Category Archives: Customized Builds

Tamiya Blockhead Motors RC Outdoor FES 2023



On Thursday, November 23, 2023, Tamiya and Blockhead Motors were holding a further RC event at “Inn the Park” in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with the theme of “RC x Outdoors x Art” to enjoy in the great outdoors. We held an outdoor festival that proposes attractions and ways to enjoy it. We also held a “Special Athletic RC Circuit” where you can run RCs on a vast lawn surrounded by nature, an exhibition of actual Monster Beetles, and an RC x Camp Flea Market. Furthermore, in the art area, Ryuji Kamiyama’s works were exhibited and RC custom bodies were sold. In addition, the event was filled with a wealth of content, including popular outdoor brands, shops, and food trucks.

Breaking new ground – Building a bridge between old and new – The Tamiya BBX #58719


I think the presentation of the new Tamiya BBX buggie at this year’s Nuremberg Toy Fair was more than a surprise for so many Tamiya fans worldwide.

It’s something that at least I no longer believed in. Especially nowadays, when real innovations are now rarely found, especially from the many other manufacturers in the market.
The new BBX builds a bridge to its legendary role models, such as the “Rough Rider”, “Sand Scorcher” and the “Super Champ”. The “Super Champ” in particular could almost have served as a visual model for the new BBX. And with this Tamiya once again confirms its number 1 status in the world of RC Cars. That’s why I couldn’t wait for the BBX kit to arrive. And when he finally got there, things soon started.

I would like to go into the construction a little more, as it is a completely new chassis platform. Even if you come across a few parts every now and then during construction that you also know from many other Tamiya kits. The BBX is the first model based on the new BB-01 chassis. And the kit is already very complete as standard. The BB-01 comes completely with ball bearings, which also includes the extremely play-free steering. CVDs and excellent shock absorbers, including TRF X-rings are already standard from the factory. Another small innovation is that Tamiya almost exclusively uses hex screws on the BBX. Tamiya also recommends using modern brushless motors for the BBX. We did that too and decided on a sensor-controlled 13.5T brushless drive.

To make it short. Building the BBX gave me great pleasure. It actually compares well with building a classic Tamiya SRB buggy kit. The construction of the tubular frame is very well thought out, as is the wonderfully designed body made up of several parts. If the willing builder makes an effort here and also paints the driver figure borrowed from the Tamiya “Fox” nicely, he will be rewarded with a beautiful model that not only looks good but also drives excellently. For our own BBX we chose a classic Tamiya PS-12 Silver. We also painted the original chrome-plated rims with Tamiya LP-69 clear yellow. Technically, only the optionally available 22071 slipper clutch was installed. After completing the model I was really impressed and really had the feeling that I had a very special model standing in front of me.

Our conclusion:
Tamiya is doing everything right with the new BBX. Practically completely new technology in a very well implemented retro design, with classic box art. Tamiya fans worldwide will love this kit.

Tamiya Wild One MAX Launch Edition


The highly anticipated Tamiya Wild One MAX will be publicly unveiled this Summer, starting with a limited-run Launch Edition.

Based on the original Tamiya Wild One (58050) radio-controlled car – first released in 1985 – the Tamiya Wild One MAX Launch Edition will be relaunched as a full-scale vehicle and limited to 100 examples before other versions are released.

Developments and updates to the Wild One MAX Launch Edition

Whilst the project has taken longer than expected due to industry-wide supply delays, The Little Car Company took the time to listen to feedback from deposit holders. They spoke to the community throughout the design and development process and made upgrades based on their input, resulting in higher performance, and greater usability.

The high specification Tamiya Wild One MAX Launch Edition features Cobra bucket seats with 4-point harnesses, an IP-rated 5” digital screen with marine specification switches, Brembo disc brakes all round, and Bilstein dampers coupled with Eibach springs. The car runs on 14” Maxxis off-road tyres at the front and rear.

Small adjustments have been made to the original R/C car design for added safety and comfort. Inside, the cockpit has been made wider to accommodate two occupants in comfort, which was a consistent wish-list item when speaking with deposit holders.

The front suspension turrets have been smoothed, allowing for improved visibility and pedestrian safety, and the front suspension has been upgraded from a ‘trailing arm’ design to double wishbone. Ongoing development has now seen the car grow in size from 3.5m long (137.8”) and 1.8m (70.8”) wide, to 3.6m long (141.7”) and 1.9m wide (74.8”).

For off-road enthusiasts, ground clearance on the Wild One MAX Launch Edition is 270mm, the approach angle is 34.1 degrees, the breakover angle is 28.4 degrees, and the departure angle is 50.8 degrees. The Little Car Company has also developed an optional windscreen and wiper mechanism to make the car more practical.

