For Sale: Vintage Tamiya Collection

[barneys66]

Morning all - unfortunately the time has come to sell my small collection so they can be enjoyed by others.

 

I put this lot together over a few years to represent all of the cars I had or wanted as a kid (am 50 now..).  None of this would have been possible without the incredible work by @jonboy1 who's had a hand in every single one of them, from a full restoration to a polished helmet, and to whom I'll remain forever grateful.  Various other members have supplied cars and parts, so many thanks to them too.

 

All have been sympathetically refreshed / restored, and nicely detailed with new paint and decals as required (Hornet aside, obviously).  NOS parts were used wherever possible, with the odd repro if no other choice.  I've gently run some in my time, but they were only ever intended to be displayed.  Jon was asked to build them as functional drivers, so I've no doubt they're good to go with a couple of tweaks if needed, but consider them untested for the sake of pedantry.

 

Each comes with an original box, transmitter, and whatever spares I have for that model.  There are a few boxes for the radio gear as shown so these will be first come first served where necessary.  Zero hurry to sell but thought I would try here before eBay, and priority (and the most consideration to sensible offers) will be given to people who can inspect and collect from IP31 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

 

I'll attempt to answer any questions to the best of my knowledge but I'm no expert, just a nostalgic enthusiast - there's a link below to more pics which may answer some of the more obvious ones, but all are sold in good faith.

 

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC4SkG

 

58016 Sand Scorcher (box art) - £695

58016 Sand Scorcher (custom) - £695

58027 F150 Ranger (short arch) - £695

58035 Wild Willy M38 SWB - £795

58045 Hornet (unrestored) - £95

58060 Monster Beetle - £250

58062 Hotshot II - £495

58347 Lunch Box (rere) - £150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jonboy1]

I would like to add that a lot of my blood, sweat and tears went into all of these. I'm sure that @barneys66 has been very thorough with an antibacterial wipe to ensure any trace has since been removed....

I'll try and add a few more details, although my memory isn't what it used to be:

One thing Mr. B. Arney insisted upon was genuine vintage parts being used wherever possible. So all 3 SRBs, M38 and the Hotshot 2 were restored on this principle. This usually involved cherry picking the best vintage screws or buying NOS items. Authenticity was the key, so unless it was unavoidable it will be original and in lovely condition.

The Ranger is a super rare short arch body, there weren't any cracks in this body, so it just had a general tidy and repaint. Front and rear glass are in excellent condition. Bumper is original. It's an exceptionally nice original example. I think it is a mk2 chassis (thicker arms, solid tab on gearbox.) The driver is an original "blue" driver, not a Blackfoot item.

Both Sand Scorchers are original and all the metalwork is "mk1" (tabs on gearbox, thin arms, screws in uprights etc.) 

Build thread on these is here: 

 

 

The Wild Willy is a short wheelbase model in beautiful condition. 

Again, all original vintage, restored to within an inch of their little plastic lives. Only deviation from original on this was I filled the back of the gas can.

The build thread is here: 

some of the pic links have disappeared, if you need any please let me know.

 

The Hotshot 2 is an absolute beauty - I really didn't want to send this one back to Barnsley.

The build for this is here:

 

 

The Monster Beetle is an original model (please note it has the very rare rear glass) that I just tidied up the body on. All original paint and stickers, I just detailed it and freshened it up. A really nice example of this classic.

Similar story with the Lunchbox, although this is a re-re I think. I cleaned up the body and detailed the panel lines etc. A very nice honest example.

As with all my restos, I am happy to fix any issues the new owners may find. As mentioned, they were all running at the time I finished them, but obviously the electronics in these are all well over 30 years old, so some may have deteriorated, so I can't really do much about those, but anything else, particularly with the bodywork etc, I'll transfer the warranty on.

I didn't 'av nuffin to do with the 'Ornet and I'll fank you not to say uverwise!

[njmlondon]

That is a gorgeous collection and I wish I could buy the Wild Willy. Gut feel is those prices are a bit high for the market and rarely is the blood, sweat and tears rewarded, but I hope I am wrong and you get some good return on your work and effort. 

[GToddC5]

^ I'm thinking the opposite - the prices seem very fair to me, especially for those that can pick them up. IN fact, the Monster Beetle is a bit of a steal at that price. There's a couple on that list I'd love to add to my collection, but with shipping I'm afraid it would get to be too expensive for me.

[jonboy1]

36 minutes ago, njmlondon said:

That is a gorgeous collection and I wish I could buy the Wild Willy. Gut feel is those prices are a bit high for the market and rarely is the blood, sweat and tears rewarded, but I hope I am wrong and you get some good return on your work and effort. 

Don't say that! I bumped up my labour bill purely on the basis that I convinced @barneys66 that it would increase the value exponentially!! 

And just to be clear - I am in no way affiliated with @barneys66 and am not getting any commission or anything like that.

What I will say about the prices (and again, I've had nothing to do with the pricing. Full disclosure: Barney told me a while back he would be selling and offered me first refusal on any of them. Unfortunately I'm not really in the position to be expanding my collection any further, otherwise I would have bitten his hand off for a couple of them, but I did offer to assist with any details about the models as I know them "intimately") is that it's worth remembering that the big hitters in this collection all come fully and sympathetically restored, with period correct radio gear (in most cases unused and new from the box) and all kit boxes. Just look at ebay at the price a WW SWB box sells for - silly money!

Again with the Ranger, look at how much a windscreen and rear screen alone are going for, if you can actually find one. Again, a lovely condition grill - let alone a short front arch body (and it is an original "blue" driver - forgot to add that)

I think I now know what it would feel like to have my children rated at a pageant........ 

[barneys66]

Thanks for all of the comments guys, especially Mr JJ for adding some additional detail that this cranially deficient enthusiast can't possibly muster.

@njmlondon I deliberately priced them at the upper end of the spectrum, reassuringly expensive and all that, but am more than happy to listen to all offers, sensible or otherwise (my response will just be different ).  And yes, having been into restoring, modifying and racing 1:1 cars for most of my life I know that you rarely come out smelling of profit.  

@GToddC5 price of the Beetle duly increased!  Kidding.  But in all seriousness I'm just going off what I've seen selling on eBay over the years and even though it's always been one of my favourites I just don't see them selling for much more - must be the rere effect.

@jonboy1 you big fibber - you painted the Hornet driver!  Remove that and it halves the value..  Thanks again for the additional info, and the incredibly generous offer of aftercare - does that go for ex-owners too..? 

[Grumpy pants]

A gorgeous collection @barneys66.

You and I have very similar taste in Tamiya and I also know how thorough and skilful @jonboy1 restos are.

Hope the selling goes well and the new owners go onto to enjoy these classic Tamiya as much as you have 👍

[jonboy1]

you guys are too much @barneys66 and @Grumpy pants - you're gunna make me cry!! 

and @barneys66 you need never ask if my aftercare extends to ex-owners!!