

In 1983 racing was the theme as the 8841 Desert Racer and the 8847 Dragster were introduced.

8841 Desert Racer
8847 Dragster

The highlight of 1984 was the introduction of the Universal Sets, originally known as the Expert Builder sets in the USA. Four sets were offered in the first series. The smallest set, the 8020, in yellow was the only Technic set ever to feature a windshield. The medium set, the 8030, was red and the largest set, the 8050 in blue, was the first Universal set to feature a motor. But perhaps the most important set was the 8040 set that introduced pneumatics (not introduced to the American market until 1985). The new pneumatics were used in two new 8800 sets as well, the 8843 Forklift Truck and the 8851 Excavator. The forklift had a novel lift mechanism that used a chain combined with one of the new pneumatic cylinders. The excavator had crawler treads and used three of the new pneumatic cylinders to control the arm and scoop.

8020 Universal Set
8030 Universal Set
8040 Universal Set
8050 Universal Set
8843 and 8851 Forklift Truck and Excavator

Joe Lauher - SUNY Stony Brook

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