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Getting back to the simple steering provided in this set I just wanted to share the steering in one of my projects. It is 19 studs wide and after some weeks of trials I managed to get this steering in the this small size. This is already more sophisticated than the one in the Porsche. The last 2 weeks I was cruising the internet to get good pictures of the steering of the real Porsche. I already have several ideas to process how to improve this one for the Lego version. To summarize isn't this actually what Lego is about, keep on building and improving? In that light TLG gave a great first step to work on, I love the set for that.

Thanks Jim for this review. At least your review earns the title of 'Ultimate'. Although I am following the presses on the release and availability of this set for months, your review changed my mind a bit. Realizing how much technical opportunities are missed. Like rear end steering introduced in the 8880 set which could have been perfected in this set. Or the height adjustment introduced in the 8297 which could have been easily copied in to this model. This set is huge so room enough for some more goodies. What really disappoints me is the plain and simple front steering. Not even 'Ackermann' was considered which even the 8860 set had (repeated in 8865 and 8880). Why didn't TLG make this close to reality steering a standard for high end models? And a bit of caster would have been a game changer as well. This is the easiest way to improve play-ability. To summarize it equals the non-technic set 8145 Ferrari 599; great body work but limited features. Altogether I consider this a very nice building experience which is in principle the main purpose of a Lego set. I never understood to use a Lego set as a display, it is meant for building and taking apart for other creative work. Besides my hands are itching and my brains are spinning to add the missing features myself in this set. What would have covered the extra 70 Euro was a B-model like a 911 convertible. Finally I will buy it anyway this week, I am still a collector!

Hi thanks for your replies. I wasn't concerned about the playability at all. Lego is fun anyway. I was only looking for confirmation, I planned to buy another one as was wondering to pay attention. Some claim they got the set back then with those new hinges. To my opinion it is a big price/value difference if this set originally was never sold with these new hinges.

browsing this forum I couldn't find my answer, besides browsing the internet and reading articles about Lego history I am still looking for following: in 1981 I got 8848 set for my birthday. Lately I have build all these old models. As clear back then the red hinge plate 1x2 with double and single finger are very sensitive for breaking. Once I red somewhere that in the later years Lego replaced those with the double and triple fingers hinge plate. I cn't find it back. It sounds possible because the new 1x2 hinge plate is introduced in 1981 as well. Could anybody confirm if the hinge plates for set 8848 later after introduction were replaced with the new version?

Great to see how you are digging around in this colorful history of Lego. This set I have myself. Just need to check if it is with or without stickers. I myself are concentrating on the early Technic Lego. Just stumbling over your thread here while I was looking for info on the red gears in the early samsonite 'technic' sets. Keep diggin around I would say, you have a addicting enthousiastic way of writing about Lego History.