THE SMOOTHEE

Just picked mine up from the post office. The finish on the body is just as I thought it would be. One happy camper here. It looks slick indeed. My plan was to put some original Hornet decals on the metallic black shell. Now I have seen it with my own eyes, I'll be going this route for sure. Not sure on the wheels yet, but look pretty tough in all black. I can now see why people rave about Stellas' packaging. Very impressive! They were cool enough to slip the other goodies I ordered into the kit box too. Really tempted to grab another one now.

Hi Leigh, You have a great project base there for sure. If you are in no rush, take ya time and strip it down and clean everything first. Then you can inspect what you have a little better, do some research/ask some questions and see exactly what you need. You may then also be able to determine which direction you want to go with her, either runner, full show piece shelf queen, or just get it up for sale. Personally I really like restoring. You may find a great sence of satisfaction in cleaning parts and hunting new ones down to complete the puzzle. Searching here and the net in general for information can been extremely enlightening, there is not much that hasen't been recorded in regards to every facet of this Tamiya legend. Searches can be made quite specific to get the info your after too which is helpful as there is LOTS of pages that will come up if you just search "Sand Scorcher" for example. Please don't take this the wrong way as it is not my intention to tell you to do it yourself, but very helpfull once you start your information gathering. There are many here on T.C. That are more than willing to help, and they are an amazing source of knowledge on this buggy. Love the shell, classic 80's stylein. Which ever route you choose, I'm sure this sleepy ol bug will have you, swearing, crying and laughing along the way. I hope you go the restore, and run her nice and easy, taking your time as you go. Seems she's been resting a while now, so a little longer while some TLC is applied won't hurt anyone. Good luck and have fun. Be sure to post any progress shots you make.

LMAO. True that bro. That's one slick VDF! I have read ya build thread on more than one occasion too, very nicely put together. Would be cool if you could transfer it over here to "The Builds" section somehow.Take note of Willys words my friends. These bad boys will indeed cost you if you have a hop up addiction. Probably more so than any of Tamiyas' chassis. But if done, in my eyes they are, the illest. Can't wait to build mine, still collecting though.

I like hop ups too. It's cool to see a build where the owner has put his/her flavour on it with a few select extras. My OCD was realised as a kid at around 12 years old. I remember my brother asking me what I was doing. I had my throttle and steering servos stripped down and was resoldering the wires back on after a custom shortening job. The old tight wrap around a screwdriver shaft to pigtail it was just not good enough for me. I was also hardwiring my motors to my mechanical speed controls because the connectors were just plain untidy, and I started making my own batteries too. These days almost thirty years on I'm making sure the slot heads in my screws are all parallel with the chassis on my builds, vacume bleeding shocks and checking the unsprung rebound is equal, trimming plastics off the sprue with a scalpel, assembling wheels and tyres so that one of the spokes is pointing at a particular mark on the tyre then matching the other three. And the list goes on. One hot tip I got for ya if you've got hopupitis.....Do not, I repeat do not buy a TA05 VDF

Sick build thread dude. Very nicely put together indeed with well angled shots spaced apart with gaps. And the bold text noting build steps etc. Too cool. Thanks for taking the time to photograph it all and type it all up. For what it's worth from me. Your efforts are very much appreciated...Also thanks for bringing this across to this location. The VDF is one cool drift chassis, and the gold un is just that extra bit special. Nice ride man...Super nice.

Just scored an original NIB for what I think was bargain price. There's Hornets allover up in here. Stoked as, been chasin one of these for a while now. That'll make it three...OG, Re Re, and Black Metallic. I just can't bring myself to love that purple Dalmation lookin thing though. So the three it will be for me.

Awesome idea! You read my mind. Thanks too to the mods for makin it happen. It will make it easier to search one section rather than the entire board.

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking.Don't get me wrong this is awesome news as I really, really dig the Champ. But somewhere deep inside me I was hoping this was gonna be the one they didn't do. The one that many lust for but remains elusive, continuing that special chase to acquire. That for me is part of the magic the hobby holds. I'm without doubt on the list for two of these re re's, To go with my original NIB. Little sad to see Al's name ain't on the side no more either. He will be forever the OG pilot and the one I'll always associate with the Super Champ. Stoked I've got a new spare original decal set here somewhere too. What'd be rad would be a Japanese drivers name for a bit of a switch up. Something like Takahashi Muramoto up the side would kick tail! I just think if ya gonna change it make it significant, and a touch from the homeland would be a fitting change and tribute. I think that many don't quite grasp the stature of the Tamiya Company. They easily have the funding and the ability to recreate past cars and parts or to tweak existing items. Nothing R/C wise from the past is impossible for them to make or rework. As for the cost, a little is passed of into each kit and paid for by us at the end of the day. The Ranger now holds the torch with my little glimmer of hope to be the sacred one. Somehow I feel it to will eventually come. Again as much as I like the Ranger, it will be a sad day.

Just put my order in at Stella.

There are products from Tamiya you could try that are designed to help achieve the result your looking for. http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/87102mark_fit/index.htm

^+1 Dude's got skills! Nice work indeed. I can see this turning out very very nicely, and also being very rewarding for you. Keep it up.

The stock counter gear from the Super Champ is brass if you are in search of something a little stronger. As for the final, I can't recall having seen a brass "spool type" final gear. I have seen quite a few brass balldiff types from a few different manufacturers though. Just because I don't remember seeing a brass spool type final doesn't mean they're not out there. I'm sure others with more knowledge than myself will help out here soon.

Brunette Barbie is hot as! Great to watch those who think outside the square. I'll be following with interest. Keep the pics comin.

The Frog is a true Tamiya legend, an absolute icon amongst their lineup. Personally I can't get enough of em in resto and build threads. For its day of original release, quote a competitive ride also. Lovin The Frog!

Just unboxed and mounted up a full set of brand spankin new You-G front and rear rims and tyres. It was quite a search but worth the wait. They are bad as.

Only one now. My nitro REVO.

For me this is not disappointing but quite the opposite. I have known of this news for a while as it has been discussed here before. I reckon it's cool that the name actually belongs to a flesh and blood dude, and the fact that he was involved in the hobby industry is cool too. Growing up as a kid I actually imagined that Al Ernat was some sort of Baja topgun. The name really sounds like a professional U.S. drivers name. One of, if not my favourite of all the drivers names Tamiya have used. Shodogs signed Super Champ shell is awesome! If it were possible for me, and I had the opportunity for the man himself to autograph mine, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Yo Al if ya readin this you rock. You have been in the imaginations of kids all over the world for decades with your name on the side of the Super Champ. You are etched in Tamiya history for eternity. Now that my friends is cool no matter how you cut it.

This is straight up crazy! Your attention to detail is exceptional. I'll be looking through your parts soon myself to pick up some goodies. Any chance you would like to move the original design AT-4's you made "the ones that tucked inward towards the centreline of the chassis more"? If so be sure let me know. Can't wait to see your weathering finish. She looks sensational as it is. Great work, and keep the pics coming.

Stella job, looks killer!

I want one!