Baja Bug Inspiration

[80sBasher 25]

I've had my eye on the original Sand Scorcher since my friend got one on release back in the old days, finally have one (re-re) coming in the mail that I'm itching to assemble. I've decided not to go the box art route though but rather do a paint scheme that hews to some of the real-life designs of VW buggies (desert mice) of the 70s and present. Here are some contemporary and vintage bugs I'm looking at for inspiration. Thought I'd share in case anyone else is looking to replicate a real race vehicle with one of the Tamiya buggies.

If anyone has some nice custom designs or original offroad buggy inspiration they'd like to share, please post away, love to see them.

 

 

For those interested, moreracing.net is the home of the Mojave racing organization, fun group to follow. Here's a recent video with a nice bug popping in to view at 5:08:
 

 

Edited February 19, 2022 by 80sBasher

[80sBasher 25]

Not going this route but for a completely crazy look, here's a fully maxed-out bug, well worth a watch 

 

 

[GeeWings 2858]

1 hour ago, 80sBasher said:

Not going this route but for a completely crazy look, here's a fully maxed-out bug, well worth a watch 

 

 

That Bug in the video is insane! Love it! The back-end is so good

[80sBasher 25]

More research 
 

 

[Jonathon Gillham 4690]

Amazing. I have a rere Sand Scorcher and the chassis is assembled but I keep putting off painting the body as there is a lot more to it than a regular body. Good luck with choosing from all of those!

[Re-Bugged 11297]

This is my favourite bug on planet earth, there is another of it ripping up Dubai deserts…

 

I couldn’t bring myself to chop up my Sand Scorcher but I wanted to put my own stamp on it as if it was a 1:1 sitting on the drive while retaining  the classic SS vibe so came up with this.. 

 

[80sBasher 25]

OK that's impressive work right there well done!

[Grumpy pants 5254]

Great thread 👍

@Busdriver 1st post, picture 3 for the Blitzer make over? 

[Busdriver 6281]

10 minutes ago, Grumpy pants said:

Great thread 👍

@Busdriver 1st post, picture 3 for the Blitzer make over? 

 

10 minutes ago, Grumpy pants said:

Great thread 👍

@Busdriver 1st post, picture 3 for the Blitzer make over? 

Might defy my masking skills but plenty of food for thought. I wish there was a tall skinny tyre that fitted the Blitzer chassis, front and rear?

[Kol__ 3390]

9 hours ago, Re-Bugged said:

This is my favourite bug on planet earth, there is another of it ripping up Dubai deserts…

I couldn’t bring myself to chop up my Sand Scorcher but I wanted to put my own stamp on it as if it was a 1:1 sitting on the drive while retaining  the classic SS vibe so came up with this.. 

 

Nice work, looks cool mate.

Why does Tamiya's Sand Scorcher rear wheels always have so much positive camber? It's such an odd look

[Saito2 7334]

3 hours ago, Kol__ said:

Why does Tamiya's Sand Scorcher rear wheels always have so much positive camber? It's such an odd look

Because the action roughly mimics that of the earlier full-size VW Beetle's swing axle rear suspensions that behaved the same way.

[Willy iine 18826]

Mine looks a bit shorter, taller, and comical than all the prior examples ..  

[Kol__ 3390]

17 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

Because the action roughly mimics that of the earlier full-size VW Beetle's swing axle rear suspensions that behaved the same way.

Ah I see, thanks @Saito2

[Re-Bugged 11297]

As @Saito2 says @Kol__ the suspension design is very close to how the original 1:1 works.

With a bit of throttle from the transmitter the camber can be adjusted accordingly though to one’s taste 😃

[Willy iine 18826]

Your car looks real, @Re-Bugged   Such a nice car you got there, I love it!   

[80sBasher 25]

Some more gorgeous real life paint jobs here among these sand runners
 

 

[OoALEJOoO 3257]

@Re-Bugged your Scorcher is really something special. The choice of color and form is absolutely incredible!

[80sBasher 25]

Came across this interesting article from a few years back, Baja model recreation using the scorcher. Lots of detailed brass tubing work going on here though that's way beyond anything I've attempted. 

https://www.rccaraction.com/amazing-baja-build-project-tamiya-sand-scorcher/

[Futura 199]

The latest Volksworld has a couple of cracking Baja bugs in it.

[Busdriver 6281]

For me the biggest issue trying to produce an accurate looking Baja bug is wheels. Nobody produces a 2wd set of tall skinny wheels like the ones in the videos????

[Kol__ 3390]

10 hours ago, Willy iine said:

Your car looks real, @Re-Bugged   Such a nice car you got there, I love it!   

+1 on that @Willy iine, I had to do a double take at first to see it was an RC!

[Busdriver 6281]

I’ve been posting in various places re either narrowing a Blitzer or about different wheels and tyres. Most of the thoughts are based around this post!!

now here’s a thought there have been many efforts to turn hex wheels into bearing fitting, in fact I have a useless lump of aluminium that is supposed to do that, but fails miserably!!! BUT has anybody tried to do it the other way round ie convert a bearing wheel to hex fitting???

[Busdriver 6281]

Getting there!!!

[Busdriver 6281]

I’m going to sacrifice one of the many CC01 wheels I have to try and have the same wheels front and rear like in some of the videos. I’m going for the Rising Star look!

[GeeWings 2858]

1 hour ago, Busdriver said:

I’m going to sacrifice one of the many CC01 wheels I have to try and have the same wheels front and rear like in some of the videos. I’m going for the Rising Star look!

Yes! That could look great. looking forward to seeing it.