Anyone into old Tamiya's?
Discussion
Thanks for the replies, chaps !
Have to admit that I am a little disapointed that the Blackfoot isn't being made available as a re-release
I was getting my hopes up too as I ran across a couple of posts on a forum which suggested that, as it was based on the same chassis as the Frog, Brat et al, it was a distinct posibility. I also found the Blackfoot Extreme that you mentioned and I have to admit it doesn't grab me like the original - not sure how much of that is due to the gawdy decals though.
What to do, what to do...
Off to bed now, been looking at RC websites for far too long !
Have to admit that I am a little disapointed that the Blackfoot isn't being made available as a re-release
I was getting my hopes up too as I ran across a couple of posts on a forum which suggested that, as it was based on the same chassis as the Frog, Brat et al, it was a distinct posibility. I also found the Blackfoot Extreme that you mentioned and I have to admit it doesn't grab me like the original - not sure how much of that is due to the gawdy decals though.
What to do, what to do...
Off to bed now, been looking at RC websites for far too long !
The problem is not the chassis, but the shell. Back in the 1980's Tamiya either didn't give a monkeys about licencing or had a licence from Ford. They subsequently lost that and modified the tools to make the shells non-Ford, so it'll never be the same.
What you can do it get a new Frog and add on original Blackfoot parts - that way you can have as good as a new one...! Simple enough...
What you can do it get a new Frog and add on original Blackfoot parts - that way you can have as good as a new one...! Simple enough...
BazC said:
Have to admit that I am a little disapointed that the Blackfoot isn't being made available as a re-release
I was getting my hopes up too as I ran across a couple of posts on a forum which suggested that, as it was based on the same chassis as the Frog, Brat et al, it was a distinct posibility.
I was getting my hopes up too as I ran across a couple of posts on a forum which suggested that, as it was based on the same chassis as the Frog, Brat et al, it was a distinct posibility.
roop said:
Both are available - kit and XB (eXpert Built)
kermitman said:
are these re releases like the originals in that you build everything, diff, chassis, steering etc or do they come straight out of the box built?
i doubt im on my own here when i say half the enjoyment of these cars is buildning them then painting the body shells
i doubt im on my own here when i say half the enjoyment of these cars is buildning them then painting the body shells
I used to race a Falcon back in the days. Switched over to a Kyosho Rocky and put in a triple 16 Demon motor in, extremely fast but kept spinning the chain off!! Put an end to my championship hopes.
Are the XB versions extactly the same as the kit versions? ie can they be broken back to component form? The Tamiya site says they are "based" on the kit version.
The XB cars are just like the kit ones. Made from the same parts and you can strip them down just the same. They come fitted with Tamiya's own brand r/c gear and speed controller which are perfectly good.The finish on the bodies is also very good indeed.
The one this I would always do with a kit or XB is replce all the plastic and bronze bushings with ballraces. They are cheap enough these days.
The one this I would always do with a kit or XB is replce all the plastic and bronze bushings with ballraces. They are cheap enough these days.
I have a Wild Willy I in shelf queen condition, taken me ages to rebuild it from the wrecked tatty car of my childhood 
Also got an Audi Quat that i've just got the body to finish off, a Blackfoot, Fiat 500 Abrath in grrrrrrrreat condition and a 306 Maxi for the destruction derby moments! Fancy picking up a Frog or Brat next...... As a kid i have the lunch box, midnight pumpkin, Boomerang, Hornet and a Bigwig as well as the Wild Willy, Willy is the only survivor!
Also got an Audi Quat that i've just got the body to finish off, a Blackfoot, Fiat 500 Abrath in grrrrrrrreat condition and a 306 Maxi for the destruction derby moments! Fancy picking up a Frog or Brat next...... As a kid i have the lunch box, midnight pumpkin, Boomerang, Hornet and a Bigwig as well as the Wild Willy, Willy is the only survivor! Use to have a Boomerang with yellow paint and wheels. Loved that car.
I ended up building cars for people at school, so must have built about every tamiya model there was late 80's early 90's!
Started to race with it, and upgraded to a Top Force, upgraded that to Evo spec! Remember those "hop-up" options!
Then moved onto Cat 2000's which were fast but loved to break down when winning!
One cat 2000 I owned has a fully carbon fibre bath tub chassis, it was the mutt's.
Despite all that the old Boomerang is still around somewhere, just sadly in lots of pieces, to ebay to find one
I ended up building cars for people at school, so must have built about every tamiya model there was late 80's early 90's!
Started to race with it, and upgraded to a Top Force, upgraded that to Evo spec! Remember those "hop-up" options!
Then moved onto Cat 2000's which were fast but loved to break down when winning!
One cat 2000 I owned has a fully carbon fibre bath tub chassis, it was the mutt's.
Despite all that the old Boomerang is still around somewhere, just sadly in lots of pieces, to ebay to find one
I have to admit that the more I think about it, the more confused I am with Tamiya as to why they have released all these old models again.
RC models have come along way since those days when we raced Brats and Frogs and Grass Hoppers (great fun was had I have to admit) so it does seem a little strange that they are taking a backward step.
Looking at pictures of the re-released models, they don't seem to have changed anything in the construction, they really are the same old cars as we used to race. It's a bit like Ford re-releasing the Model T exactly as it rolled off the production line, or VW re-releasing the original Golf GTi...
RC models have come along way since those days when we raced Brats and Frogs and Grass Hoppers (great fun was had I have to admit) so it does seem a little strange that they are taking a backward step.
Looking at pictures of the re-released models, they don't seem to have changed anything in the construction, they really are the same old cars as we used to race. It's a bit like Ford re-releasing the Model T exactly as it rolled off the production line, or VW re-releasing the original Golf GTi...
They are for the most part identical. The Frog for instance has slightly different shocks and modified drivehafts but that's about it. Oh, and they come with electronic speed controllers. The idea is to tap into the market of people like me who wanted when they were a kid but couldn't have. Now at 30+ with a bit more disposable can ghave the toys they always wanted. Works well. Wish Kyosho would do the same...!!!
sdw2003 said:
I have to admit that the more I think about it, the more confused I am with Tamiya as to why they have released all these old models again.
RC models have come along way since those days when we raced Brats and Frogs and Grass Hoppers (great fun was had I have to admit) so it does seem a little strange that they are taking a backward step.
Looking at pictures of the re-released models, they don't seem to have changed anything in the construction, they really are the same old cars as we used to race. It's a bit like Ford re-releasing the Model T exactly as it rolled off the production line, or VW re-releasing the original Golf GTi...
RC models have come along way since those days when we raced Brats and Frogs and Grass Hoppers (great fun was had I have to admit) so it does seem a little strange that they are taking a backward step.
Looking at pictures of the re-released models, they don't seem to have changed anything in the construction, they really are the same old cars as we used to race. It's a bit like Ford re-releasing the Model T exactly as it rolled off the production line, or VW re-releasing the original Golf GTi...
Be prepared to pay £££ for a bodyshell and decals, suspension parts are more readily available. eBay is your friend...
yellt350t said:
I have a Toyota Celica from 86-87 same chassis as Porshe 959 and i am in need of some suspension bits and a bodyshell ,
is there any chance they maybe available ??
TIA Andy
is there any chance they maybe available ??
TIA Andy
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