The Launch Edition will be powered by eight removable battery packs, with a total capacity of 14.4kWh and top speed of approximately 60 mph (96.5 km/h). Meanwhile, the kerb weight of the vehicle is expected to be approximately 500kg. Existing deposit holders were asked if they would be interested in a road legal option for the car, and unsurprisingly, 95% said yes. The Little Car Company have therefore developed the Launch Edition to come with a road legal pack in the UK and EU under L7e quadricycle regulations*.

Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be one step closer to revealing our Tamiya Wild One MAX Launch Edition. Whilst there have undoubtedly been a few hurdles along the way with industry-wide supply issues, our team have done a tremendous job of bringing an R/C car to life at full size , and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

“I want to thank all our Tamiya deposit holder community, who have provided us with some invaluable contributions and suggestions for how we can make the Wild One MAX the best possible vehicle. We have listened to every single one of them since the first unveiling and have taken their ideas on board. Their feedback has helped us develop a new type of vehicle which illustrates that electric cars can be fun, without having to rely on brain-scrambling acceleration. By simplifying the design and reducing weight, this car is a perfect example of not requiring 500 horsepower to make an enjoyable drivers’ car. We are incredibly excited to show you the finished car and can’t wait for everyone to experience it for themselves.”

Production of the Launch Edition will commence in early 2024 and cars will be delivered to customers fully built by The Little Car Company. Offering increased size, usability and performance, the Launch Edition will take the Wild One MAX to a whole new level. Other versions offering a variety in performance are scheduled to be available at a later stage of product development.

The Little Car Company are conducting performance and durability testing over the Spring and Summer, before the car is publicly unveiled in a few months’ time, with confirmed performance figures, range and pricing.

To place a deposit, or to sign up for exclusive updates, please visit: www.wildonemax.com

*L7e definition: Classification of four-wheeled heavy quadricycles designed to carry persons, with an unladen mass of no more than 450 kg (excluding batteries)

Source: The Little Car Company

Some of Jun Watanabe’s customised Tamiya off-road cars at Blockhead Motors


Mr. JUN WATANABE|Representative of the design company “HANAKUMO INC.”
He designs collaboration products with sneaker brands such as Reebok and works such as numerous anime and games. In charge of the design of the RC car “Hornet by JUN WATANABE” with Tamiya. Currently developing “TAMIYA by JUN WATANABE” specializing in apparel
Blockhead Motors has become a hot topic for finishing the reprinted off-road RC released by Tamiya just like an American racer in the 1970s. We asked designer JUN WATANABE about this unprecedented style.

“I’ve always liked RC cars, but when I was a kid, I thought Tamiya buggies were fantasy things. I found out that it actually existed.Looking at the photos of the actual car at that time, I also found that there were details that were omitted when it was modeled as an RC.Therefore, including the graphics, I tried to recreate the atmosphere of the actual car in Tamiya’s reproduction buggy.”

A number of Tamiya RC cars displayed on the walls of Blockhead Motors stores. The point is that it is displayed in the atmosphere of a hobby garage. Each RC car is finished with a unique taste and can be used as a reference for painting.
Blockhead Motors is now recognized as a custom brand that makes RC cars cool. With a lineup ranging from RC stickers to various RC gears and apparel, it has gained popularity worldwide. From the official Tamiya, the block head motors specification of the reprinted RC “Wild One” has appeared. And in March 2023, it was decided to release the Blockhead Motors specification of “Hot Shot II” as well.

Source and more in Japanese language: Nifty News

Tamiya limited edition Bronco CC-02 project



Tamiya’s recent release of the limited edition CC-02 Bronco was the perfect excuse for a new project build. This version of the Tamiya CC-02 Bronco kit comes with a prepainted and precut body from the factory. You get a quality finish and it takes care of a task many are afraid to complete. So in this video, Greg will quickly go over the kit and then show you all of the options available for it if you want to build up an exciting project. This turned out to be a wild build with the installation of the optional tracks and you’ll see them in action tearing up mud and snow!
Added parts shown
Tamiya CC-02 Aluminum Servo Mount 22002
Tamiya Motor Bridge 54971
Tamiya Carbon Steel Shafts 54998
Tamiya Front CV Shafts 54984
Tamiya Link Mounts 54944
Tamiya Pivot Balls 54945
Tamiya Spur Gear Adapter 54970
Tamiya Servo Horn 54893
Tamiya Shock Set 54991
Tamiya Spring Set 54992
Tamiya Track Set 54948
Source: RCDriver_Online

Daytona Monster Beetle BLOCKHEAD MOTORS decals collaboration


Custom Monster Beetle to Daytona specifications
At the Daytona RC Car Grand Prix, which is being serialised in every issue, a collaboration with Blockhead Motors (BHM), a popular RC custom brand, has been realised. Jun Watanabe, designer of BHM “Daytona Monster Beetle BLOCKHEAD MOTORS ” was created with a single phrase, “I want to make an RC design for Daytona!”



Source and more: Daytona Mag