Category Archives: Vintage

The Grasshopper II (2017) – Successor of an icon


While waiting for the release of the 47438 Tamiya Super Storm Dragon, based on the classic Tamiya Hornet chassis, another too long ongoing project was waiting to be finished.

The Grasshopper II. Back in the days, the Grasshopper II was not really my cup of tea. But today i see it from another point of view. Especially the “Super G” version, which was available on some markets is a really cool car.  So, the plan was to re-create that version. The “Super G” came with a 540er motor instead of the stock 380 motor. Friction shocks were also changed to the cool C.V.A. ones. Yellow Fox/Wild One style wheels and Avante/Supershot Spike tires for the rear and Super Hornet style front pin spike tires. The tires, shocks, and motor (we used a 540 Black Sport Tuned) weren´t really a problem. But the yellow wheels aren´t impossible to find nowadays. So we made our own using the classic Tamiya Nylon Parts Coloring Set No. 53130. The wheels came out very well. Tamiya TS-76 Mica Silver was used for the body, to give the buggy a more professional look. With the modern ESC, Sport Tuned motor, and digital servo, the “Super G” is a really good performer for such an basic entry level car.

Enjoy !

Satoshi Maezumi (Paisen RC) video review of the Tamiya Terra Scorcher 2020



A reprinted version of the 4WD buggy and Scocher released in 1988 is the RC limited project “Scocher (2020)”.Equipped with four oil damper type CVA dampers on four independent suspensions of double wishbones.

The front and rear tires are low-height spiked tires that provide light acceleration and grip.Equipped with front and rear stabilizers to control rolls, you can enjoy stable driving on off-road as well as off-road driving.

The front bumper is large and highly shock-absorbent, protecting the vehicle body from damage.Equipped with a universal drive shaft that does not fall off even in the event of a crash, it uses an aluminum motor mount with high heat dissipation.

It is an RC car that can be fully enjoyed even now with each part upgraded according to the times.

Souce: パイセンRC (Paisen RC) YouTube channel

Official description and details of Tamiya 47442 Terra Scorcher 2020

Released around Saturday, May 30, 2020, price 21,780 yen

Total length = 390 mm Picture shows assembled and painted kit


Returned Off-Road Flyer
A reprinted version of the Scocher, an assembly kit for the electric radio control 4WD buggy released in 1988. Equipped with a double-wishbone 4-wheel independent suspension with CVA oil damper on a light and strong bathtub type frame. The camber angle can be adjusted using a screw shaft on the upper arm, and a stabilizer is also standard equipment on the front and rear. The steering system is divided into three parts. Toe-in adjustment is easy with a ball adjuster at the rod end. The compact body and large arch-shaped rear wing are made of polycarbonate. White and light blue graphics, logos and numbers are available on stickers. In addition, the white-collar wheels are equipped with spiked tires that provide sufficient grip regardless of the road surface. As the name of the Scocher (flyer) is, it is very attractive to drive off-road at high speed.

Shaft drive 4WD chassis with upgraded parts
Based on the highly reliable introductory 4WD buggy “Thundershot”, shaft drive 4WD chassis is tuned up. The RC mechanism is mounted inside the bathtub frame that is light and has high strength, and it features high maintainability that docks the front and rear gear cases with built-in diff gears with attached suspension arms. Double wishbone 4-wheel independent suspension is equipped with two CVA oil dampers at the front and rear and front and rear stabilizers. Furthermore, the camber angle can be adjusted by using a screw shaft type upper arm. In addition, the drive system has full bearing specifications that suppress power loss. And in this reprint, in addition to the aluminum motor mount that enhances the mounting rigidity and precision of the motor, it is equipped with an assembly universal drive shaft that transmits power without loss and does not fall off even in the event of a crash.

Basic specifications
● Overall length 390 mm, overall width 240 mm, overall height 130 mm ● Wheel base 260 mm ● Tread = 203 mm front, 194 mm rear ● Tire width / diameter = front and rear 38/83 mm ● Frame = resin bathtub type ● Drive system = shaft drive 4WD ● Differential gear system = 3 bevels in front and rear ● Suspension = independent double wishbone 4 wheels ● Damper = CVA oil damper in front and rear ● Stabilizer installed on front and rear ● Gear ratio = 1: 7.68 ● Speed ​​controller = ESC specification (sold separately) ● Motor = 540 type

Separately purchased
● Fine spec 2.4G electric RC drive set ● 4 AA batteries for transmitter

Assembly manual can be found here

Happy Holiday (Buggy) staying at home


The Tamiya Holiday Buggy was introduced in 1980, and back then these Kits cost a similar price to what they cost today, so back in the 80’s that was a lot of money!
The Holiday Buggy has an original chassis and body, but had been upgraded with new electronics, and a 380 Sport tuned motor (not easy to get hold of). Running a 1500 mah Li-ion in this video, it runs very nice. Note, I’m using the original Acoms Techniplus radio system…
Speed runing an old RC Car is pretty interesting, with the modern electronics and better motor this actually produced a pretty good top speed!
Source: Tomley RC YouTube channel

Introducing the Dash! Yonkuro & Bakuso Brothers Let’s & Go!! related Tamiya Mini 4WD


Introducing the machines that appear in the popular mini 4WD manga “Dash! 4WD” and “Hyper Dash! 4WD”. Dash corps machines, including the protagonist Hinomaru Yoshiro’s machine “Emperor”, are on display. It is a fun lineup to make new and old dash machines and compare them.

