Original Year	1982
# of pieces	140
Categories	Other: Universal Sets
Dimensions	various
Models	Car Windmill Drag Racer 6 Wheel Car Jeep

8030 Universal Building Set

The small set 8030 was released in 1982 as the very first Universal Building Set. It includes full instructions for 5 models as well as photographs of several other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built, but the Jeep uses the largest proportion of the parts.

Except for the windmill, the models are pretty homogenous, and none of them display much in the way of technical complexity. In fact, only 4 gears are included in the set and they are only used for steering, again except for the windmill. The models are, however, an excellent introduction to the concept of building with beams, and the new friction pin connectors are used extensively. The friction works so well that most of these models take longer to take apart than they do to put together, and I actually broke a 12L beam in half when disassembling a model to make this page, which is a first for me.

I find the Jeep the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.

1^st Model: Car
This little car looks a lot like a go cart, and its only function is steering. The front wheels can be steered using a wheel in the cabin. The wheel drives an 8 tooth pinion gear through a universal joint. The pinion drives the steering rack. The steering mechanism itself uses control arms and toothed links. There are dual wheels on the rear axle.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by KWON Click for an animation of the steering in motion.
2^nd Model: Windmill
This windmill was the first Technic model to be something other than a vehicle (or a vehicle engine). The new topic is welcome. A crank on the back of the windmill can drive the blades through a set of 24 and 8 tooth gears, resulting in a 3:1 ratio. The vertical members which look somewhat like trusses are actually not symmetric initially (not quite vertical), so they don't line up when placed back to back. This means that the blade head needs to warp everything into position when installed, which makes for a lot of friction in the system. Consequently, this windmill doesn't work very well. But it is tall!	Click for an animation of the windmill in motion.
3^rd Model: Drag Racer
This long car looks like a drag racer, but without the massive engine. There is a simulated engine in front of the driver's seat, rather than behind where a real dragster engine would be. The front wheels can be steered using a wheel in the cabin. The wheel drives an 8 tooth pinion gear through a universal joint. The pinion drives the steering rack. The steering mechanism itself uses control arms and toothed links. There are dual wheels on the rear axle	Click for an animation of the steering in motion.
4^th Model: 6 Wheel Car
I don't know what this little car is supposed to be, but it is kind of neat. The front wheels can be steered using a "hand of god" control on the roof. The wheel drives an 8 tooth pinion gear through set of 24 tooth gears. The pinion drives the steering rack. The steering mechanism itself uses control arms and toothed links. The two rear axles are on a pivot arm which allows the assembly to pivot forward and aft.	Click for an animation of the steering in motion.
5^th Model: Jeep
This little car looks a bit like a Jeep or other off-road truck. The front wheels can be steered using a "hand of god" control on the back. The wheel drives an 8 tooth pinion gear through a universal joint. The pinion drives the steering rack. The steering mechanism itself uses control arms and toothed links.	Click for an animation of the steering in motion.

Contact me with comments on this page.