Explain Me Shelf Queens

[Grumpy pants 5497]

I’m a big fan of shelf queens personally, 3D art to me and visual pleasure. 

I have a few Tamiya models which are to fragile and valuable to me to want to risk running and damaging them.
 

I did run Blazing Blazer with some TC mates a few years  ago and it didn’t go well, the AA battery pack split just enough for 1 AA to slip out, the truck was then unconnected to the handset, and promptly stuffed its self under a van. 
 

Thankfully aside from a few tears 😭 and scuffs it was very fortunately almost unscathed! 
 

I like to occasionally run a T in the back garden, but modern, low value and robust is my thing, £100 - £200 is where my heads at.

Once any T starts to hit costs of £350 upwards, then I stop counting 😂

[Wystan Withers 356]

On 6/22/2024 at 6:04 PM, Juggular said:

This shell is just sitting on a Frog chassis without a way to secure it.  Did anybody make 3D printed adapters?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5808128

And an early style Ford script tailgate if you want to get fancy.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4829039

Dunno how big a town you're in, but over here there are 'Maker Clubs' scattered about which rent space in local library basement or somesuch and have donated printers and cnc's and whatnot and get together from time to time to, well, make stuff. if you don't have a buddy with a printer, it might be worth checking if there is a similar club or school robotics club nearby.

[Nicadraus 6482]

I have two shelf queens but both are runners that get to experience outdoor driving once in a while. I drive them in a well-behaved manner, in an open space to avoid any bumps or scratches. 

[Verskis 406]

I want to play with the toys I have, therefore no shelf queens for me, thank you.  But I am also not a collector of vintage Tamiyas (or other vintage stuff).

Even if sometimes it is hard to see that the body shells that I gave so much care and love get damaged, I don't want them to just sit static on the shelf. I can always get and prepare new bodies when they get too much damaged.

 

[Verskis 406]

On 6/22/2024 at 5:33 PM, Kpowell911 said:

Explain to my why you run Tamiy RCs in 2024? Theres much better/faster/stronger/cheaper options?

Tamiya is one of the few RC companies that are making nice and proper scale bodies for touring cars and rally cars. That's one of the reasons to buy Tamiya, even if it would only be for the shells.

There's also not that much competition in the gravel ready rally cars, Tamiya's XV-01 and XV-02 are the cream of the crop in that arena in my opinion. 

I also like Tamiya's commitment to the M-chassis cars, even though I disapprove the phasing out of the M-05 and M-06 because of the releasing of the MB-01.

And last but not least, Tamiya has pretty good worldwide spare part availability, and usually seem to support the older cars with spares longer than most companies. Only Traxxas is better in these aspects. 

[Pylon80 3650]

10 hours ago, Verskis said:

Tamiya is one of the few RC companies that are making nice and proper scale bodies for touring cars and rally cars. That's one of the reasons to buy Tamiya, even if it would only be for the shells.

There's also not that much competition in the gravel ready rally cars, Tamiya's XV-01 and XV-02 are the cream of the crop in that arena in my opinion. 

I also like Tamiya's commitment to the M-chassis cars, even though I disapprove the phasing out of the M-05 and M-06 because of the releasing of the MB-01.

And last but not least, Tamiya has pretty good worldwide spare part availability, and usually seem to support the older cars with spares longer than most companies. Only Traxxas is better in these aspects. 

To add up to that I think we should mention the TA-08 Pro. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe anyone else makes a sub-400$ TC car with all the state of the art features you expect in 2024 (2 oil filled gear diffs, quasi-TRF shocks with modern hex ball connectors, modern camber adjustment, active rear tow, adjustable anti-squat/toe for the rear suspension blocks, proper hardware, ball raced steering etc). The "problem" with Tamiya is when you sink 3 times that money on a TT-02 and get chronically disappointed (you know, when you replace a slopy plastic part with a sloppy aluminum one).

On the "modern" buggy side then I agree, only the most hardcore Tamiya fan would pay 350$ for a buggy that comes with CVA's while not even satisfying any sort of vintage nostalgia. AE/Schumacher/TLR and maybe others all have a pro level buggy for hardly more money. Does that mean we must purchase a TD-0x and quickly put it on the shelf? Maybe. It will certainly be a really cool piece of hardware in 20 years when your kids (or grand kids :D) ask "uh? What's a TD-02?".

[Verskis 406]

1 hour ago, Pylon80 said:

To add up to that I think we should mention the TA-08 Pro. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe anyone else makes a sub-400$ TC car with all the state of the art features you expect in 2024 (2 oil filled gear diffs, quasi-TRF shocks with modern hex ball connectors, modern camber adjustment, active rear tow, adjustable anti-squat/toe for the rear suspension blocks, proper hardware, ball raced steering etc). 

Carten T410R got me pretty much all that, except the active rear toe, for only 139€.

Also, the new Xpress XQ3S seems like a great value car as well.

[svenb 4237]

I have about 30 shelf queen's, 2 runners(almost).

My interest is the hunt for rare parts especially titanium screws, tamiya branded electrics and body sets, always in box art and only touring cars.

The value in some of them means I could never run them but I completely understand anyone who does.

[jonboy1 3482]

I never set out to build a shelf queen when I got back into this hobby. My plan was always to build stuff to run and enjoy that way. I think the turning point was when I had just finished restoring my original childhood Astute into the Jamie Booth replica - complete with vintage radio gear. I reckon you can guess where this is going....

Took it out onto the road, all proud and excited. My neighbour across the road saw me gently run it up and down the road and gave an approving nod. All of a sudden, the car veers off to the left and I lose complete control of it. I retrieved it from the kerbstone to discover a snapped steering arm and a heavily scuffed front bumper. I somehow managed not to end up getting arrested for GBH when my neighbour asked if I meant to do that....) For those who have tried to restore an Astute,  you'll appreciate how my heart broke (along with my wallet) when I saw that, as those are two parts that are almost impossible to find. Eventually I did, but it was over a year of searching later and far, far too much money. Since finishing the final restoration on that it has sat in a glass display cabinet and other than gentle spin around the garden that's all it would ever get.

Believe me, I totally get the reverse psychology of collecting every hop-up that is designed to make it more effective in a race for it only to sit static, but there are 3 things that justify it:

1: I get a huge amount of enjoyment from the build process, so it is money well spent on that count

2: I get a lot of enjoyment from the "chase" of researching and tracking down all the parts

3: I think there is value in preserving things like this. I love the fact I've got a completely original Egress with the pozi universal shafts, dynatech 02R and cpr-P160. How often would you see another one like that? Would I ever be able to replace it if I broke it running it????

4: (I lied, there are 4 things) They are beautiful pieces of engineering art. I used to build loads of plastic scale models when I was a kid, but it always bothered me that they were completely static and "fake" - in the sense that the shocks didn't work, the wheels didn't turn, the motor was just a piece of plastic. With RC cars they are all 100% functional. I doubt there is a single person who hasn't built a Hi-Cap or Big Bore Buggy damper and just looked at it in awe of its' beauty. They deserve to be shown off and appreciated for the pieces of art they are (I exclude the Falcon of course!  )

[BuggyGuy 1140]

My shelf queens are unintentional, or race cars that you can no longer source parts for.

I've got RC10B2/3/4's, Predators, Xray T1, Supastox and a few others. They aren't really worth that much second hand (other than the Predators) so I just rebuilt them and have them on display.

I do have cars with no electrics in though, as I don't want to buy motors/speedos/servos/recievers for 30+ cars. So my CC02 is currently a shelf queen until I take the electrics out of my CR01. Same with my 2WD TRF buggies - the electrics are in my TRF211XM, so the 201XR and the box stock one are currently shelf queens as well.

[Gun Slinger 393 164]

On 6/22/2024 at 3:10 AM, Pylon80 said:

As in the title and I mean it absolutely respectfully. I am seeing so many of my fellow members obviously fulfilled by building RC vehicles that will not move under their own power, ever, but rather will be displayed - and much loved in that role. 

I always thought that perhaps if I had a long and special history with one vehicle I would one day display it - and there! Shelf queen

But I can only think of one single vehicle that might fit that description one day, maybe.

So here it is, I an just wondering if anyone has any interesting and personal reasons behind their shelf queens projects.

 

I suppose it’s like people who like to have paintings up in there living room or like when your mrs says she just has to have this lamp for the hallway! 
it’s something that when you walk into your own home/personal space puts a smile on your face! 
 

I mean **** me my Mrs has spent more on a cushion for the sofa than a retro Tamiya will cost and all I do is put my ******* on that haha! 
 

It’s a personal thing isn’t it, you do it for yourself not what anyone else thinks of it!

[BuggyDad 5893]

On 6/23/2024 at 7:02 AM, technics said:

How about box queens?

Fully built and then put away in a box. Space is an issue to display more than 1 or 2 for me. But I do this mainly because I can’t stand the topic anymore once it’s done. 6-18 months of problem solving, research, being inspired then being drained again… I get tired / bored / only see the flaws in the subject vehicle I’ve made.

Boxed away for x amount of time makes you drop the emotions you have about it and appreciate it more for what it was, what you were able to do at a period of time. Till the inspiration furnace warms up again to display, run or sell.. if the flame never comes back. 

I have never sold any of my “long” wrc builds, but I have sold all of the shorter ones.

My longest build and longest period boxed up one below.. still need to address some wire management and dremelling to get some of that chunky tire clearances at full lock.

 

Can I just say, that car there is something else. If building RC cars meets art, it does so here. One of my absolute faves on TC. 