18651 Dancing Divine Doll (MA chassis)
18649 1/32 Canon D ball (MA chassis)
18644 1/32 God Burning Sun (MA Chassis)
18643 1/32 Rise Emperor (MA Chassis)
18641 1/32 Shooting Proud Star (MA Chassis)
18075 1/32 Great Emperor Premium (Super II Chassis)
18073 1/32 Dash 0 Horizon Premium (Super II Chassis)
18070 1/32 Super Emperor Premium (Super II Chassis)
18069 1/32 Dash 1 Emperor Premium (Super II Chassis)
18632 1/32 Dash 01 Super Emperor (MS Chassis)
18630 1/32 Dash No. 3 Shooting Star (MS Chassis)
18628 1/32 Dash 2-Burning Sun (MS Chassis)
18625 1/32 Dash 1 Emperor (MS Chassis)
17006 1/32 Wild Zaurus


Introducing the machines that appear in the popular mini 4WD manga “Bakuso Brothers Let’s & Go !!” and “Bakuso Brothers Let’s & Go !! Return Racers !!” In addition to the protagonists, the Magma and Sonic, the favourite machines of the Hoshima brothers, machines of teammates and rivals are on display. This lineup is also recommended for those who want to recreate the famous scenes while working with original fans who are starting Mini 4WD and their favourite machines!

19454 Cosmosonic (FM-A chassis)
19453 Great Magnum R (Revolver) (FM-A chassis)
19452 Brockengigant Premium (FM-A chassis)u
19451 Gun Blaster XTO Premium (FM-A Chassis)
19450 1/32 Spin Cobra Premium (Super II Chassis)
19449 1/32 Tridagger WX (AR chassis)
19448 1/32 Proto Saber Evolution Premium (AR Chassis)
19447 1/32 Beak Stinger G (AR chassis)
19446 1/32 Great Blast Sonic (AR Chassis)
19445 1/32 Buster Sonic Premium (AR chassis)
19444 1/32 Beat Magnum Premium (AR Chassis)
19443 1/32 Diospada Premium (AR chassis)
19440 1/32 Cyclone Magnum Premium (AR Chassis)
19441 1/32 Hurricane Sonic Premium (AR chassis)
19442 1/32 Z Wing Magnum (AR Chassis)
19439 1/32 Beak Spider Premium (Super II Chassis)
19438 1/32 Ray Stinger Premium (Super II Chassis)
19437 1/32 Bergkaiser Premium (Super II Chassis)
19436 1/32 Shining Scorpion Premium (Super II Chassis)
19435 1/32 Vanguard Sonic Premium (Carbon Super II Chassis)
19434 1/32 Victory Magnum Premium (Carbon Super II Chassis)
19433 1/32 Tridagger X Premium (Super II Chassis)
19432 1/32 Sonic Saber Premium (Super II Chassis)
19431 1/32 Magnum Saber Premium (Super II Chassis)
18622 1/32 Rodeo Sonic
18621 1/32 Bison Magnum

Unique Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale on Tamiya RC chassis


We got a fantastic custom model from a reader of ours which we gladly would like to share with you:

I am a big fan of the wedge-shaped concept cars from the late 60s, early 70s coming from Italy. So this time i picked the Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale which was penned by Pininfarina. Originally the chassis for this car came for Ferrari 312P race car.

First a virtual 3D model of the Ferrari body was created consisting of 2 pieces – main body and windshield. Also the original wheels of the car needed to be created in 1/10 scale. Then the 3D data was sent to a 3D printing specialist. The main body with about 2 mm thickness was
printed in a mix of resin and ABS material and the windshield was printed in clear resin. The wheels were also printed from resin/ABS. The special wheel nuts are special production made from aluminium.

In order to make the model look more realistic and close to the real car the rear end of the Tamiya chassis was modified and a setup installed that carries exhaust tips made from aluminium and a gearbox.

The painting of the body was quite time consuming, as when the printed parts come out the surface is not smooth. So putty, several coats of primer and sanding is needed before the body colour can be applied. Several coats of yellow followed and in the final step the surface was polished with 3000 grid sanding paper and then polished to a high shine.

For details like Logos, lights, wiper, intakes I created decals, which were applied in the final step.

This 1/10 model is a prototype from a prototype. But unlike the original car the smaller pendant is running and able to hit the track.

Contributor: Michael Leonhard from Vienna, Austria

Customised Tamiya Rough Rider inspired by the Funco Buggy


One of our readers, Hector Coronel from the Philippines, sent us some photos of his fantastic customised Tamiya Rough Rider / Buggy Champ which we would like to share with you.
He added 16 new panels, scratchbuilt the engine (no 3D print) and narrowed, lengthened and lowered the RR body shell: