LEGO Set - 8865 - Technic - Set 8865 Test Car

Set 8865, released in 1988, was the third generation car chassis and improved upon the technology in the previous version, set 8860, in many ways. It features a 4 cylinder reciprocating engine in a V configuration, a 3 speed transmission, a working rear differential, working front and rear double wishbone suspension, rack and pinion steering, retractable headlights, and adjustable and reclining seats.

This set introduced many firsts for Technic. This is the first Technic car chassis to feature a body. The body, while crude, still gives the model shape. It also offers a wealth of parts. At almost 900 pieces, this was the largest set to date and has 24 16L beams. This is the first set with true double wishbone suspension, and the first set to offer suspension of any type on the steered axle. Several new parts are used on the front to accomplish the new suspension. This would be the last set to include the square pistons, which would soon be replaced.

This model is about the same physical size as the previous two car chassis which remain, to this day, among the largest of all Technic models.