Two new Universal Sets were introduced in 1986. The 8035 in blue was a medium size set and replaced the 8030 set. A new motorized set, the 8055 in red, replaced the 8050 set. The 8020 and 8040 Universal sets were still available.
8842 Go Cart
8849 Tractor with Sprayer
8035 Universal Set
8055 Universal
In the mid 1980's general toy market Transformers and other robot look-alikes were
the hot item. In 1987 the LEGO company responded by releasing their own transforming robot, set
8852. A truck like vehicle, it could be raised up into a robot by a cranking
mechanism. It was not a very sophisticated model. It was also the only 1987 new
model.
8852 Robot
The year 1988 was a better year. The third generation auto chassis, the 8865 Test Car was released. The car had red super structure, a V-4 engine with a three speed transmission, full suspension and pop up headlights.
Another impressive model was the 8855 Prop Plane, the Amazon Explorer. This was large yellow sea plane with a sophisticated control system. The alternate model of the space shuttle was also very nice. The 8853 Excavator or Digger was also introduced in 1988. Unlike the old bulldozer set, it had an large scoop molded as one piece. Finally a small low cost go-cart type vehicle, the 8832 Dirt Track Buggy was released.
8832 Dirt Track Buggy
8853 Excavator
8855 Prop Plane
8865 Test Car
A second generation of pneumatic sets made their debut in 1989. The 8862 JCB Excavator (UK) was a massive model with a crank controlled scoop on front of a yellow tractor and a back hoe controlled by three pneumatic cylinders. The alternate model was a very impressive combine harvester. This was one of my very favorite Technic models. A second new pneumatic model, the 8854 Salvage Hoist, was a red mobile crane with a pneumatic controlled lift mechanism. It was not nearly as impressive as was 8862 model. A new Fork Lift, model 8835, was introduced as well. Unlike its predecessor, the 8843, the new Fork Lift did not have pneumatic control, but instead a geared chain mechanism.
8835 Fork Lift
8854 Salvage Hoist
8862 JCB Excavator
Beginning in 1989 and continuing into 1990 and 1991 a third series of Universal Sets was introduced. The smallest set in red was number 8024, accompanied by a medium sized yellow set, the 8034. The new pneumatic set was the red 8044 set. Perhaps the most unique set was the 8054 motorized set. It is unique, because it was the last of the 4.5 volt motorized sets. After only one year it was replaced by the new yellow 8064 9 volt motorized set.
8024 Universal Set
8034 Universal Set
8044 Universal Set
8064 Universal Set
A group of three yellow vehicles each with a Technic figure were released together in 1990. The smallest set, the 8830 Moon Buggy(UK) or 6-Wheeled Dune Buggy (US) had four wheeled steering similar to the earlier 6-Wheeled Snow Ranger from the Artic Action series. The medium sized 8840 Safari Racer was a slick looking car with a two cylinder engine that used new small round pistons. The largest model, the 8850 Rally Support Truck(UK) or Rally Off Roader (US) used these new pistons for a V-6 engine. In addition to these three models, set 8825, the Sky Patrol helicopter was released. This was a small low cost set with no really new features.
8825 Sky Patrol
8830 Moon Buggy - 6-Wheeled Dune Buggy
8840 Safari Racer
8850 Rally Support Truck - Rally Off Roader
The second new Universal Set of 1990 was truly exciting. In addition to the new 9 volt Universal Set, the 8064 mentioned above, there was a major innovation added to the Technic model line. This was the 8094 Computer Control Center (or Centre as my friends in Britain would claim.) This set allowed one to build a variety of models in yellow and black, a crane, a robot arm, a pen plotter and a pen plotting turtle and to manipulate them by a programmable control box. The set came with two of the new 9 volt motors, but the box could control three such motors. With this set the Technic line truly entered the computer age.
8094 Computer Control Center
Joe Lauher - SUNY Stony Brook
