Tribute Model 8880 Evo (Building Instructions added)

[Attika]

Hello fellow Technic fans, let me present to you my tribute model to the well known, iconic set 8880

As a new member I should introduce myself, but I did that already in the forum designed for the very purpose so I just link that here

http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=134093

and we can jump to the main subject.

I've been encouraged by a commenter on youtube who is a member here to share this MOC of mine on this forum as maybe this will give you a rest after the frustration caused by the much anticipated 42056. Don't get it wrong, I don't mean to fill the gap it left (I read the topic too and share the feeling), but hopefully can give you a few minutes of entertainment.

I admit it is a sensitive piece of history to touch, but I hope you recognize that the respect towards the original model what was driving my hands while I was designing this plastic homage.

Probably some of you have already seen the video on the youtube. For those who didn't let me link it:

Instead of making a new description I'll use the one that I made for the vid and pepper it with some images:

The original set 8880 has been released in 1994. Sadly that time I was living my dark age (life without lego). Now it's been 4 years that I got back in business, dark age is over and this set is weightly responsible for that change in my life. First I was just reading about it on Blackbird page.

Long story short I could manage to get one, and as an old school lego fan (being child in the 80's) it straight enchanted me and determined probably my whole life (hobbywise at least). In the same time I really admire the modern studdless system of lego and it inevitably ended up in the demand in me to build a studless version of it. I've built it first in 2013, but in lack of sources (parts and talent) it wasn't really desirable, nor "smart". Since then I keep rebuilding it time to time and always ends up better and better. According this I wouldn't say this is the last or the best of it, but at the moment this is the stage of its evolution. This is where the name I gave came from.

A few words about the details:

Body:

As you can see I did not use panels but kept the wireframe like appearance as it is one of the benchmark of the original set. Speaking of which I have to admit I did change the shape of the front a lot, even eliminated the concealed headlights due to the feeling that time has passed and it's not cool anymore. But to pay back what I took, I've designed a hood what follows the geometrical concept of the boot. If you listen closer, when the hood opens, the headlights are sliding backward. Rest of the body I think speaks for itself.

Interior: Not much to say about it, seats, dash , keeping the colour scheme.

Gearbox:

Now that is a tricky one. That was the first problem I've been facing with as due to the size of the model I needed a narrow 4 speed gearbox with central differential, but I could not find a decent one anywhere. Crowkillers Paul had the 6 speeder, but it was too wide for my car and Sariel's 4 speeder has been designed for two wheel drive. So I've spent the next month and a half to develop a new one from scratch.

Of course if there is a central diff it should be lockable, so it is. And it makes a very compact structure with the gearbox itself what comes handy in modular building.

Edit: that was years back. From here it seems rediculously long time, but I let you decide. Here is a deidcated video about this gearbox:

Steering:

Unlike in the original, there is no ackermann geometry in my model, but please blame lego as it is the field where the part developement goes backward. Anyway the front steering is pretty simple, but for the rear I had to use a rod mechanism, since the compact gearbox left no room for an axle to go trough without compromising the aesthetics. It comes however with certain benefits, as with minor modification on the linking can change the steering lock of the rear wheels. I've applied the smalest as I've found it more realistic. The real life 4 wheel steered cars have only 3-5 degrees on the rear.

Ground clearence adjustment:

No witchcraft, a worm gear and an 8 tooth gear paired up on each wheel to lift and lower the shockers trough an axle. That's it.

Friend of my accidentally discovered (by opening the boot) that this coupe can be converted easily to a hatchback...

To be honest I did not consider this as a requirement when I was designing the model.

I've made a couple of colour variations too as it appeared above.

There is more hi-res pics on my brickshelf: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=562855

Building Insructions: 

https://bricksafe.com/files/Attika77/8880-evo-tribute-model/Attika_s_8880_EV_Tribute_by_1963maniac.pdf

Feel free to share your opinion or ask about it

Thank you for your attention.

Attika

Edited December 15, 2018 by Attika
BI added

[Sylvian]

EPIC!

[ctx1769]

well first impressions it looks good

[agrof]

Glad to see the improvement of Your video embedding skill.

The respect towards the original, and all the details, functions of your MOC make deserve well the "re-issue of a classic" label! :thumbup:

[Attika]

Glad to see the improvement of Your video embedding skill.

The respect towards the original, and all the details, functions of your MOC make deserve well the "re-issue of a classic" label! :thumbup:

practice makes the master...

[Polo-Freak]

Best function is the Hatchback

Masterpiece, so many functions

[Appie]

That's a great tribute. Sacrificed the turning headlights, but alot of functions were added and in this size. Awesome work.

LOL@the hatchback discovery btw.

[JJ2]

I have seen this MOD-tribute before and I liked it a lot, I am hoping to get the original but eventually.

BTW I like the description of the transmission video

[MajklSpajkl]

I like the original colour scheme best! You really captured the looks of the original perfectly and the steering linkage is fantastic, well so are the trunk and the bonnet. It is really interesting how good it looks without panels. How long did it take you to build it?

