Wednesday 3rd February 2010

1:1 Scale Sand Scorcher Celebrates Tamiya Re-issue

1980s playground favourite relaunched with life-size replica

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Full-size car is exact replica...

Tamiya will unveil a limited edition re-issue of its iconic Sand Scorcher r/c car at the Nurnburg toy fair tomorrow - alongside an amazing full size replica built by German VW specialists Bug Box.

The new 1:10 scale Sand Scorcher will be available at Tamiya dealers later this month, but if you want one (and we know you do!) it might be worth having a word with your local stockist in advance, as it's reckoned the kits are likely to run out fast. We're told the R.R.P. will be £299, which includes radio and batteries, etc, and at that price we're tempted to buy a couple ourselves - one to leave safely packaged in the attic, while we relive our misspent childhood with the other in the PH car park.

...of this little beauty, now re-issued

Although the Sand Scorcher is to all intents and purposes a straight re-issue of the 1980s classic, the latest kits feature a raft of significant upgrades such as a reinforced duralumin and FRP chassis tub, newly designed die-cast front and rear suspension wishbones for greater strength, up-rated dampers and a transparent waterproof case for the batteries and r/c bits. (More info here.)

If you want a full size Sand Scorcher, you'll need to splash out a bit more cash. Bug Box reckons its replica - which includes many specially commissioned parts - has set the company back the thick end of €50,000.

 

[dylan39]

Makes me feel like a teenager just looking at it!

[PhantomPH]

Love it!

Takes me back to when I had my Bug at the age of 18...I still subscribe to VolksWorld mag. *blush*

[soad]

Now that is great - looks bloody lovely!

[Plotloss]

Oh wow!

Wish they'd make a real Wild Willy and Willy's Wheeler.

[R66STU]

in my oppinoin the 'real one' would go better on the sand with the rear tyers on the other way round..

[Agoogy]

My Tamiya catalogue was probably my most thumb'd brochure I had...quickly followed by the Porsche brochure of the time and then the Scalextric book of track designs and accessories....

I never did have the spending money to get an R/C car...
Hornet
Grasshopper
Super Champ
Lancia 037
Subaru Brat.....

[Garlick]

I had one just like it, Dad bought it for me one Christmas and I'll certainly be first in the queue to get another one!

[Mr Gear]

R66STU said:

in my oppinoin the 'real one' would go better on the sand with the rear tyers on the other way round..

Erm, why? That is the correct way to have them is it not?

Love this, very cool.

[Dapster]

I had an original back in 1981. It was actually the Rough Rider based on the same chassis. I had the full Sand Scorcher body parts kit and wheels, plus the Ford Ranger kit as well. It was indestructible and the detailing was superb – oil filled dampers, independent suspension all round, waterproofed electronics, the lot. Mint Sand Scorchers go for thousands on e-bay these days.

[Bill]

Mr Gear said:

R66STU said:

in my oppinoin the 'real one' would go better on the sand with the rear tyers on the other way round..

Erm, why? That is the correct way to have them is it not?

An engine is probably more important...

[Garlick]

I'm so excited I'm going to post again! I want one of these very badly.

Pops off to call nearest Tamiya dealer......

[Snoop Bagg]

I'd love to see that full tilt on, well erm sand!

[Cotty]

It looks great

[Strawman]

Bill said:

Mr Gear said:

R66STU said:

in my oppinoin the 'real one' would go better on the sand with the rear tyers on the other way round..

Erm, why? That is the correct way to have them is it not?

An engine is probably more important...

There is an engine in the other pic

[Bill]

Strawman said:

There is an engine in the other pic

I wondered what that fking great trumpet was.

[typezerora]

Agoogy said:

My Tamiya catalogue was probably my most thumb'd brochure I had...quickly followed by the Porsche brochure of the time and then the Scalextric book of track designs and accessories....

I never did have the spending money to get an R/C car...
Hornet
Grasshopper
Super Champ
Lancia 037
Subaru Brat.....

Oh damn, memories! That list is THE list if you were/are into your RC cars. I am pretty sure I had all of those at one stage or another (usually sourced second hand at car boot sales).

I think the Porsche 959 deserves a place on there, complicated little RC cars and prone to breaking a lot but boy did they go some.

I moved up to the Petrol Cars after that, getting my hands on the legendary "Turbo Burns RX"...

Why did I sell off that lot?!

[Salsera]

I want... i want ... i want...
That's just too

[flamejob]

Jaw... floor...

(The tyres are on the correct way round BTW.... nice scooping action)

[Dapster]

typezerora said:

Agoogy said:

My Tamiya catalogue was probably my most thumb'd brochure I had...quickly followed by the Porsche brochure of the time and then the Scalextric book of track designs and accessories....

I never did have the spending money to get an R/C car...
Hornet
Grasshopper
Super Champ
Lancia 037
Subaru Brat.....

Oh damn, memories! That list is THE list if you were/are into your RC cars. I am pretty sure I had all of those at one stage or another (usually sourced second hand at car boot sales).

I think the Porsche 959 deserves a place on there, complicated little RC cars and prone to breaking a lot but boy did they go some.

I moved up to the Petrol Cars after that, getting my hands on the legendary "Turbo Burns RX"...

Why did I sell off that lot?!

What about the mid 80's Hi-Lux with selectable 4wd! The throttle stick on the controller had a sort of Ferrari open "H" gate so you could select forwards or backwards in either 2 or 4wd. Amazing - on what is esentially a 25 year old toy car.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/car.asp?id=28

[y2blade]

I had one of those and a hornet and a boomerang..also hot-shot 2

then nitro ones after that