The Monster Beetle is back! [Updated]
Classic Tamiya radio controlled car returns [Updated with video tour of the Tamiya store]
Obviously Tokyo is a bit of a trek to indulge in some Tamiya geekery but you don't have to go that far to step back in time to a misplaced childhood of radio-controlled cars and other geekery. Wise to the fact a generation raised on those classic models is now of an age where a) they can afford to splash some cash or b) have offspring to provide the perfect excuse for a bit of regression Tamiya has been busy reissuing some of its iconic kits. And now it's the turn of the Monster Beetle.
Now, purists may scoff given that the Monster Beetle wasn't one of the racier or more technologically advanced of Tamiya's radio-controlled cars. But as a bit of harmless fun it's not hard to see the appeal, the new version faithful to the 1986 original in all but the addition of an electronic speed controller (remember when they were the height of sophistication?) and apparently updated driveshafts. With its balloon tyres and rear-driven chassis think of it as an Ariel Nomad you can drive in the back garden under the pretence you're entertaining the kids. Win-win. Prices start from £130 for the kit, £180 for the RC bundle. See www.hobbyco.net for more.
Dan's video blog from the Tamiya store
Restored my brothers old one last year. Quickest & cheapest car restoration ever!
Pic with original body & scrappy shell with Monster decals. Need to start work on my old Blackfoot next.
Come to think of it, it is likely still in Dad's garage in bits...a foray into that terrifying den of cobwebs might result in my seeing what state it is in next weekend. Nothing more attractive to a girlfriend than a 43-year-old man playing with a remote control car...
This was the original version: swing axles at the front, giant tyres and wheels with masses of unsprung weight, coil sprung live axle at the rear and no dampers. As unsophisticated as its owner.
A year or two later I got 'The Frog'. Double wishbones at the front and IRS with oil filled shocks - quite a step forward! (though I hadn't made the same progress)
Good times
My 3 year old would probably smash it up so I would have to conduct 'testing' while he was at pre-school...
Very happy memories in the late 80's of hopping over the fence into next door's garden (they spent 6 months of the year abroad) with my 'car' and two fully charged batteries and flying up and down their gravel driveway, making jumps and doing skids!
Best place I found for RC car prices is RC Champ, the branch in the Akihabara area of Tokyo is very convenient to get to if you're visiting. With the exchange rate as it is now, you're talking about 40% of the cost compared to over here for a Tamiya kit.
By the time I'd finally built it I had wrecked it within an hour or so as I just wasn't used to the speed and response of the thing; had to wait what semed like an eternity until the Christmas shop shut down (this was a time when shops were shut for more than just a day over Christmas) was over before my dad could buy bits to fix it.
Over the years I'd upgrade the motor to a 540 (?), replace the plastic bearings with proper metal bearings, better tyrs etc. I also bought myself a Vanessa's Lunch box too.
Haven't a clue where the cars are now, happy times though.
Always lusted after a Bigwig
Restored my brothers old one last year. Quickest & cheapest car restoration ever!
Pic with original body & scrappy shell with Monster decals. Need to start work on my old Blackfoot next.
So, after some though and a bit of browsing, noted that the Lunchbox has been re-released. It's ace. We built it together, he found all the parts out and did most assembly whilst I just checked it and painted the shell for him. We've taken it out a few times, and he's getting the hang of it now.
I'm still a kid at heart, and I still have these:
so i've raided my old spares box and found enough ball races and also a 13 turn sports motor that I'll help him fit once he's used to it.
I rebuilt the Clod a couple of years ago, but most parts are original from when my parents got me it - even has the correct Chevy front end.
Might give it a run the weekend with our lads Lunchbox!
I resurrected my vintage Blackfoot, fully ball raced it...
...and then bought an Egress.....
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