[Attika]

BTW I like the description of the transmission video

I know... I'm a lazy bas..rd that I still did not write a proper one.

[zux]

I like this model a lot - the looks, the functions, just great! Actually I've spotted it some months ago on Youtube, but never commented there.

Is it just me or your 8880 mod looks to be a bit short. What are the proportions comparing to original 8880?

[Attika]

I like the original colour scheme best! You really captured the looks of the original perfectly and the steering linkage is fantastic, well so are the trunk and the bonnet. It is really interesting how good it looks without panels. How long did it take you to build it?

The first version to the last that you see here took 2-2 and a half years, but not continuously. I've built a version enjoyed, then took it apart. Half a year later built it again with some improvement, then disassembled again. This has been going on for that 2 years. If I want to estimate real cumulative time was about 2 months.

As I built the newer versions those gave me some kind of feedback, how my abilities are improving. I have to say it was really entertaining to see as I got further and further. For instance the rear wheel steering came up only in the last version. Before that I couldn't even imagine that it was possible at all.

[Blakbird]

Wow, that is an incredibly impressive tribute. You even managed to make it more functional than the original. Very well done indeed.

[Attika]

I like this model a lot - the looks, the functions, just great! Actually I've spotted it some months ago on Youtube, but never commented there.

Is it just me or your 8880 mod looks to be a bit short. What are the proportions comparing to original 8880?

Shame on me I don't know the exact stud numbers. (never counted) But the video has a few pics with the two models beside each other. I should say, if the original was let say 1:8 scale this is like 1:10.... Sorry being so unspecific. I have to get along with the uncomfortable parts of this hobby, like the documentation.

I'm glad you like it guys. Really great to have feedback from an expert audience.

[Lipko]

That's very impressive how many functions you squeezed into this model.

And overall, the model is awesome.

[Attika]

Wow, that is an incredibly impressive tribute. You even managed to make it more functional than the original. Very well done indeed.

I can't imagine a better jury than you on this subject. When I bought my used 8880 as my 2nd, or 3th set, in 2012, I knew everything about it by your site, Technicopedia.

(so feel yourself responsible for making me spend a fortune on this hobby! But a very big thanks for both.

That's very impressive how many functions you squeezed into this model.

And overall, the model is awesome.

Thank you Máté.

[jensbrix]

This is incredible, all those functions in this scale! Im especially fan of the adjustable ride height, have to try that out at some point :)

[Beard]

Having just finished building the 8880 last Sunday, this is looking very nice. It was a really fun build. But as I was also living my dark ages when it was released, I don't have a special connection to the set, like I do with the 8860 Car Chassis. If only I had the time to make an attempt to do the same for the 8860 as you did... Yours is very well executed.

[SevenStuds]

Really like how you adapted the original design. I think there is a lot of value in rebuilding old classics in studless beams.

I'm interested to find out what wheel covers did you use for the version with the white body and red chassis? I saw that you hand painted them. I'm just wondering if they are purchased or made by yourself.

[Rishab N]

I saw this tribute on YouTube a while back and it looks fantastic. Great job

[Attika]

Really like how you adapted the original design. I think there is a lot of value in rebuilding old classics in studless beams.

I'm interested to find out what wheel covers did you use for the version with the white body and red chassis? I saw that you hand painted them. I'm just wondering if they are purchased or made by yourself.

The wheel covers I forgot to mention... I bought those rc off road tyres from ebay, and they came on rim. So there is an otherwise pretty byproduct. I grabed the saw and cut the inner 80 percent off. Bit of sandpaper here and there to smooth the edge after the cut, a narrow strip of insulation tape on that 4-5mm wide circle what left beside the collar, and it nicely fits on that lego rim.

The one you noticed is the first set I've done, therefore far not perfect. The "handpaint" was a dead end road for me. Since then there is a couple of others. I couldn't resist. If you let me know witch forum is apropriate for this subject, I'll make some photos if you are interested. You might wanna see some other modified parts too. I'm a heretic

[SevenStuds]

I'm a heretic

Yes, I did read the "hardcore heretic non-purist" part in your greetings post :)

I reckon, just a few photos on your brickshelf should do the trick. Making a new post on EB could be the start of some serious rock throwing :D

[veryrusty]

Awesome man. That overhead view has me rethinking my view on panels.

[Tomik]

WOW, this is really cool model! I especially like changing of ground clearance.

[Balrog]

Wow, well done. This is really an awesome tribute to 8880. Congratulations on re-making the original shape and functions and even include new features. Greatest thing for me is the adjustable ride height. The mechanism is so easy, but brilliant.

As others said, I like the original color scheme best and I think the forms and angles, though slightly changed at times, are easily recognizable. The first pic I saw, I was a little sceptic, but the video got me turned around completely.

I'd really like to build this one for myself.

The only point I have to criticize is the scale. For a tribute, I would have thought it to be the same scale, but it's a little smaller. If this were scaled up to the original, it would be perfect all around.