cantforgetthe80s

Yeah I get you on that. For me, I'm not really going out and bashing anymore so I really like the idea of a hyper lifelike dynamic model that can actually fire up once in a while so I'm an OG Tamiya fan exclusively. But that said, I totally understand about the clones.

I actually said that and blamed our President for the poor economy. Seems was edited out...

Seems lots of models for Vintage Hilux/blazer on ebay right now. Anyone think a re- release is in the works? Or everyone just aging out of the hobby?

Isn't this the guy building a $3500 value NIB vintage Blazing Blazer kit?

This is the hilux (?) gearcase. Maybe Bruiser also??

Thanks, I figured they were old. So I have both front and rear of these (pictured). The box had an old gear case which is def hilux by I gotta go through it and see if all the parts are there for it.

Inherited a box of what I assume to be vintage or re re Bruiser trans and axle parts. I don't have any need so I'm going to just auction off but was wondering if anyone could be willing to confirm? Thanks very much!

Lol. I have to agree with this. But in their defense, I think we all feel a but of the same thing - we couldn't afford them when we were young, so we're trying to fill an emotional void now. Emotional security in numbers? That one guy though who passed (was it in Australia?) Had a ridiculous amount of stuff he was never going to get to in his lifetime. I also agree, the detail of the new stuff isn't as interesting, I would reserve that exclusively for modern racing buggies, and not in terms of engineering, but just the lack of realism. But I do notice a lack of popularity, especially on EBay, in accessories, vintage hop ups, etc, even trades I have posted, that sit now that didn't 5 or 7 years ago. To me it indicates those "old guys" are getting older and less interested.

I had one with the screw head off. Then used a small left handed carbide drill bit. Nothing. Tried boiling it, used WD40. In another one tried drilling all the way through the screw but it took out too much of the aluminum with it. Torx bit couldn't grip the stripped out head on another. It caught for a moment then spun. The flathead screws holding the bumper mounting bracket were glued in as well. Salvaged two A arms. The bracket and one half of the gear case. Had to crack the bumper in half to work the worst - those two inset screws - out.

Thanks all very much. Fortunately these are in re-re status. Because complete destruction of the gearbox was ultimately the only solution. A total of 5 different strategically placed screws with broken or stripped heads and 30 year old lock tite on the threads made alternative methods virtually impossible. Whatever they are making military tanks out of, they should reconsider using the brutal combo of material for these black Tamiya screws and ancient locktight. Good news is the Thorp diff is pristine and in tact. Although I see some rust in those internal screws also, so looking like a second project will be undertaken soon to refurb it ....

Thanks. The torque bit I'll give it a shot, but these screws are harder than kryptonite lol. So the head on one is already completely off. But the screw is threaded into the metal frame and inset in the hole unfortunately so it has to get either drilled or screwed out as far as I can tell..

Found a nice vintage Super Champ and the gearbox has an original Thorp ball diff installed - so I need to get the gearbox apart. Problem is the two inset black screws that hold the rear bumper in place are completly destroyed/ stripped at the head. I can't cut the aluminum case with a dremel wheel because the wheel will heat up and shatter. (From prior experience!) So those screws have to come out to take it apart. I was thinking carbide bits and just drill all the way through them, but after testing titanium bits on a sample screw it didn't seem to do much damage. My other thought was to try a carpenter's trick and create a slot on what's left of the screw and use a flathead to unwork it, but I can't figure what would cut into this screw effectively in such a tight channel. For reference in the photos, it's the two screws that inset into the rear bumper beneath the "FS" plate. Any thoughts would be appreciated. These things are literally bullet proof.. .Thanks!

That sounds like a great scene! Tamiya could do some things to be more competitive I think overall. But still getting kids out there and engaged at that young age is great.

Superhornet is a great car. Many of us remember the original Hornet 1 release. And similarly the Rough Rider was before I got into it by 9 years, but later in life I like those cars for the uniqueness and realism. So point well taken.

My wife keeps telling me to open a Facebook account if only just for the Tamiya interest. I've been tempted. But made into my 40s so far without it and really haven't the time or interest now. Or maybe it's just the principle of it? I'd much rather be on a site like this, even if fewer people participate. Though it's nice to know there's a broader interest still out there.

I've done the same thing with various kits I had and then always regretted it and sought to replace them. I guess when the time eventually comes that I no longer want to replace is when the love has officially died lol. But also I agree, especially in the US where the govt now wants every extra dollar we have and then some to correct the inflation they created themselves it really puts the brakes on collecting and restorations.

I agree with this. I'm in my late 40s and I think another ten, fifteen years is probably the max it makes sense for manufacturing the rere kits from that time. But hey hopefully younger people get into them also. Imagine a 100 year Rough Rider anniversary edition...

I think this is what I was getting at. The innovative posts and cofabs, and the silence of many of the real knowledgeable members who ten and fifteen years ago were posting all kinds of innovative mechanical designs and paint tricks and trims has grown a bit, and I've not seen those particular voices replaced. I agree the hobby as a whole must move forward and grow. Like you and others in this forum I've always felt a fondness for the vintage class, and as with many of those members it defined my intro to RC years ago. And like you, I'll not stop I think until death or health prevent me. My wife has my Ebay sign info and I suspect it will be quite the one time deal when the time comes lol. I'll check out Mokei K, I'm not as familiar as it seems I should be.

Same here. I run the latest Associated once in a while, but generally just build, run and then sell. The vintage Tamiya for me are definitely nostalgic and feel like they're much more readily modifiable in terms of style and look.

I'm just asking whether there seems to be less people interested in them overall... like a smaller group still active in them than say 5 or 10 years ago... and thanks, I edited the question to be more direct.

I know the economy is flattening worldwide right now and everyone has to tighten their belts a bit financially since the pandemic... But was wondering if there is a sense that the overall group of people interested in the vintage styles is starting to age out? Seemed to be much more excitement, activity, creative postings and movement - both on Ebay and here - 5+ years ago than now around the classics. Do you think if the re-re wave had hit now, vs 11 years ago, it would see the same impact? Does it feel like more than a decade has passed already since the Sand Scorcher re-appeared on the dunes? * Here's a nice POV photo of the Bug still going strong at the beach..