For me, I haven't had anything approaching a shelf queen before. My Mid has an immaculate body I don't really run but the rest of it is well used. In the case of that car I like that about it - its scuffs give it some life. I think I get shelf queens but the idea wasn't for me. And then just the other week I bought three vintage cars, pretty much on a whim, I'm really excited about receiving them and have no intention of running any of them more than just a little test. They'll likely get some restoration work but with the intention of preservation and presentation, not running. I'm not really in control of the directions this hobby takes me and I rather like that. Those cars should bring me some joy as my others do but unlike my others they should retain their value. If/when I sell, I guess I'll sell them first, which is OK. 

Most of us have lots of stuff in our houses that exists for no real purpose other than ornament. And in my case, if the choice was mine alone most of it I'd rather be without. It's largely been accumulated with little meaning. If I was alone in my house, a couple of Tamiya cars could well make the cut alongside half a dozen paintings, my Mum's grandfather clock, and a handful of things my son and I have made.

At least they're small enough to go on a shelf. Can't say that about my gran's bike from when she was a WWII air raid warden. Certainly one of my favourite possessions but I've no idea what to do with it!

[Gebbly 793]

13 minutes ago, BuggyDad said:

my gran's bike from when she was a WWII air raid warden

That sounds like an extremely cool family heirloom. Be sure to keep it lubricated to protect from corrossion. If you have a workshop or shed or even a large room you could mount it on the wall for example searching for "bike wall bracket" found

[technics 3231]

@BuggyDad Wow, thank you for the kind words. I still plan on photographing and running it in Monte Carlo like environment snow dusted concrete and ice, maybe this winter 👍🏻 
 

I have stratos #2 ( and 3 ) ideas which will come to life in the near future.

[alvinlwh 7226]

While I don't think or care much about shelf queen's, here is one that definitely should be a shelf queen, no matter which side of rhe fence you are on.

https://www.associatedelectrics.com/teamassociated/cars_and_trucks/RC10B6.4CC/Kit

[Pylon80 3650]

16 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

While I don't think or care much about shelf queen's, here is one thar definitely should be a shelf queen, no matter which side of rhe fence you are on.

https://www.associatedelectrics.com/teamassociated/cars_and_trucks/RC10B6.4CC/Kit

For sure! For this one, a part of me thinks it's ridiculous (an RC car that cannot be run...) but at the same time it might be the most honest shelf queen kit ever made. No one's pretending they can run this one at a moment's notice.

[Mechanic AH 599]

I've been at a point for quite some time where I'm already past running, racing, or bashing cars--but then building I still truly enjoy. I've pretty much tried a lot of cars in the past and haven't really had the itch to run most again. My collection isn't as much as others but currently 80+ unbuilt and built cars, and some have multiple kits. Maintaining and cleaning the ones that have been ran can be tedious and time consuming especially on my end because I tend to be meticulous. And some parts to replace when broken are scarce or expensive, more so with uncommon vintage kits, and can add up quickly in cost. Not to mention, I like to upgrade the parts of almost all the cars I have and the expense starts to go way north. Building new and clean cars then running/bashing them is easy but restoring and cleaning takes effort. Maybe for me it's the cycle of "been there, done that" and now I'm able to fine tune what I like most about the hobby. I do have a handful of runners that I set aside whenever I get the itch to run an RC car but for each model I keep 4-5 kits for spares in case I break a part.

[Jourduson 35]

I have 5 Tamiyas and 3 Kyoshos, all buggies and 6 of them vintage re-re-editions. I've built each one the best and as nice as I could at the time and have come to the conclusion that any damage from driving that doesn't impair the function is a part of the car's history. Like old scars from a life well lived. And yes, each one has its own shelf and some with the box art as a background. I try to run all as much as possible but I do have my favorites.

[GermanTA03Guy 1373]

On 6/23/2024 at 8:02 AM, technics said:

How about box queens?

Fully built and then put away in a box. Space is an issue to display more than 1 or 2 for me. But I do this mainly because I can’t stand the topic anymore once it’s done. 6-18 months of problem solving, research, being inspired then being drained again… I get tired / bored / only see the flaws in the subject vehicle I’ve made.

Well said. E.g. my lancia 037 project had me burned out in a way like that. It started with a car that i only bought because of the included hopups and tried to sell (im really bad at that) , but it came back and i wanted to do a quick restomod. This got so out of hand that it nearly consumed me for a year... and i planned to really run it, but in the end it got precious again to me.... 

[technics 3231]

@GermanTA03Guy I would love to capture the running in video. I have not figured out what would be the best way just yet for me. There is a very good Tamiya rc fb group member named “Katu” which uploads the nicest running videos which are very inspiring. 

[donfilippo 637]

My collection is quite small. 3 runners (Wild One, DT-02 and BBX), some NIB kits and 2 shelf queens. The shelf queens are a pair of Kyosho Turbo Optimas fitted with Javelin cages. I had built one, with the intention of running it. Then the other one came up for sale, built but un-used. They make such a nice couple on the shelf, I cannot bring myself to put scratches on one of them. 

A RC-10 is my next project that might end up as a shelf queen, too.