JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 25, 2022 Made some decent progress tonight on the MK1 Golf Group 2 build. Very reminiscent of my Associated 12i that I owned as a teenager. You really get the feel for these crude Tamiya kits but again this was 1981. It makes sense for that era. I knew this was going to be a quick build to some extent. But for 2 hours, I'm shocked I got this far. I'm spending more time looking for a good box art painter than building. The body will get box art paint but in alternative colors I've picked out. These painters are divas, I've contacted a few so far and you can tell because they do good work you're kind of just another plebe contacting them. Mildly annoying since I'm willing to pay top dollar and even tip. Here's where we are now - who decides to start building on a work night at 10pm? This guy. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 25, 2022 Test fitted a new school NIMH - definitely not fitting. It's going to get interesting on the battery part of this build. Will definitely run an ESC and will probably finally break down and buy a new school radio. A Sanwa with smaller receiver and servo to save space. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WillyChang 1814 Posted April 25, 2022 Could use a shorty 2s lipo or even go newskool 1/12 and run 1s pack Your front bumper looks dangerously close to the Duplos, do they clear? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 25, 2022 yes Willy there are no tie rods in yet. Clearance not a problem. Ill check this out regarding battery. I was kind of hoping I could maybe do the soldered cell 80s pan car thing like they did with 80s carpet cars. thanks for popping in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 25, 2022 Interesting to note - My manual is in Japanese only. Thank God for TamiyaBase their PDF had English. 😅 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
svenb 3778 Posted April 25, 2022 It's not my era for Tamiya , I'm more 90's and 2000's but it's smart if not a simple looking chassis. And best of luck with the painting 🤞 have to say I'd be a bit apprehensive knowing how rare it is.😳 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WillyChang 1814 Posted April 25, 2022 8 hours ago, JeffSpicoli said: I was kind of hoping I could maybe do the soldered cell 80s pan car thing like they did with 80s carpet cars. A ladder pack of subCs should fit fine, cells of either religion would be of same diameter... that’s only 5cells wide though. Or a pair of 18650s if you’re not stickler for originality Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy pants 4485 Posted April 25, 2022 A gorgeous piece of Tamiya history. It will be stunning when completed 👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 25, 2022 4 hours ago, svenb said: It's not my era for Tamiya , I'm more 90's and 2000's but it's smart if not a simple looking chassis. And best of luck with the painting 🤞 have to say I'd be a bit apprehensive knowing how rare it is.😳 I def will not be the one painting it, but finding someone has been tough so far. The 3 best so far, no luck - Bitchin Bodies, no response, MR, turned down, Passion UK, no response. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 25, 2022 Checking around, I've got a battery compartment 51mm wide, which seems like a standard width for these cells, and length of 118mm to play with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 27, 2022 Steering servo install. Will be looking for better tie rods that are easier to adjust I HATE doing toe in and toe out. Its back breaking bc I’m hunched over the desk trying to get it perfect. Servo horn and linkage looks like there will be some alignment tweeking needed its not a straight shot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 27, 2022 Test fitting. Motor leads are too long - I might do a direct solder and cut off the connectors even though I really like these old school connectors. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 28, 2022 Curious what people think - Should I direct solder the motor to the ESC and cut off the connectors or shorten the wires and keep the connectors? WWYD? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bRIBEGuy 3045 Posted April 28, 2022 4 hours ago, JeffSpicoli said: Curious what people think - Should I direct solder the motor to the ESC and cut off the connectors or shorten the wires and keep the connectors? WWYD? Your car, your rules! Personally I'd probably do direct solder and go for a clean look... but it depends on what you want. The ESC and 645mg already take it out of the realm of "period correct" and sort of into "resto-mod", so if you want to add a clean modern edge, shorten the wires and get out the soldering iron. Bummer about the issues with finding a painter. I wouldn't think box-art paint would be too hard to do on that body from a technical perspective, but doing it on vintage body definitely ups the stakes a bit! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 28, 2022 26 minutes ago, bRIBEGuy said: Your car, your rules! Personally I'd probably do direct solder and go for a clean look... but it depends on what you want. The ESC and 645mg already take it out of the realm of "period correct" and sort of into "resto-mod", so if you want to add a clean modern edge, shorten the wires and get out the soldering iron. Bummer about the issues with finding a painter. I wouldn't think box-art paint would be too hard to do on that body from a technical perspective, but doing it on vintage body definitely ups the stakes a bit! Yeah it's not easy but still these guys who are pros do this day in day out. My biggest problem is, most of the painters, all their work looks the same. Every painter has a gallery filled with modern offroad buggies with neon colors and tribal graphics. Nobody is doing anything unique. These paint schemes were being used 30 years ago. And they were cutting edge then but not anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
svenb 3778 Posted April 28, 2022 5 hours ago, JeffSpicoli said: Curious what people think - Should I direct solder the motor to the ESC and cut off the connectors or shorten the wires and keep the connectors? WWYD? I never cut wires(or body posts) as I like to swap and change esc's and motors between different chassis's, but if it's just a regular tble-02 ESC then there's nothing to worry about value wise👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 28, 2022 25 minutes ago, svenb said: I never cut wires(or body posts) as I like to swap and change esc's and motors between different chassis's, but if it's just a regular tble-02 ESC then there's nothing to worry about value wise👍 Kinda my thoughts. Shocked how cheap they are. I remember having to save up for my mc112b! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted April 30, 2022 The inspiration for the paint scheme coming on the Golf will be coming from my 2 wheeler Stay tuned. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted May 11, 2022 MaxAmps showed up today. Truly remarkable service and a perfect fit. So so happy. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morrisey0 297 Posted May 12, 2022 1st off, that chassis is just spectacular! I am new to the early Tamiya world, especially to the early pan cars, and that thing is just gorgeous! I have 12Es, 12Is, & 12Ls, but something really speaks to me about the early Tamiya MKs. At this point, I only have a MK5, but I hope to inflate that collection in the future. I have an odd question, do the rear wheels look like the attached, and would these fronts and rears be original to the MK1 Tamiyas? I asked because these came on a Traxxas Fiero GTP I have, and I have yet to find another Fiero with the same wheels on it, so I was super curious where they came from. Looking at your rig may have just answered that question. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted May 12, 2022 13 hours ago, morrisey0 said: 1st off, that chassis is just spectacular! I am new to the early Tamiya world, especially to the early pan cars, and that thing is just gorgeous! I have 12Es, 12Is, & 12Ls, but something really speaks to me about the early Tamiya MKs. At this point, I only have a MK5, but I hope to inflate that collection in the future. I have an odd question, do the rear wheels look like the attached, and would these fronts and rears be original to the MK1 Tamiyas? I asked because these came on a Traxxas Fiero GTP I have, and I have yet to find another Fiero with the same wheels on it, so I was super curious where they came from. Looking at your rig may have just answered that question. HI @morrisey0 The wheels in your photo def appear to be the exact same as my wheels. I don't have them mounted like your fronts with those c-clips or whatever they are called. I have nuts on all 4. I am hoping to somehow rig up some BBS like this guy with rubber tires: https://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=123139&id=19163 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bRIBEGuy 3045 Posted May 12, 2022 On 4/30/2022 at 10:54 AM, JeffSpicoli said: The inspiration for the paint scheme coming on the Golf will be coming from my 2 wheeler Stay tuned. That old Haro is rad!!! On 5/11/2022 at 1:19 PM, JeffSpicoli said: MaxAmps showed up today. Truly remarkable service and a perfect fit. So so happy. If you're willing to pay the price, MaxAmps are top notch (products and service). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted May 12, 2022 25 minutes ago, bRIBEGuy said: That old Haro is rad!!! If you're willing to pay the price, MaxAmps are top notch (products and service). Thanks! Yes, $90. Which for a few packs I'm good with, I'm not in need of 5 or 10 packs or anything crazy. Tho now I want to order a custom 4x3 for my Knightrunner because it will fit perfectly in there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffSpicoli 1363 Posted May 15, 2022 Driver figure painting tonight on a lazy Sunday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites