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Saito

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  1. The picture currently on Tamiyablog is a picture of the original Wild One as is the Bullhead pic. Ah Rosey, sarcastic as ever. I stated "I see" Tamiya using the FAV dampers. That is opinion my friend to with I am entitled. I could be absolutely wrong, no doubt about it. We'll just have to see. The money in tooling would be saved on spreading out the cash outlay for making the FAV dampers in the first place. I simply felt it was interesting they made dampers just for the FAV if not to be used on a future model. They could use more accurate Wild One dampers from the Hornet and Frog but then why not make those same Hornet/Frog dampers into the Hop-up FAV dampers then? Just a thought. I wasn't presuming it was fact.
  2. I applaud Hibernaculum for going out on a limb with this topic as re-releases are whole are very popular with Tamiya enthusiast. I think most here have answered the question put forth with honesty and accuracy. I suppose a benefit of the re-res is that originals have fallen in price to levels where collectors of lesser means can now obtain kits that would have been out of their reach. Runners can now be revitalized with fresh parts but...for collectors of the originals the mismash of old and new parts IS going to be a mess. Where once there was joy in finally tracking down that elusive part, now there is concern. "Is it what I truely need/want or is someone passing off a re-re part as original?" The Tamiya hobby means different things to different people and thus the re-res are a curse and a blessing to the Tamiya faithful. I do purchase re-releases for running purposes. Its fun to build a new/old design kit with fresh plastics and then take it out and run it like I would have in the 80's and not be terrified of breaking it. But, much like we lament the passing of brick and mortar hobby shops, so have the re-res changed the direction and "feel" of Tamiyaclub. The number of post in the vintage section has dropped while much of the action went into the re-release portion of the forum. There was alot of really neat post back in the day both nostalgic in nature and technical as well. I learned more about vintage Tamiyas and production variances then I could have imagined. I understand there are a finite number of those early cars and that eventually you run out of things to discuss, but I still miss it. I have noticed with a certain uneasiness the mania that surround the re-releases coming down the pike. I've been caught up in it as well. The total unexpectedness of what dream Tamiya might make reality this month is intoxicating. Its great we all are interested in what they will bring out next. The only problem for us nostalgia buffs is we've seen these cars before. To really relive those early days we need to be excited about actual NEW Tamiya releases like we were way back when. Remember all the excitement surounding the High-Lift debut? Now, I admit its up to Tamiya to bring us those new enticing vehicles and things like the Varja aren't it while the re-res are "safe" to get excited about because they bring all that old-school goodness. It just seems when a batch of re-releases are announced, scratch builds and vinatage restorations take a back seat for awhile. I'm not criticizing anyone for their taste. The hobby is unique to everyone. I'm just noting an evolution in the club that has been brought on in part by re-releases. We are in a very interesting situation that most enthusiast of ANY product line never find themselves in. How many other companies bring back old cherished products (not refering to reproduction) to the delight of their fans? I don't see Chevrolet bringing back a near copy of the '55 anytime soon. Its put us all in an interesting situtation filled with a quasi-old/new product line.
  3. I don't think they will modify the body as it was originally kinda generic (anyone notice its similarities with the King Hauler?) while the Clod was a Chevy at one time. Glad to see some interst in the Bullhead. It seems some find it replusive but I love it. Here in the States, the Bullhead was an upgrade from the Clod Buster and Tamiya's answer to the newly release Kyosho USA-1. With its huge semi-tractor body, brightly colored plastics and abundance of chrome, it certainly commanded attention. The funny thing was, after the dust settled it was the original Clod that remained the most popular. The USA-1's quaility and durabilty was sketchy and the Bullhead was too polarizing. You either loved it or hated it. As time past, the USA-1 disappeared and the Bullhead actually dropped in price while the Clod Buster continued to sell strong.
  4. While the original shocks (or variants anyway) are now in production, I still see Tamiya using "bright" versions of the FAV hop-up dampers. They would likely want to get their money out of tooling them up in first place. When they were introduced as an add-on to the re-re, I knew a Wild One was coming for sure.
  5. I like the Suzuki! It is very reminicent of the mini 4x4 version introduced alongside the Wild Willy Jr. First we got a proper RC Unimog and now a Jimmy.
