This was my first motorized set also. It is now in the process of being restored to be built again. A memorable set that I was lucky to have kept.

My first motorized Technic was the predecessor to this one, 8055. Good memories. I remember making a "robot" from this set--which consisted of a decorated shoe box taped to a motorized lego car chassis made from this set.

I remember getting this one Christmas and played with it soooo much, building dragsters, a cable car up to a 2nd floor window, used the motor to motorised the rescue helicopter and seaplane. Those were the days when technic was just beams, pins, axles and gears

Hey I had this. I think I got it to one of my birthdays.
Lots of fun. :)

Not to sound all "back in my day", but this will always look so much more technic-y than all the studless beams and panels in the modern sets.

Fischertechnik still does mechanical "Universal" sets-why not Lego? I wonder why we can't have mechanical "Basic" sets?

LEGO TECHNIC is one of the best themes LEGO has ever made.

Models are a bit blocky, but still good for a little tying out of the motor. I think I even like the 1990 motor better than the 1997 one, as it's geometry is a little bit more versatile.

I had the luck of finding this set a few months ago at a very cheap price, it's quite a neat parts pack. I also kind of liked the way the helicopter's landing gear is build - I haven't seen that before, although it looks like the old style 1x8 technic plates might be in danger of breaking if displayed for a longer time.

This set was produced for quite a long time back then: 1990-1996. So there definitely were a few differences in set contents, as Technic moulds were changing often in that particular period. It's interesting how stiff the old first issue black Technic pins were - it's almost impossible to remove them without pushing with an axle or similar.