If ever there was a set that belonged firmly in the category of "Lego Technic or Other", 8244 Convertibles from 1996 would be it. Right from the start you'll note the spelling. If it said "convertibles" you might be tempted to think of some ragtop cars, but the set serves up something quite different, an apparent grand experiment by LEGO® to explore the limits of modular play. The fact that this had never been before makes it innovative. The fact that it has never been done again since speaks to its success or lack thereof. Which in turn is very strange because Lego is about building and Technic is about technology, components and assemblies and building new combinations.
The 9 independent modules within this set can be combined in countless ways, and the image below shows a wide selection of them. The ability to combine a variety of modules in abundant ways seems like a pretty good play feature, but there is a significant flaw in the execution. The problem is that, for the most part, none of the combinations make any sense. There is a rotor but no helicopter, some skis but no snowmobile, a single front wheel but no proper motorcycle, etc. So what you end up with is a bunch of modules that are not particularly interesting to combine. However, as a tool to demonstrate the creativity and imagination that are possible within the system, it succeeds admirably.
Main model
Features
This first module looks like a front cabin and control of a sixties or seventies concept car 3 wheeler. I love the shape and the use of the simple control dashboard slope brick. I would have tried to add a kind of wiggle mechanism so it could steer.
This model is the second main body module that can be used as front and rear end module. This module has a rear axle with a Light Gray Technic, Gear 24 Tooth with 3 Axle Holes to drive other modules like a drive shaft for a rotor or a propeller. It also has some mimicking of bodywork.
This is the third main body module with a steering mechanism. This one can also be used as a rear and front end module. This module uses the Black Technic, Steering Rack Top with Light Gray Technic, Steering Gear Holder and Light Gray Technic, Steering Rack on top of the steering solution introduced in 1981. Because of the size of these models it steers smoothly and has a great playability. This top gear holder makes it easy to transform to seat steering or hog steering.
This is a nice neat engine with one cylinder. Through the axle on the side with a Light Gray Technic, Gear 8 Tooth the engine can drive the wheels of the module three. The other way around if you push the car the engine has a1:3 ratio giving it its speed it needs.
This is a more advanced accessory what seems to be a kind of towing or crane function. This one has a housing with a Black Technic, Gear Worm Screw, and a Light Gray Technic, Gear 24 Tooth with 3 Axle Hole adding another technic mechanism to learn and understand for young players. This shows how turning movement can be transformed into vertical movement.
This is one of the more basic accessories. A driveshaft showing how you can distribute torque over a distance. This drive shaft is used to bring the rotor above the passenger seat. Quite comfortable knowing you don't get beheaded while switching on the engine!
This accessory is the helicopter rotor. A simple construct. However shows how you can fix a technic plate to an axle to make it turn when you move the axle. Simple but educational to my opinion.
An accessory with a 2 blade propeller. On top of a Black Bracket 2 x 2 - 2 x 2 with 2 Holes to show how you can change direction of torque over a 90 degrees angle. This also shows that next to a explosion engine you can also generate drive with a propeller to push you forward.
This last accessory is just a nice prop without function. A radar you can put on top of the vehicle or on top of the driveshaft to make it turn while you drive to improve reception.
This set contains 4 sets of wheels and tires of type:
- 4 times Black Tire 13 x 24 Model Team and 1 time Black Tire 30.4 x 14 VR.
- 4 times White Wheel 30mm D. x 13mm (13 x 24 Model Team), 1 time White Wheel 30.4 x 14 VR.
Parts List
Blue, Red, Black and Old Gray and a hint of white.
Modularity
This entire set is based on the concept of modularity, and the key to that modularity is the attachment concept. Many of the 9 modules in the set connect using a pair of pins and a central axle in a protruding 2x2 box. This system is strong and secure, but consumes a lot of space.
With so many modules, you can imagine that they can be combined in a significant number of ways. The photo series here after shows all 9 models from this set. However with so many modules and extra parts your imagination will have afield day coming up with a dozen other ones. Try to pick a favorite.
In the photos you can see some additional decorate elements which compliment the modules. There are some wings, some flexible axles, and some skis.
Nine Convertible Models
The Three Wheeled vehicle is a fun one and starts with combining 3 modules. For some reason I like this one.
Though simple it does resemble for me one of those three wheeled motorcycle like 60-ties or 70-ties futuristic concept cars. Especially the control slope I am font off.
Further more the engine driven through the fixed rear axle via a light gray 24 tooth gear and an light gray 8 tooth gear with a ratio 1:3 on the module, just a first combination of modules and more to come.
