Category Archives: Vintage

Tamiya (Classic) Off Road Racing at its peak – The Top Force Evo. (2021)


When the Tamiya Top Force Evolution came onto the market in 1992, it was a practically unattainable model for me, as well as for many other young Tamiya fans, due to the high price.
At the time, my hard-saved money was just enough to buy a Tamiya Astute, which I really loved back then.

The “normal” Top Force was a good car, although it actually got by with relatively very common TA-01 technology. As a good driver with a well built “Top Force”, you definately had a chance, also in higher class races. But the “Top Force Evolution” went one better in all areas. Carbon plate chassis, Ball differentials front and rear, universal joint shafts for front and rear, steel cardan shaft, a full set of ball bearings, and last but not least the fantastic aluminum dampers, which are still absolutely competitive today.

Tamiya has the Top Force Evolution revised very carefully. The character of the car is still the same. The universal joint shafts were replaced by more modern CVD shafts. The shock towers, for example, are now also made of carbon. In the 90s these were still made of FRP. And I almost forgot one thing. The body and spoiler comes already cut out and pre-painted in Tamiya PS-23 “Gun Metal”, which is still the original colour code.

The Evo. comes with standard Tamiya ESC and 540 brushed motor. We have equipped our Top Force Evo. with a modern sensor-controlled brushless system, a low profile and fast digital steering servo, and an aluminum motor mount. The construction of the “new” Top Force Evo. was a real pleasure. Hardly any other car has given me more pleasure building it in recent years. It is the perfect car for the increasingly popular vintage racing. When fitting more modern 2.2 wheels and tires, the Evo. is ready for your local race track.

Some words about the look and design of the whole car. The „One Big Wing“ look of the Top Force is still a stunner, and you can call it a real milestone in Tamiya´s classic buggy designs. Wing and body are aerodynamically one piece. The whole car looks so sleek, flat and fast. Tamiya made no compromises here.

All in all, thank you Tamiya for this wonderful new re-release. We are looking forward to the release of the upcoming Super Avante TD4 and “Blockhead” Wild One Offroader. With the “Blockhead” Wild One, really a dream comes true. Also many thanks to Tamico and Dickie-Tamiya, for providing us with the Top Force Evo. Kit.

Tamiya RC Live – New RC model announcement and TC-01 one-make challenge report & Tamiya RC history



NEW RC model announcement and TC-01 one-make challenge report & Tamiya RC history!
・ Details of the NEW RC model will be unveiled for the first time!
・ We will deliver the pattern of “TC-01 One Make Challenge” scheduled to be held at Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit on August 8th (Sun). This will be the first one-make big race for the Formula E chassis!
・ Tamiya staff Sunahara, also known as “Rick-kun,” will participate in the Formula E class, and Tamiya Maezumi, also known as “Paisen,” will participate in the TS050 Sprint class. We will report on the qualifying and final races.
・ Tamiya RC History is a close-up of the off-road model that appeared in 1986. Super Shots, Falcons and Boomerangs will be presented!

Tamiya RC Live – Introduction of Tamiya Off-Road Meeting held in August and Tamiya RC History



Introduction of Tamiya Off-Road Meeting held in August and Tamiya RC History! -We will deliver the pattern of “Off-Road Meeting” held at Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit on August 1st (Sun). Introducing “Comical 4WD”, “Comical 2WD”, “Classic Buggy”, “Off-Road 2WD”, “Off-Road 4WD”! ・ Introducing the model released in 1985 in Tamiya RC History. Racing Master Mk.6 and Road Wizard will be released !! ・ Additional information on “Tamtech Gear Glass Hopper Mini” and “Super Avante” introduced at RC Live!
Appearance: Tamiya Satoshi Maezumi, Riku Sunahara

Tamiya Mini 4WD LIVE Vol.7 – JC2021 opening, Sendai & Niigata tournament report & new product introduction



Tamiya Mini 4WD LIVE The Mini 4WD Japan Cup 2021 has finally begun! We will send you the final races and venues at the Sendai Tournament (Sunfesta) and Niigata Tournament (Hive Nagaoka) held on 8/1 and 8/8. .. In addition, we will look back on the successive Japan Cup courses at the upcoming Japan Cup related products, information on the upcoming Laser Mini 4WD “Road Spirit”, and the popular corner “Mini 4WD Academy”.
Appearance: Ussy & Master Ueda

Another nice Tamiya headquarters insight for the 50th Anniversary of Tamiya Educational Construction Series


Information from the designer that the “printing out” of the “No2 Powerful Gear Box” package was unearthed in the warehouse!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find “No1 High Speed Gear Box”.
Of course, it was manual work at that time. It was a block copy made by pasting phototypesetting. The handwritten line drawing is also very tasty.

See more here

July 10, 1971 – July 10, 2021: 50th Anniversary of Tamiya Educational Construction Series


July 10, 1971 The first fun work series<
It was “No.1 high speed gear box set” and “No.2 torque gear box set”.


Fun Work Series Catalog” published in 1977. Up to “No31 Tsunawatari Doll” was posted.


The “Fun Work Series Application Collection” was included with the “Fun Work Series Catalog” as an in-house publication. It started in 1977 and continued until the 8th collection.

History of the Tamiya Avante series and details of the new 58696 Super Avante TD4 Chassis



“Dr. Taki” is here! New RC buggy announcement commemoration “Tamiya RC history” special
・ In commemoration of the announcement of “SUPER AVANTE (TD4 chassis)”, we will deliver a special version of the popular project “Tamiya RC History”.
・ “Dr. Taki” who also appeared in “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix” has appeared as a special guest!
・ While looking back on the history of Tamiya RC cars, we will also talk about development episodes at that time!

New RC buggy announcement special live
・ Details of “SUPER AVANTE (TD4 chassis)” will be announced!
・ Please look forward to the NEW buggy machine that is a must-see for RC fans all over the world!

Appearance
Tamiya Satoshi Maezumi, Riku Sunahara, Dr. Taki

Tamiya RC Live – Introduction of the 59th Shizuoka Hobby Show and Tamiya RC History



・ Introducing the work of “#Tamiya RC Photocon” held as a posting project on Twitter. From over 450 posts, we will look at cool driving scenes, life with RC, interesting images, etc. with everyone with comments. Of course, the announcement of excellent works!
・ Introduction of Tamiya RC History ➉. At the time of release, the “Hot Shot” that was the target of junior drivers’ longing will appear!


・ Introducing the “59th Shizuoka Hobby Show” held at Twin Messe Shizuoka on May 13th and 14th!
・ Introduction of Tamiya RC History ⑪. “FOX”, which is said to be the 2WD version mechanism of hot shots, will also appear !!

Tamiya RC Holiday Meeting Live Broadcast, Introduction of Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix and Tamiya RC History 8 & 9



・ The “Holiday Meeting (morning section)” held at the Tamiya Circuit will be broadcast live from the venue. Introducing your car and driving scene.
・ Introducing the pattern of the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix” held on 4/4 (Sun). Interviews with the final races and winners of the Junior, Women’s Grand Prix and Pair Grand Prix!
・ Introduction of Tamiya RC History ⑧. The popular “Mighty Frog” is still available as a reprint model!


・ The “Holiday Meeting (afternoon)” held at the Tamiya Circuit will be broadcast live from the venue. Don’t miss the parade run where various machines run in a mess!
・ Introducing the pattern of the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix” held on 4/18 (Sun). Pay attention to the close junior grand prix final race!
・ Introduction of Tamiya RC History ⑨. “Grasshopper” and “Hornet” that caused the buggy boom of the 80’s will also appear !!

Appearance
Tamiya Satoshi Maezumi, Riku Sunahara

Tamiya Mini 4WD History 2021 Special

Touch the history of Tamiya.


2021.4.30 FRI – 5.5 WED
10:00 ~ 17:00 (5 days only 16:30)
* Admission is 30 minutes before closing
Venue
Sapporo Prince Hotel International Pavilion Pamir
(12-chome, Minami 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
Admission (tax included)
Adults (high school students and above)
Same-day ticket 1,000 yen / advance ticket 800 yen
Children (3 years old to junior high school students)
Same-day ticket 800 yen / Advance ticket 600 yen * Free for children under 3 years old
Parent-child set ticket
Advance ticket 1,200 yen

The “Tamiya Mini 4WD History 2020 Special” scheduled to be held from August 13th (Thursday) to August 16th (Sunday), 2020 has been postponed to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. However, it will be held from April 30th (Friday) to May 5th (Wednesday) this year.

Tickets and various admission tickets purchased last year can be used as they are on the postponement schedule of this year.

Source in Japanese language: Hokkaido Television