Category Archives: Vintage

Tamiya RC Live with reports to racing events and Tamiya RC history



Introduction of off-road meeting in Kakegawa and Tamiya RC history!
・We introduce the “Off-Road Meeting in Kakegawa” held at the Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit Off-Road Course on Sunday, May 28th. Pay attention to the “M-RALLY” class, which was held for the first time on an off-road course! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2002. The “Ford Focus RS WRC 02” developed for the 2002 WRC victory, the “Beams Integra” that won 1st and 2nd place in the C-4 class at the 2001 Tokachi 24-hour race, the “F201 chassis kit (original with body)”.


Introducing the Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship Okayama Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
・We introduce the pattern of the “Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship Okayama Tournament” which finally started. Please pay attention to the race that became a heated development in each class with the right to represent the “Tamiya World Champion Decision Battle 2023”! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2002. The “Mini Cooper”, which was fully remodeled in 2002, and the “CLK-DTM 2002 AMG-Mercedes”, which was driven by former F-1 driver Jean Alesi in the 2002 DTM, and 2002. You can see “Raybrick NSX 2002” with the motif of the vehicle of Team Kunimitsu with MOONCRAFT.

Tamiya RC Live – Introducing the 61st Shizuoka Hobby Show, Toyota Challenge Cup and Tamiya RC History



Introduction of the 61st Shizuoka Hobby Show, Toyota Challenge Cup Day 1 and Tamiya RC history!
・Introducing the “BLOCKHEAD MEETING” held at Sumpu Castle Park on Thursday, May 4th. Pay attention to the overwhelming number of off-road machines running all at once! ・Introducing the “61st Shizuoka Hobby Show” held at Twin Messe, Shizuoka City for 5 days from May 10th (Wednesday) to May 14th (Sunday). We will also deliver the installation view of the “BBX” and “MB-01”, which were exhibited as new products at the venue and attracted attention. ・You can see the “Toyota Challenge Cup Day 1” held on Saturday, May 13th at Nanbu Gymnasium in Shizuoka City. Also pay attention to the “WRC” class on a special circuit with a powerful big jump! ・Tamiya RC history introduces RC released from 2001 to 2002. The “Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII WRC”, which adopted the TB-01 chassis, which was popular for rally driving at the time, and the “Nissan Fairlady Z”, which became synonymous with Nissan sports cars. Please see the “Ferrari F2001” that has become a hot topic.


Introduction of Toyota Challenge Cup Day2, information on Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship 2023 and Tamiya RC history!
・ We deliver the state of the Tamiya booth at “CHIMERA GAMES” held in Odaiba, Tokyo on May 20th (Sat) and 21st (Sun). The RC experience corner was a big hit with the children! ・The “Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship 2023” will finally start with the “Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship Okayama Tournament” on June 17, 2023. We will introduce the introduction of each holding area and strategy points. ・Introducing the “Toyota Challenge Cup Day 2” held on May 14th (Sun) at Nanbu Gymnasium in Shizuoka City. Please also pay attention to the “JJ” class, which is limited to elementary and junior high school students and women, and the “Parent-child” class, where parents and children join forces to compete! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2002. -Based on the Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge, which debuted at the 1999 Geneva Show as the fifth generation of the Ferrari 308, and the Toyota MR-S Racing, which first adopted the short wheelbase TA-04SS, and the Mercedes-Benz CLK. Please take a look at the “HKS CLK” developed for the 2002 JGTC.

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

Newest Tamiya RC Live videos



Introduction of Spring Cup / Rally / Formula E and Tamiya RC history!
・We introduce the “Spring Cup / Rally” and “Spring Cup / Formula E” held at Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit on March 18 (Sat) and 19 (Sun). Please pay attention to the “M Rally” class, which was held for the first time this time, and the “Formula E” class, which excited the venue with high-level race development! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2001. “Subaru Impreza WRC 2001 complete body specification”, “Lancia 037 Rally” featuring a styrene resin body, and “Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM 2000 Team Original Tire” that fought the reborn DTM (German Touring Car Championship) revived under new regulations.


Introduction of Tamiya Grand Prix Inn Kansai, Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Kansai Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
Introducing the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Kansai Tournament”. Please pay attention to the hot race of the “Tamiya Touring” class, which was a close battle from beginning to end! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2001. The “TXT-1” that reproduces the monster truck that runs through the stadium, the “Ford Focus RS WRC 01” that appeared in 2001 and was very successful in the WRC, and the “TA04-R Chassis Kit”, the highest peak of the TA04 series.


Introduction of Tamiya Grand Prix Inn Aichi, Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Aichi Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
“Tamiya Grand Prix in Aichi” held at Nagoya Port Garden Wharf Rinko Ryokuen on April 22nd (Sat) and 23rd (Sun) and “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Aichi Tournament”. Also pay attention to the race of the “4WD buggy” class, where many of the new TT-02BRs released last month participated! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2001. The “Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car”, which has been active in world races such as JGTC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the “TB Evolution II Chassis Kit”, which is an evolution model of TB Evolution, and the combination of Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Satoshi Motoyama will compete in All Japan. The “Calsonic Skyline GT-R 2001” that competed in the GT Championship will appear.

Tamiya RC Live – New product introduction 2023 and Tamiya RC history



March / April 2023 New product introduction, TT-02SRX, TT-02BR release commemorative special and Tamiya RC history!
・2023 Introducing new products that will be released in March and April 2019. Information on optional parts that can be used for the “TT-02SRX” and “TT-02BR”, as well as a running video of the new product “Toyota Celica GT-FOUR (ST165)” released in April will be released! ・In commemoration of the release of “TT-02SRX” and “TT-02BR”, a comparison run of “TT-02SRX” and “TT-02SR” and a “4WD buggy” class that can be used in the popular class of the Tamiya Grand Prix ” A lineup of interesting information such as comparison runs between TD4 and TT-02BR! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2000. The “Mammoth Dump” and “Loctite Zexel GT-R (R34)” equipped with a gimmick that allows the cargo bed to move up and down, and the “Subaru Impreza” modeled in honor of Arai, who showed great success in the 2000 WRC season. WRC Arai specification” appears.


Additional information on new products in the first half of 2023, introduction of Thailand International Touring Car Race 2023 and Tamiya RC history!
・Introducing additional information on new Tamiya RC products for the first half of 2023. Introducing the actual “Porsche 911 GT3 (TT-02)” and explaining the chassis structure of “Fiat Abarth 1000TCR Berlina Corsa (MB-01)” by Tamiya Maezumi! In addition, we also release a video of the new off-road RC “BBX” running on the Tamiya Circuit. ・We deliver the “Thailand International Touring Car Race 2023” held in Thailand in February 2023, the atmosphere of the local race venue, and the race pattern of the “TT-02 One Make” class. Check out the setting method of the TT-02 chassis, which is the machine that TRF Suzuki Kiyokazu will participate in! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2001. The “Subaru Impreza WRC2001 Prototype” modeled after the prototype of the new Impreza that played an active part in the 2001 WRC, and the Corvette race specification “Corvette C5-R” and “Subaru Impreza WRC2001” that are representative of American sports! *Each delivery is scheduled for 60 minutes. Appearances Tamiya Satoshi Maezumi, Riku Sunahara *You cannot watch before the live distribution time (you can see the archived video after distribution). *Video and audio may be disturbed due to circumstances such as communication conditions, and distribution may be canceled without notice.

Tamiya RC Live – Tamiya Grand Prix Aichi and Tamiya RC history



Introduction of Tamiya Grand Prix Inn Aichi and Tamiya RC history!
・Introducing the “Tamiya Grand Prix in Aichi” held at Nagoya Port Garden Wharf on Saturday, February 25th. We will also introduce the machines selected by Condele and the setting sheets of the top players! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2000. Team Kunimitsu with Mooncraft’s “Raybrick NSX (2000 spec)” that competed in the 2000 season of the All Japan GT Championship, “Castrol his Tom’s his Supra (2000 spec)” and “Opel V8” that showed success in the same year coupe will appear.


Introduction of the Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Aichi Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
・ Introducing the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Aichi Tournament” held at Nagoya Port Garden Wharf on Sunday, February 26th. Please pay attention to the hot race of the “CW-01 Challenge” class, which has become an eventful development! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 2000. Please see the “Toyota bB” and “Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge”, whose unique styles have gained popularity among young people, and the “TB Evolution Chassis Kit”, the first in the TB Evolution series developed as Tamiya’s traditional shaft 4WD chassis. increase.

Tamiya 63303 “Tamiya Model Work” book written by Shunsaku Tamiya


From wooden models to plastic models, RC models and mini 4WD, Tamiya Models’ Work, which describes the path taken by Tamiya Models through numerous interesting episodes, is now available in a paperback edition of a reasonable size and price. In addition to the contents of the long-selling hardcover edition, the book also contains secret stories about the development of aircraft models, waterlines and F1 models, as well as a large number of valuable photographs. (A paperback and e-book edition are now available.)

Contents

Chapter 1: A happy encounter with wooden models
This is how I met models. Is that the inverted gull-shaped wing?

Chapter 2: Turning to plastic modelling in tears
The first model “Battleship Musashi” suffered a huge deficit and made me hungry.

Chapter 3: The Mold is the Life of Plastic Models
The arrogant mould maker, but we have no choice but to endure. Why? The rapid decline of the slot car boom

Chapter 4: Research is the basis of model making
The Aberdeen Tank Museum: a series of discoveries ●The Tamiya Hall completed at the Bovington Museum ●Participation in the restoration of the “Seiran” at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum ●Flying to Israel to cover Soviet tanks ●Covering snow at the Patton Museum at seven degrees below zero ●The wonderful staff who will never be forgotten ●The rival is “Air”! Fix Magazine”? The first issue of “Tamiya News” ●The launch of “Soldier Dolls” greatly expanded modeling expression ●”Pose before two frames”, a secret of Yasuo Otsuka ●Modelling the Schwimmwgen, a famous supporting character on the battlefield ●The joy of dioramas is to weave stories ●Why are tank models so popular ●The birth of unique water lines ●Take Ueda Meeting Hachiro-san

Chapter 5: Going all out is the world of the hobby
The only way is to buy a real Porsche 911 and take it apart ●Former accounting department employee who developed a “quiet RC car” ●Electric RC cars are developed through education that respects employee autonomy Tamiya’s RC cars kick up sand in California. Solar-powered cars – The face of Tamiya in the world, created by F1

Chapter 6: 18 Years of Mini 4WD with its peaks and valleys
The first Mini 4WD failed to win the hearts and minds of children ●The Mini-4WD developed as the younger brother of the Wild Wheelis ●Let’s completely change the design to the speed type ●Children are geniuses at modification and inventors ●Popularity plummets! The Mini 4WD boom is back with a full cowl ●Ingenuity and determination are the real appeal of Mini 4WD racing ●Tamiya’s “Seriousness” is packed into the Mini 4WD.

Last Chapter: A Foreigner’s View of Tamiya Models
Memories of Shunsaku Tamiya Towards Tamiya’s 21st Century

Commentary by Richard Koo (Economist, Nomura Research Institute)

Shunsaku Tamiya, Bunshun Bunko
An e-book version of The Work of Tamiya is also available. Please use the electronic version, which can be easily read on a variety of devices. (Contents are the same as the paperback version.)
To purchase the e-book version, please click here.
Bungeishunju BOOKS e-book ‘The Work of Tamiya Models’