Tamiya Buggy Champ re-re 2023

[Baja500 94]

Just a heads up to anyone who missed out the first time around since NIB 2009, a more affordable price than what these are currently selling for online hopefully.

I may buy another one 🙂🙂

[IXLR8 1275]

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of the BC body shell but maybe this kit could be a more affordable option for building an accurate recreation of the F150 Ranger than using a Sand Scorcher re-re.  That's my objective, anyway.  I guess we shall see.

[smirk-racing 254]

Fun video with some history behind this buggy:

 

 

 

[GToddC5 1656]

27 minutes ago, IXLR8 said:

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of the BC body shell but maybe this kit could be a more affordable option for building an accurate recreation of the F150 Ranger than using a Sand Scorcher re-re.  That's my objective, anyway.  I guess we shall see.

Good point, as the BC is $316.40 on Tower (still on backorder) and the SS is $410.90

[IXLR8 1275]

2 hours ago, GToddC5 said:

Good point, as the BC is $316.40 on Tower (still on backorder) and the SS is $410.90

Oh wow, I was hoping that it would be less than $300.  I reckon there's just too much metal included with the kit to be priced that low.  Also, it appears that Tamiya's metal is more precious than other manufacturer's metal.  For example, an HG P407 kit is still fetching around $200 and it's almost entirely metal.

Anyway, I've seen a number of Rangers posted here and elsewhere on the web that were built on the ORV and even the CC-02 and they look very good.  I have examples of both kits NIB so I could go that route.

[Saito2 7331]

3 minutes ago, IXLR8 said:

Oh wow, I was hoping that it would be less than $300.

Tower coupon codes might bring it in under $300.

[IXLR8 1275]

6 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

Tower coupon codes might bring it in under $300.

The words "Tower Hobbies" and "pre-order" bring forth some very bad memories.  I might look for this one elsewhere.

[Saito2 7331]

1 hour ago, IXLR8 said:

The words "Tower Hobbies" and "pre-order" bring forth some very bad memories.

Oh, I totally agree. I mean, I'll probably still shop there occasionally, but I'll never pre-order a thing from them again after watching folks struggling with the BBX mess.

[GToddC5 1656]

19 hours ago, Saito2 said:

Tower coupon codes might bring it in under $300.

My Tower order came to $225 after discounts. That's a backorder risk I'm willing to take, all day long!

[IXLR8 1275]

I agree, that's a great deal!  The opportunity to save $91.40 definitely sounds tempting.

I really dislike Tower so if I really want the car, I will buy it from someone else.

[RC4x4 150]

I back ordered one from Tower as well. I still have the 2009 in the box. This one will get built and displayed and a few spins in the basement from time to time. This guy started it all for buggies. Gotta have it. 

[tamiya3speed 505]

I wonder what is going on with this?  I put in a backorder for one in like April or May if memory serves right and they still haven’t hit any retailers yet.  I am used to a wait between announcement and release but I don’t see it listed on either the November or December release lists, so we are talking at least January at this point I guess?

[bavee 1093]

It just hit the shelves in Europe.

[donfilippo 521]

It is available at Tamico now. I would love to buy one, but have just ordered one of the last Turbo Scorpions I could find. So the Champ will have to wait. 

[Willy iine 18826]

The Buggy Champ is a fantastic looking car for sure.  I'd like to get one to display next to my Fighting Buggy..

@donfilippo  Congrats on your TurboScorpion purchase.  You won't regret it.  I saw Kyosho America getting more stock in the USA, so perhaps your local channels in EU will get them soon too. 

[Golden 172]

Just got mine in the UK from Tamico. Box art looks red. Manual says ts12 orange. 
 

The stress begins…..!

[Willy iine 18826]

39 minutes ago, Golden said:

Just got mine in the UK from Tamico. Box art looks red. Manual says ts12 orange. 
 

The stress begins…..!

That's got to be a type-o..   well, maybe not.  I would do Ferrari red on mine (TS8 Italian Red).  It's a beautiful color. 

[bavee 1093]

Orange should be periode correct?

[Golden 172]

I really think I’m seriously colour blind! That kinda looks red-ish. But not as red as the box art!

[bavee 1093]

The Auto Haus Beetle is red. And the NGK decal. LINE in CENTERLINE.

The car itself is orange.

In my eye .

[Grumpy pants 5251]

17 hours ago, Golden said:

Just got mine in the UK from Tamico. Box art looks red. Manual says ts12 orange. 
 

The stress begins…..!

I’m pretty sure it a similar colour to Heinz tomato soup, a matte version. 

[joeling 1815]

Been on a bit of a fixation of mine recently. This is the third body I painted in as many weeks. 

 

[Saito2 7331]

On 11/16/2023 at 6:13 PM, Golden said:

I really think I’m seriously colour blind! That kinda looks red-ish. But not as red as the box art!

I always "thought" of the Rough Rider as being red too, but then again finding pictures of it back in pre-internet days was tough. I painted two bodies for mine, a "proper" orange one for the shelf and a red one to run.

[joeling 1815]

A curious issue came up in the 2023 release build. Did not experience this from the previous non 2023 builds (or variants like Sand Scorcher or Buggy Champ).

 

The bearing housing of the motor is too pronounced & interferes with the spur gear. I thought to myself that no issue, I would just grind away the little bit near the spur. However, turned out that the pinion cannot sit fully engaged to the spur across its teeth.

 

In the end, decided to DIY a motor gasket using thickish cardboard I had lying around.

 

Problem solved

 

Nevertheless, a bit weird. First time I encountered this issue. The motor used is a sport tuned but the supplied silver can also had the same issue

[joeling 1815]