This one just shows how to build further from the first one and add some other moving parts.
The engine module is replaced with the Driveshaft and Rotor modules adding it up to 4 modules used.
Physics wise it will be tricky to get this vehicle of the ground. Imagining the rotor could tilt forwards you would be able to get this thing to move. However the driveshaft is long enough to at least keep the driver save from the rotor.
On the inside of the rear module their is a small Light Gray Technic, Gear 12 Tooth Bevel on the axle that links with the same gear on the driveshaft with ratio 1:1.
This one just shows how to build further from the first one and add some other moving parts.
The engine module is replaced with the Driveshaft and Rotor modules adding it up to 4 modules used.
Physics wise it will be tricky to get this vehicle of the ground. Imagining the rotor could tilt forwards you would be able to get this thing to move. However the driveshaft is long enough to at least keep the driver save from the rotor.
On the inside of the rear module their is a small Light Gray Technic, Gear 12 Tooth Bevel on the axle that links with the same gear on the driveshaft with ratio 1:1.
Rear Engine Single Seater
Here we see first time the usage of the module with steering. This does truly improve playability. Because of the relative short wheel base the car does steer pretty well.
Back to three modules though with the engine module which makes it a more a regular more realistic model and with the Dark Gray Hose, Rigid a more bodywork like impression is created. In this one the technic minifig can literately grab the wheel and escape for the long road ahead. Here the engine module is used, driven through the fixed rear axle via a light gray 24 tooth gear and an light gray 8 tooth gear giving it a ratio 1:3 on the module. I am fond of this one it is a tough looking car and dude seems happy with it.
From here onwards we stick to both the 2 wheel based modules the one with the steering and the one with the fix axle.
Here we have a robust truck with a kind of tow or crane on the backside. This module wasn't applied till now. This one houses a worm wheel driving a light gray 24 tooth to move the arm up and down. With this vehicle you can create some interaction and let the dude help others get out of the ditch with their cars. With the Dark Gray Hose, Rigid a windshield is created. What reduces the bodywork effect a little bit.
Now it gets more quirky. We see here some kind of snow mobile. The front wheels from the module with steering are replaced with two Red Technic, Liftarm, Modified Bent Thick 1 x 9 (6 - 4) mimicking ski blades. A great idea if you ask me. Besides adding up to four modules again and with some extra parts you really get a creative vehicle. Which setup will be extremely playable on a patch of high pile carpet if you would ask me!
Rear Steering Radar Caddy
Where we saw till now pretty straight forward, at least for this world of modular vehicles, designs it gets even more creative. The 2 base modules still connected but reversed and suddenly we have a rear end steered vehicle. I love this, probably because I drove forklifts even before I had my drivers license. The steering mechanism lets this one easily convert to HOG-steering. The drive shaft is now placed just behind the seat with the radar on top. So while you drive the radar turns around to improve reception. I imagine that with the Dark Gray Hose, Rigid it becomes a kind of futuristic vehicle with a glass cabin. Again a nice one. Due to the HOG steering close to the steering the car steers well despite the huge overhang of the front wheels. It is a pity though that the dude didn't get any sticks to operate this car.
Front Seater SafetyBracket Ride
Now we get creative. Although we continue with the rear steering configuration. There is also only 3 modules used for this creation. The driveshaft with radar is replaced by the 'crane'-module. However it now seems to be the intended use of a sort of safety bracket. The arms nicely fit over the minifig. However his head sticks out and the helmet doesn't fit between the arms so I wouldn't advice the dude to take a drive in this thing.
Radar SafetyBracket Vehicle
Fascinated with the rear steering configuration and the 'crane'-module we are now landed at the last model from this set. Just don't get stuck and just let it go and invent another dozen combinations or modules and vehicles. The safety bracket is reinforced with extra arms and some fences for maximum safety, I guess. No with the radar mounted on top it seems a bit odd how to operate this vehicle. When fully lowered it looks more like a lawn mower than some sophisticated science tool. However again a great vehicle which is fun to drive around with.
Dude
As icing-on-the-cake comes this set with a Technic Minifig. This is a quite eccentric Technic figure who made an effort to invent the modular system and all these different vehicles. With a lot of imagination for sure!! Some early project he has with this creation 8225 - Road Rally V. However here in this group picture with friends a few years before 8714 - Technic Team he didn't do this all on its own I expect. Nothing is more fulfilling than sharing your hobby with like minded. Finally they came up with this odd vehicle 8229 - Tread Trekker after which one it got silent unfortunately.
Based on Technicopedia