  6. If the prices were about the same and the shopkeepers were respectful, I would definately go to a LHS. I'd even go an hour out of my way for it. If they didn't have the item in stock but would order it and recieve it in a timely manner, that's fine too. I really do miss the experience of browsing the LHS. Eliminating the obvious price difference, the problem I have with the few current LHS left is their attitude toward customers. In my early days, it really didn't matter what brand you had, the owner would get you parts, give advice and even help fix what you had. Tamiya was king but Kyosho, Associated, Losi, Schumacher, Mugen, Yokomo, etc. were still present and respected. It was nothing to see the owner with a Big Brute or Hornet half torn apart on the counter while he helped out some kid. Most of my LHS were friendly places. Today if you're not buying Traxxas stuff or maybe HPI, they don't want to give you the time of day. Say the word Tamiya and you're treated like an alien. Kids are nonexistant in the store. If anybody's socializing, its a small group of middle-aged men bragging about how amazing their T-Maxxes are. I've ordered parts several times from the last LHS in my area and nothing has happened. The owner took my order and then didn't order the parts. No call, no "I'm sorry, I forgot", just nothing. Of course this all plays into the general decline of cusomer service in general, but it doesn't help our hobby.
  7. Great question! On one hand I love the NIB kit. Staring at the kitbox, marveling at the artwork and how different it looks fullsize and not a tiny internet or catalog picture. Slitting the shrink wrap and staring at it again. The kit always looks a bit different without its shrink wrap. Letting my eyes wander over the fine print and side panels. Clasping the sides of the box and feeling it slowly lift off from the slight vacuum created by doing so. And ta-da!, the kit contents in all their unassembled glory. All the spurs, hardware bags and the unfinished body. The intoxicating aroma of the rubber tires that takes you right back to the 80's. Carefully digging down to slide out the colorful decal sheet and the instruction manual that get's you aquainted with the build ahead of you. Its an experience I still savor to this day. RTRs are dead to me. On the other hand, tracking down that elusive used piece for the collection has its charms. When you unbox it and begin turning it around in your hands realizing that after all these years you've finally got it. Knowing that it was passed on, many times by those who have simply lost interest in it, but yet it means so much to you. Used cars have history. If only they could talk! Some of their lives have been rough and some have been greatly enjoyed in the past. Knowing now this kit will get torn down and built back up to hold a special place in a collection or as a runner again. Giving something a new lease on life is rewarding as well.
  8. I agree. If the BF or MB in question is running a stock gearbox, the Sport Tuned would be perfect. Now if you went through the gearbox and upgaded it with re-re Frog dogbone driveshafts and the oldfrogshot screw mod (effectively holding the diff together to prevent separation) then one of the Super Stocks would also work. Bearings are a must either way.
  9. This is a curious turn of events. Back in the 80's, one of Tamiya's strong selling points was that you could get spare parts. My local hobby shops (yes, at one time there were multiple hobby shops locally!) were chock full of Tamiya spares, tires and body sets. Alot of other smaller manufacturers like Nichimo or Royal were hard or impossible to get parts for. If you had a RTR like Tyco, forget about it (although, to their credit Nikko made spares available through the post). Today, if it doesn't say "Traxxas" on it, it isn't there. Period. While I understand hobby shops not carrying Tamiya spares as the general RC public only understands RTR Traxxas stuff, the internet has me perplexed. Tower is lacking in many parts and Tamiya America more often than not has "temporarly not in stock, see your local hobby shop (ha-ha!)" where a price should be. I realize Tamiya America is at the mercy of Tamiya Japan but I do miss the support system completeness of old.
  10. I use to have the whole basement of my old house, but now, in my "new" victorian I share the finished attic with my girl. Dollhouses on one half, RC on the other. Since space is tighter, the runners now go on a shelf unit just outside the kitchen and my shelfers are on display all over the house.
  11. I had this same problem too. Wheel loosens just enough for the cross pin to drop out and bam, dead in the water. Funny thing is, I never remember having wheel nuts loosen on my cars back in the 80's. Ever.
  12. Glad to see some progress Percymon! I finished a few of mine so far. The King Cab project is stalled at the moment. The Pajero is still in progress and the Super Shot purchase will get pushed back for a Bruiser purchase (now that was unforseen when I statred this thread! )
  13. Another consideration that struck me is the DF-02 with some alloy drivetrain upgrades. I know their ground clearance isn't great but the 4wd might help put the power down.
  14. Well after running my new Sidewinder in a Blackfoot 3, I'm amazed at the power. I'm also unsure if this is the chassis to run it in to get its full potential. The drivetrain is certainly tough enough, but the rubbery, piable suspension and general handling of the truck can't seem to keep the power down. After looking through the Tamiya lineup for a tough, simple chassis I settled on a Blitzer or DT-02 Sand Viper. I like the Blitzer's larger tires which will permit me to run on grass easier but it also has the somewhat flexible (though not as bad a the Blackfoot 3's) two piece arms. The Sand Viper seems to have a somewhat "tighter", more precise suspension movement to it, but may struggle(?) in tougher terrain. Any suggestions?
  15. Well The King Cab and MR are trucks but share nothing with the Blackfoot series. The King Cab has a tub chassis. The large part on the B-tree holds the throttle servo and some radio gear while separate piece is a rear guard that bolts behind the gearbox on these trucks.
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