simensays

Since you ask in the OG post, what does cutting body panels entail? Are you planning on doing secrions/panels to replace broken parts of the WW body? There are really no parts of the actual body that breaks from what i've experienced, so see no demand for that? Pretty much every single part of the original WW is available as a reproduction these days, most are 3D printed, but I'd love to see a metal body or more metal parts for sure!

My supply of wheel inserts for the original Wild Willy wheels has run out, and with the high prices for these insert on eBay - I designed my own. I haven't printed them yet (so not made available for others yet), but it can't get more basic than this...

It's great to see other Wild Willy enthusiasts indeed! Did you go forward with the parts making? It would be amazing to see a Full Metal Wild Willy! I've been designing parts for my many Wild Willys for years now, but would love to see what you are describing. I've designed the Wild Willy body as per the original, with all the parts separate that makes up the kit. I've been 3D printing the parts i need, but would love to get a CNC machine to make custom parts.

I use Tamiya Olive Drab TS5 or Tamiya Olive Drab 2 TS28 for my box art WWs. The TS28 is a little darker in color, which i like personally, but I'd say the TS5 is the closest to the box art color. TS5 TS28 The lighting in the two photos are different, so hard to detect the different - which is subtle anyways. Here is a TS paint chart by Tamiya:

anything released post the 80s.

After getting some questions regarding the availability of the Wild Willy Hex Wheels, I've made them available on my Shapeways page. Princing on SW has gotten ridiculous the last couple of years as I've mentioned earlier, so I do not advise or promote buying stuff from them. I do not make money of these wheels, I pay the same price when buying them for my projects - Shapeways sets the price. Link to the wheels on Shapeways.

Nice - the subtle detailing definitely add depth to the body. I've played around with some various add-ons to my collection of WWs, both with accessories and custom add-ons, paint schemes and so on.

Yup, I agree that the GF01 is a very good modern option, with plenty of possibilities as a WW runner. However, the original rear wheels will not fit a GF01, or any other 12mm hex axle as far as i understand. I made my GF01 to look like the original WW, and designed some bolt on wheels that fits the original tires. It's the same wheels as pictured on the WW2 in my previous post, but the WW2 has an upgraded front set up to run hex pattern rims in the front also. The wheels are a direct fit for the GF01 and the sand paddle tire. I've documented most of these mods and parts here: This is my GF01 Wild Willy - with a Sport Tuned motor - ready for final paint and detailing. . The WW2 is on the left, and the GF01 is to the right.

As somewhat of a Wild Willy enthusiast and collector I'd say keep it as is - replace any missing parts and possibly restore it if need be, and run it on a sunny day if you want. You cn easily replace the mechanical speed controller with na ESC no worries. Upgrading the motor or installing LiPos won't do the car any favours, nor the driving experience. After restoring, rebuilding and modifying twenty-something original WWs over the last 20 years, I don't see an issue with brittle plastic, but rather an old and limited design - which in my eyes makes this model the legend that it has become. Don't get me wrong, running it will break some parts quickly, but that is mostly a result of the engineering. The same parts broke back in the mid 80s as well. What was groundbreaking back in the day, is outdated from todays standards. In perspective, this was the first model Tamiya released with a differential - which is a given in any model today. The motor that came with the kit is plenty for this wheely-happy little car - besides, it is somewhat difficult to find a replacement upgrade anyhow (spur gear related), and part from breaking more parts more parts, more power will only make this puppy flip over even more and ending in little to no run time. Albeit I do have a vintage runner with ESC in my collection, I went the other way - I've played around with various modern platforms to emultate the original WW, like with this WW2 If you're not strung out for the money, I'd say keep it and cherish the car and memories that it represents - and if you're not the sentimental type, sell it and get yourself something more modern. It will for sure be a lot more running, a lot cheaper, and a lot more options for you to choose from whne it comes to upgrades. The original Wild Willy is an iconic piece of RC history.

Andy, you knowledge is broader than mine - I know absolutely nothing about the big rigs, awesome as they are...

Haha, you are correct about the hiccup - I meant 2000 - I got mine in 2002, but I was still mistaken either way then...

LOL, yeah not very original, half the WW threads has one or two jokes on that theme But yeah, get yourself a Wild Willy, both original and WW2 - you probably won't regret it!

The Wild Willy 2 is beloved, but it was released in 2002 and not as a reissue of the legendary Wild Willy. The Wild Willy 2 was the model that got me back into Tamiya collecting as I always wanted a Wild Willy as a kid. It was soon apparent that I needed to get the original one - well, quite a few actually - as there were too many differences from the iconic first release. It is also reasonable to say that there were not that many vintage Tamiya collectors in 2002 as there are today, and with all the rereleases people opted for the cars they once had or wanted, as i.e. the Lunchbox that you mention. Still the Wild Willy 2 has a huge following as fun runners, so saying they do not get that much love is somewhat incorrect. From my knowledge, it has the longest running model in Tamiyas production? I might be wrong, but at least i do not know of any models that was in production for close to 20 years. The waves of reissued kinda killed my enthusiasm for vintage Tamiyas, but I still love my Wild Willy 2, albeit I've customised i to resemble the original Wild Willy.

nope